Tag: infertility and postpartum depression

Benefits of Surrogacy For Everyone Interested

Want to learn more about the features and benefits of surrogacy?  Is it something you’ve considered for starting your own family?  Or perhaps you would like to know more about helping someone else by becoming a surrogate?  Read on to learn more about how surrogacy works.

Benefits of Surrogacy for Everyone Interested
*This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that we only work with companies and individuals that we trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.

Surrogacy is an agreement that includes a woman (the surrogate) that decides to carry and give birth in place of another person or a couple (the intended parents).

Surrogate mothers also receive many benefits on their surrogacy journey, and if you decide to become a surrogate, you will not only help other people to become parents but you will also be paid and get different benefits to support you on your surrogacy journey. Surrogate moms are of much value to couples that can’t conceive on their own or would choose this option for some other reason maybe, but it is never a simple decision to make.

What is Surrogacy?

As mentioned in the beginning, surrogacy is an agreement, but it also involves complex medical procedures from start to finish. Yet, it is a process that brings tremendous joy to the intended parents and puts a surrogate mother on the amazing journey of a lifetime that can benefit her and intended parents alike. Life is being created as a result and this is a great result of the surrogacy journey.

The Definition of Surrogacy

Surrogacy is a process where a person agrees to carry a child for another couple. Usually it happens because the couple can’t have children, but they may also opt for a surrogacy solution because of some other aspect of their lives that is affecting them.

Surrogacy agreement, should one be initiated, is supported by a legal action to make it valid in law terms. It is because of the importance and complexity of the surrogacy process that it is covered by rules and regulations that help to define relations of all the parties involved.

The Surrogacy Process

Surrogacy Controversy

Some controversy about using a surrogate to have a baby still exists, and everyone should be aware of this. The legal requirements can be complex and they can be vastly different from country to country and from state to state (if you are from the US).

Nevertheless, whether it’s because of health problems or other highly important factors, surrogacy could still be the best option for you and your loved partner depending on your life situation.

Benefits of Surrogacy

Depending on the particular life situation of both surrogate and intended parents, there are different benefits for everyone involved. Some of the common ones are:

    • High success rates. Modern surrogacy process ensures that the surrogacy journey is healthy and secure for everyone involved.
  •  
    • Intended parents keep genetic connection to their child. There are intended parents that feel the need to have a biological connection to their children, and gestational surrogacy can make it happen.
  •  
    • Since it is a common practice for the surrogate and the intended parents to make a legal agreement, everyone’s responsibilities and obligations are known in advance which secures clear conscience for everyone.
  •  
    • Surrogate’s experience of pregnancy. While pregnancy is certainly a burden on the body, it also presents an amazing journey of bringing a new life into the world.
  •  
    • Compensation and other financial benefits. Surrogates also get compensated for being surrogates and they usually receive numerous financial benefits such as medical procedures fees, monthly allowances, pregnancy clothes reimbursements and possibly many others depending on the agreement.

How Much Do Surrogate Mothers Get Paid?

How much a surrogate mother gets paid will vary greatly depending on where in the world you live. Of course in some parts of the world surrogacy is not even allowed, so it is better to gather as much valuable info on it as possible before you decide to opt-in.

For the US locations, a rough estimate of base payment is from $30,000 to $60,000 and on top, you can add remuneration for other costs and expenses a surrogate mom has. All of this will depend on many aspects of your particular surrogate journey, so if you are interested it is better to contact an actual agency where you can get a more precise estimate.

How to Improve Your Pelvic Health During Pregnancy

Do You Need to Hire a Surrogacy Agency?

The surrogacy process is a complex process from biological, psychological, medical, and legal points of view.

Usually, it is better to hire a certified agency that can help everyone involved through each stage of the surrogacy process. Agency personnel will consist of professionals from different backgrounds, who will readily assist all surrogacy activities from start to finish.

They can help through every aspect, from medicinal and psychological to legal, and prepare for surrogates a benefits package that will almost always include various forms of compensation and other important help.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many valuable benefits that both surrogates and intended parents can have from going through the surrogacy process. For surrogates that includes a life changing experience of carrying a child and also different benefits, including financial compensation. For intended parents, the birth of their child may very well be the most precious thing that they could have ever imagined.

Author Bio

Andrea is the Founder and Director of the Surrogacy Center of Philadelphia. She entered the world of assisted reproduction over twenty years ago as a three-time egg donor. The experience profoundly impacted her, and she maintains contact with her recipient families to this day. Andrea started the Hawaii Surrogacy Center, which is the leading provider of surrogacy services in her home state. Upon relocating to Pennsylvania, she sought to provide the same warm and highly personalized service to families in the Greater Philadelphia region. 

IVF Surrogacy: What Is It and How Does It Work? 

IVF surrogacy is becoming a common option for people who cannot carry a pregnancy but wish to share a genetic connection with their babies. Every year, thousands of children are born in the US through the surrogacy process. But what exactly is IVF surrogacy, how and how does it work, and who needs it? Let’s find the answers to these questions.

IVF Surrogacy
*This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that we only work with companies and individuals that we trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.

What is IVF surrogacy?

IVF surrogacy is an arrangement in which the surrogate mother agrees to carry and deliver a pregnancy for a couple or individual who cannot do so on their own. The process is an inseparable part of gestational surrogacy. In the IVF process, eggs and sperm from the intended parents or donors are “mixed” in the lab to create the embryo. The embryo is then transferred into the womb of the gestational surrogate, who carries the baby to term. 

Who uses IVF surrogacy?

People who often take this rewarding path to parenthood include:

    • Heterosexual couples who are struggling to get pregnant
    • LGBTQ+ couples and individuals
    • Single parents
    • Intended mothers who cannot carry a pregnancy
    • Intended parents who don’t want to pass a hereditary condition to their babies 

Miscarriage: Moving on Doesn't Mean Forgetting

Steps involved in IVF surrogacy 

Step I: Meet with your physician

The first step in the IVF surrogacy process is to schedule a consultation with a fertility specialist. This will allow you to discuss your surrogacy goals, preferences, as well as your personal and family medical history.   

Step II: Look for an egg or sperm donor

The next step is to find someone who will provide the egg or sperm for IVF (if you are not using your own genetic materials). 

Step III: Embryo Creation

The IVF egg retrieval and fertilization are performed in the lab to create embryos. The embryo is frozen until the surrogate is ready for the transfer procedure. 

Step IV: Find a surrogate mother

You will look for a surrogate mother that suits your needs and circumstances and according to surrogate mother cost. Once you have found the right surrogate, your surrogacy agency will complete all the necessary paperwork to ensure the rights of both parties are protected during the process. 

Step V: Complete embryo transfer

The embryo will be placed in the surrogate mother’s womb to achieve a pregnancy. Two weeks after the embryo transfer, a blood test is conducted to check if conception has occurred successfully. 

Step VI: Take the baby home

Once the gestational carrier gives birth to the baby, she will hand him/her to the intended parents, who would finalize the legal paperwork for parenthood and go home with the new baby. 

Newborn Sleep Training
.

IVF surrogacy costs 

Couples and individuals pursuing IVF surrogacy can expect to pay between $100,000 and $150,000. However, the cost may vary based on certain factors, such as the surrogate’s state, the fertility clinic you choose to work with, services required during the surrogacy, etc. 

The costs of IVF surrogacy can be divided into surrogate compensation, fertility clinic fees, legal fees, and agency fees. The agency fees usually cover all the services needed to ensure a successful surrogacy journey, including background checks, screenings, advertising, matching, support, and counseling. 

Conclusion 

IVF surrogacy is an exciting way to build a family. It gives intended parents the chance to have biological children, regardless of their age, sexual orientation, or background. People who may consider IVF surrogacy include infertile couples, single individuals, LGBTQ people, etc.

Author Bio

Natalie Bowes, B.A. (Integrative Physiology with focus on Endocrinology, Immunology, and Microbiology) Intended Parents Coordinator and Educator at fertile.com.

Natalie looks after the hopeful parents walking through the doors of RSMC and makes sure their parenthood journey progresses smoothly and successfully. Her past patient care experience and academic feats allow her to help intended parents understand every aspect of IVF journey. She loves staying active and enjoys hiking, yoga, and reading.