Many families that are unable to have children of their own consider surrogacy. Making that decision can be tough, though, and those who think about pursuing the process oftentimes find themselves feeling alone. However, recent studies show that families struggling with fertility worldwide have increased dramatically over the last several decades, and those rates are expected to continue to drop.
The study, which looked at data from 204 countries and territories from 1950 to 2021, extrapolated its data to 2100, finding that from 1950 to 2021, global fertility rates were cut in half. The fertility rate declined in all countries that were studied. In fact, only 94 of those countries were found to have fertility rates high enough to replace their aging populations. The study also found that by 2100, only six of those 204 countries and territories studied would have fertility rates capable of replacing and replenishing their populations.
We draw attention to this study to show that you’re not alone if you’re struggling with fertility issues. While that might be comforting to a certain extent, it doesn’t really go far enough to give you peace of mind. So, what can you do to find support while you pursue surrogacy?
Finding support during the surrogacy process
Most people who decide to pursue surrogacy do so after a long and oftentimes heartbreaking journey. They may discover that they’re infertile or they might lose a child, leaving them in an emotionally vulnerable position. But you can dampen the stress and uncertainty of the process by doing the following:
- Educating yourself: Knowledge is power. Read up as much as you can on surrogacy and how the process tends to play out. This can take the mystery out of your next steps and surrogacy altogether. This will alleviate your stress and give you confidence moving forward.
- Seeking therapeutic services: There are lot of emotions wrapped up in trying to bring a child into your family. It’s okay to seek out the mental health support that you need. A therapist could help you develop coping skills to deal with your struggles, which prove beneficial for years or even decades to come when you’re confronted with stressful situations.
- Having a financial plan: The surrogacy process can be much more expensive than people think. The stress of figuring out how to pay for it can take a toll. By developing a budget and a plan to pay for the surrogacy, you can put your mind at ease and allow yourself to focus on the surrogate and your child’s health.
- Finding a support group: There are several support groups out there to help you get through the surrogacy process. By engaging in one of these groups you may be able to find an outlet for the variety of emotions that you can experience.
- Focusing on the ultimate goal: It’s easy to get twisted up in the complexities of the surrogacy process. If you can remind yourself of the goal of bringing a child into your family, though, then everything else can be put into perspective and render it easier to deal with whatever challenges you’re facing.
You’re not alone going through the surrogacy process
Going through the surrogacy process can feel isolating at times, especially if you don’t have a lot of support from your family and friends. But there are a lot of people out there struggling with fertility and looking for a way to make their family whole. If you want to learn more about how to successfully navigate surrogacy, then we encourage you to continue to research the matter and seek answers to any lingering questions you may have.