Guide to the Key People in A Surrogacy Journey

Surrogacy is a remarkable technique that has given numerous couples and individuals throughout the world hope and helped them realize their goals. It is a selfless act in which one person carries a child for another, establishing a unique bond and the possibility of family formation. But do we know the people involved in surrogacy? 

Surrogacy entails a person agreeing to bear and give birth to a child on behalf of another person. Following the birth of the child, the birth parent transfers custody and guardianship to the intended parent or parents.

In this article, we will look at numerous aspects of surrogacy, such as its definition and historical context, as well as the function of the surrogate mother and the people involved in surrogacy.

In this blog, we will learn

• History of surrogacy
• Types of surrogacy arrangements
• Surrogate mother
• Intended parents
• Surrogacy agencies
• Medical professionals
• Legal experts

History Of Surrogacy

Surrogacy has been practiced for thousands of years, with evidence documented in ancient civilizations such as Babylon and Egypt. The modern concept of surrogacy as we know it now, on the other hand, arose in the 1970s. Surrogacy has changed substantially since then, both legally and ethically, as society realizes the value of reproductive choice and different family configurations. 

Types Of Surrogacy Arrangements

Traditional Surrogacy: In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother conceives the child using her own eggs, making her the biological mother. This approach uses artificial insemination to fertilize the surrogate’s egg with the intended father’s sperm.

Gestational Surrogacy: Gestational surrogacy, also known as complete surrogacy, comprises the implantation of an embryo made from the genetic material of the intended parents or donor eggs and sperm. The surrogate mother carries the child but is not biologically connected to him or her.

Let us now take a look at the individuals that are involved in surrogacy.

People Involved In Surrogacy

1.  The surrogate mother

The surrogate mother plays an essential role in the surrogacy process, providing a loving environment for the developing fetus and guaranteeing the well-being of both the child and the intended parents.

a). Responsibilities of the surrogate mother

A surrogate mother is responsible for carrying the pregnancy to term as well as leading a healthy lifestyle that promotes the growth of the unborn child.

She has several medical procedures, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), to aid in conception, and she has regular medical check-ups to evaluate the pregnancy’s progress.

b). Screening process

To protect the physical and emotional well-being of all parties involved, being a surrogate mother entails a thorough qualification and screening process.

Surrogates are subjected to a series of medical tests, including fertility tests, genetic testing, and psychiatric exams. They must also meet certain age, health, and lifestyle requirements.

2.  The Intended Parents

Intended parents are people or couples who wish to have a child and seek the aid of a surrogate mother. They come from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances, but they are united in their goal to have a loving family.

a). Responsibilities of intended parents

Intended parents are people who want to be legal, loving parents to a child delivered through surrogacy. They offer emotional and financial support throughout the surrogacy procedure, developing a close relationship with the surrogate mother and actively engaging in the pregnancy process. Their function is not just to produce genetic material, but also to foster and nurture the child’s future development.

b). Emotional and legal considerations

The decision to pursue surrogacy as intended parents entails important emotional and legal considerations. They may feel a variety of emotions, such as enthusiasm, hope, and anxiety. Intended parents must address their mental well-being and seek support from counselors or surrogacy support groups.

Intended parents must navigate the complex legal environment of surrogacy laws and regulations. The legal process entails creating and signing contracts, establishing parental rights, and assuring compliance with applicable local, national, and international laws.

c). Types of Intended Parents

Heterosexual Couples: Heterosexual couples who are infertile or have medical issues that impede natural conception frequently turn to surrogacy to achieve their ambition of becoming parents. They can use their own genetic material or seek the help of egg or sperm donors to make embryos.

Same-Sex Couples: Same-sex couples, whether male or female, use surrogacy to acquire biological parenthood. With advances in reproductive technology, same-sex couples can choose to use their own genetic material or work with donors to develop embryos for implantation.

Single parent: Surrogacy can be used by single people who want to start a family but do not have a partner. Surrogacy allows them to experience the pleasures of parenthood while also providing a loving environment for their child.

3.  Surrogacy Agencies And Facilitators

Surrogacy agencies and facilitators are crucial in assisting intended parents throughout their surrogacy journey. They provide direction, resources, and expertise to guarantee a smooth and successful experience.

a). Responsibilities of surrogacy agencies

Surrogacy agencies serve as go-betweens, matching intended parents with surrogate mothers and offering extensive support throughout the process.

They help with the matching process, perform legal and administrative duties, and provide emotional support to both intended parents and surrogates.

Surrogacy agencies are critical to the safety, legality, and ethical conduct of surrogacy arrangements.

b). Services offered by surrogacy agencies

Surrogacy agencies provide intended parents with a variety of services, including:

• Assisting with surrogate mother selection and screening
• Medical appointments, fertility treatments, and embryo transfers must all be coordinated.
• Managing legal contracts and ensuring adherence to applicable legislation
• Counseling and emotional assistance for prospective parents and surrogates
• Facilitating financial arrangements and surrogacy-related insurance coverage

c). Selecting the right surrogacy agency

The choice of a surrogacy agency is essential for the intended parents. It’s critical to do your homework and think about things like the agency’s reputation, experience, success rates, support services, and ethical practices.

Intended parents should conduct detailed consultations with potential agencies, inquiring about their approach, processes, and fees in order to make an informed decision.

4.  Medical Professionals In Surrogacy

Surrogacy is a complicated process that necessitates the expertise and assistance of numerous medical professionals. These professionals, ranging from reproductive endocrinologists and obstetricians to embryologists and genetic counselors, play an important role in directing and supervising the surrogacy process.

Surrogacy medical specialists serve as an important backbone, providing specialized care and knowledge throughout the surrogacy process. Their major goal is to assure the surrogate mother’s physical well-being and to enable the successful conception, birth, and delivery of a healthy child.

a). Reproductive endocrinologists

Reproductive endocrinologists are fertility specialists who play an important role in the early phases of surrogacy. They evaluate the fertility of the intended parents and recommend the best course of action, which may include fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other assisted reproductive technologies.

To increase the odds of a healthy pregnancy, reproductive endocrinologists regularly monitor the ovulation and hormonal cycles of both the intended mother and the surrogate mother.

b). obstetricians and gynecologists

Surrogate moms receive extensive prenatal care from obstetricians and gynecologists throughout their pregnancy. They monitor the surrogate’s health, administer routine check-ups, and assure the surrogate’s and the developing fetus’s well-being.

Obstetricians and gynecologists also play an important role in the delivery process, ensuring that the intended parents’ child is born safely and healthy.

c). Embryologists and fertility specialists

Embryologists and fertility specialists are experts in laboratory techniques and assisted reproductive technology treatments. In the IVF procedure, they are in charge of the creation, evaluation, and selection of embryos.

To improve the chances of successful embryo implantation and subsequent pregnancy, embryologists collaborate closely with reproductive endocrinologists.

d). Genetic counselors

By diagnosing and educating intended parents about the possibility of inherited genetic disorders, genetic counselors provide vital assistance and counseling.

They provide comprehensive genetic testing and counseling services to assist intended parents in making informed decisions about embryonic genetic screening or other pertinent genetic factors.

5.  The Legal Experts

Legal experts, in addition to medical professionals, play an important role in surrogacy, ensuring that all legal concerns and obligations are adequately addressed. They provide advice, experience, and the appropriate legal documentation to safeguard all parties’ rights and interests.

a). Role of attorneys in surrogacy

Surrogacy requires the services of attorneys who specialize in reproductive law. They help intended parents and surrogate mothers understand the legal framework, establish contracts, and address any legal issues that may emerge.

Attorneys are critical in establishing parental rights, assuring the enforceability of surrogacy agreements, and navigating any legal issues along the way.

b). Legal considerations and contracts

Surrogacy requires legal considerations to protect the rights and interests of all individuals involved.

Attorneys collaborate extensively with intended parents and surrogate mothers to prepare thorough legal contracts outlining each party’s rights, obligations, and expectations.

Compensation, medical decision-making, confidentiality, and parental rights are all covered in these contracts.

c). International surrogacy laws and regulations

International surrogacy frequently entails navigating complicated legal terrain. Surrogacy lawyers educate intended parents on how to navigate the complexities of international surrogacy laws and regulations.

They advise on surrogacy-friendly jurisdictions and assist in ensuring compliance with relevant legislation in order to achieve a seamless and legally secure process.

Conclusion

Several crucial individuals collaborate throughout the surrogacy process to make the intended parents’ desires a reality. Intended parents, surrogate mothers, medical professionals (reproductive endocrinologists, obstetricians, gynecologists, embryologists, and genetic counselors), and legal specialists (reproductive law attorneys) are the major participants. Everyone contributes to the success and well-being of everyone concerned.

If you’d like to learn more about IVF, Egg Donation, or surrogacy services globally, check out the rest of our website at Complete Surrogacy. We offer legally secure and affordable surrogacy consulting services for FREE.

Our team has over 13 years of experience facilitating surrogacy arrangements, egg donation, and serving as an advocacy resource for infertile couples and LGBTQ individuals seeking to build families.

Our founder and chief surrogacy consultant, Neelam Chhagani, passionately help couples struggling with fertility challenges. Since starting our surrogacy consulting agency in 2013, we’ve helped welcome over 500 babies for intended parents nationwide.

Our team includes experts from diverse backgrounds with leading reproductive attorneys, professionally trained top fertility doctors, former surrogacy case managers, experienced and kind surrogate mother and egg donor coordinators, mental health professionals specializing in infertility counseling, and a logistic support team to assist you in your chosen surrogacy country.

For more resources on IVF and Surrogacy, browse our other web page- IVF Conceptions.

FAQs for People Involved in Surrogacy

Q1. In surrogacy, what types of intended parents are there?

Ans. Intended parents can be heterosexual couples, same-sex couples, or single people who want to be loving and supportive parents.

Q2. What is the role of reproductive endocrinologists in surrogacy?

Ans. Reproductive endocrinologists are reproductive specialists who diagnose and treat fertility disorders, advising intended parents on the best course of action.

Q3. What function do genetic counselors have in surrogacy?

Ans. Genetic counselors examine the risk of inherited genetic diseases, advising and counseling prospective parents on genetic testing and other associated issues.

Q4. What role do attorneys have in surrogacy?

Ans. Reproductive law attorneys assist intended parents in navigating the legal issues of surrogacy, such as contract preparation and preserving the interests of all parties involved.

Q5. What are the legal implications of surrogacy?

Ans. Establishing parental rights, resolving financial arrangements, and assuring compliance with surrogacy laws and regulations are all legal factors in surrogacy.

Recommended Reads

• How to find the perfect professionals for your surrogacy
• Involving your parents in your surrogacy journey

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