The definition of a surrogate mother depends on the type of surrogacy used by the couple seeking a child. There's the traditional method of surrogacy where the egg is donated by the woman planning to carry the child. There's also the modern form of surrogacy, also referred to as gestational surrogacy, where the egg and the uterus are actually from two different donors.
Traditional Surrogate
A traditional surrogate is a woman who essentially donates both her egg and her uterus to gestate a child, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Sperm is first gathered from the male partner of the couple, and the surrogate is then artificially inseminated at a medical facility. Artificial insemination is a process of taking the secured sperm and inserting directly into the uterus or cervix where the egg can be fertilized.
Gestational Surrogate
A gestational surrogate is a woman who donates only her uterus to gestate a child. In this situation, the couple must secure donor eggs from a third party or from the female partner of the couple if she is unable to carry the fetus herself. The eggs are fertilized in the lab using the secured sperm and then implanted into the uterus of the surrogate through the process of in vitro fertilization, or IVF.
Features
In either type of surrogacy, a legal contract is created to not only guarantee surrender of the child after birth, but also establish certain parameters for both the surrogate and the expectant couple. For the surrogate, the contract typically stipulates prenatal care and diet as well as other health-related obligations, such as a cessation of smoking and substance abuse or consumption while pregnant. For the expectant couple, the contract often requires covering all medical expenses and could require other monetary obligations, such as special foods, vitamins and even clothes, depending on the state where the surrogacy takes place.
Benefits
The benefit of either type of surrogacy is ultimately to provide a child to a couple who is unable to conceive naturally. However, when a gestational surrogate is used, the woman carrying the fetus isn't genetically related, so couples seeking a child by this means tend to lean more toward this method. While the legalities are basically the same for both traditional and gestational surrogates, there is less fear involving the latter. This is largely due to the belief that gestational surrogates seldom seek to retain custody of the child. When the egg and uterus come from the same source, custody is typically given to the expectant couple over the surrogate.
Misconceptions
Surrogacy isn't necessarily a method for women to make money. Many states in this country forbid a monetary exchange between the expectant couple and the surrogate. There are still medical and legal expenses surrounding surrogacy, and gifts are sometimes given to the surrogate herself during the duration of the pregnancy, but money doesn't always exchange hands.
