Couples can face many obstacles to starting their families, and infertility is one of them. Thousands of dollars are spent every year on fertility treatments and medications. Once all other options have been exhausted with no luck, some couples decide to hire a surrogate mother. This gives them the opportunity to have a child of their own despite infertility. A surrogate mother is most helpful when the father to be has a low sperm count, or when the mother to be does not produce many eggs or most eggs contained in the ovaries are aged prematurely, making it harder to conceive. In some cases, one of the parents-to-be may have problems with their reproductive organs such as prostate issues, or uterine cancer, making a surrogate a wise choice.
Surrogate Connection
A surrogate mother can serve as a wonderful source of emotional support since she is also experiencing this ordeal alongside the soon-to-be parents. Most couples looking for a surrogate prefer to ask family or friends, since there is already an emotional bond and connection. There is also the benefit of a surrogate's continued presence as the child grows. Other couples may find the continued presence after birth a little uncomfortable and choose to hire a surrogate through an agency. They will still enjoy the benefits of emotional support throughout the conception and pregnancy, without feeling that they have an obligation to have the surrogate as an active part of the child's life. According to Shared Journey, an online fertility resource site, it is a good idea to research your country's laws on surrogacy, as these often dictate how you are allowed to locate your surrogate.
Benefits to Surrogate and Parents
Surrogacy has been surrounded by controversy for years, however supporters can point out several benefits to the parents and surrogate. Benefits to the parents include the ability to have a child of their own, being deeply involved in the pregnancy and birth and a deep love for their baby, after the hard road to becoming parents. The surrogate can enjoy the feeling of giving happiness to this couple and experience the joy of bringing new life into the world. In some instances, couples may hire a surrogate to give their existing children a new brother or sister and the inability to physically do so themselves is not an option. These parents may have a child that is adopted or was carried for them by a previous surrogate, if the child is not biological.
How Surrogacy Works
Once a suitable surrogate is found, she will undergo fertility testing and evaluation. This will provide an air of relief for the couple, showing that one of the most difficult obstacles is now no longer an issue and they are one step closer to bringing home a new bundle of joy. After all tests are completed and the surrogate is approved, she will be artificially impregnated in one of two ways. For couples who are able to donate the sperm and egg, joining of the two is accomplished and the embryo is implanted into the surrogate's uterus via in vitro fertilization. If for some reason, the egg of the mother to be cannot be harvested or used, then sperm from the father is cleansed and implanted into the surrogate's body in order to fertilize one of her eggs, making the baby her biological child. Once pregnancy is confirmed, the parents may feel an overwhelming sense of enthusiasm and relief.
Legalities
According to Shared Journey, before the surrogate is impregnated, it is a wise to have a signed contract stipulating what is to be expected from all parties involved. This will also ensure that the surrogate agrees to sign over any parental rights to the parents. The parents will be financially responsible for the surrogate's medical care, living expenses, clothing, delivery costs, food and items for the baby once it is born. Most surrogates sign over parental rights with no problems and great enthusiasm at fulfilling a dream for a deserving couple. According to Dr. Betsy P. Aigen, an infertility specialist, a significant aspect of how the surrogate sees herself is that of being a mother and, by extension, enabling others to enjoy the pleasures of parenthood that they themselves have had considering that the surrogate has children of her own.
Motives
According to Dr. Betsy P. Aigen, surrogacy involves an act of giving that is personally meaningful to the surrogate, therefore surrogacy is not an act of selfishness in carefully chosen candidates. This is a wonderful benefit to the parents and surrogate, equally. The parents can rest assured that once the right surrogate is found, an emotional bond is formed and that this person is dedicated to fulfilling their wish of having a child. The surrogate can feel good knowing that she is giving a portion of herself to help this couple.
