Many women can’t conceive due to different reasons, like a few women are born without a uterus because their Müllerian duct failed to develop during fetal development. Many women have a non-functioning uterus and have severe endometriosis. So in this case a surrogacy offers hope of parenthood to people who face medical and social issues.
This journey involves emotional, physical, and legal commitments from the surrogate. Although the experience can be rewarding, it is important to understand all the aspects of surrogacy before you proceed. This guide covers the surrogacy process from understanding surrogacy to carrying and delivering the baby. Let’s delve into them:
Understand Surrogacy
It is important to understand surrogacy to make informed decisions and ensure a positive experience. So, to become a surrogate, it is essential to know the legal, emotional, and practical aspects to avoid any difficulty in the future.
- Legally written contracts are very important to set out the rights and responsibilities.
- Physical and medical demands of pregnancy should be met.
- Psychological evaluations are part of your eligibility screening for readiness.
- Financial considerations for a smooth and positive experience
Meet Surrogate Requirements
Before becoming a surrogate, eligibility is assessed to maximize the health and ability of the surrogate to safely experience pregnancy. Some general eligibility criteria differ slightly from agency to agency and from country to country, but in general, eligibility is very similar.
Typical eligibility criteria include:
- Age between 21 and 40 years old.
- No major complications with pregnancies in the past.
- Healthy lifestyle (no smoking, no drugs).
- Physically fit and mentally fit.
- A supportive home environment.
When the surrogate meets requirements, it protects the surrogate and the intended parents throughout the surrogacy process.
Matching with Intended Parents
Once medical and legal clearances are done, the next step is finding the appropriate intended parents. Matching is one of the most critical steps, as it informs how smoothly the relationship develops and the pregnancy journey progresses.
- Personal interviews and sharing of preferences.
- Background check for all parties.
- Counseling to explore compatibility.
- Legal agreement outlining responsibilities and expectations.
Relationships are built on good communication, respect, and shared values, and a good match means that all parties are beginning the surrogacy process with the goal of a positive surrogacy journey.
Begin Your Pregnancy
After a successful match, the process of transferring the embryo begins. In gestational surrogacy, medical steps generally include fertility treatment and embryo transfer through in vitro fertilization.
Pregnancy Preparation:
- Hormonal treatment (for example, estrogen and progesterone).
- Regular visits to the fertility clinic.
- The embryo transfer procedure.
- Monitoring for successful transfer.
This process requires a commitment to following the medical provider’s instructions to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Carry and Deliver the Baby
This is the longest and most physically tiring stage of surrogacy.
- Consistent prenatal care and healthy habits.
- Consistent updates to the intended parents.
- Psychological and emotional support.
- It includes everyone’s preferences.
At the end of the pregnancy, when the baby is born, the surrogate will hand the child over to the intended parents while closing a very rewarding journey of altruism and care.