Having a Baby? Important Georgia Surrogacy Facts
Discover the facts on Surrogacy in Georgia. Couples that cannot have a child naturally, surrogacy is one option that helps them to have a family.
What is Surrogacy?
Surrogate mothers take two forms. The first is considered the “traditional surrogate.” When surrogacy first became available, it was done through artificial insemination.
Women who undergo this procedure today are considered to be traditional surrogates; they are implanted with sperm from the father. They go through the pregnancy and then give birth to the baby, after which the intended parents take the little one home.
It is important to note, however, that in this form of surrogacy, the woman that carried the baby and gave birth is the biological mother. Her egg was fertilized with sperm from the father. Occasionally, donor sperm is used.
There are also gestational surrogates. Through in vitro fertilization, an egg is taken from the mother, fertilized with sperm from the father, and then placed into the surrogate’s uterus.
The surrogate carries the baby and gives birth, but is not genetically related to the child in any way. Her egg was not a part of the process. In this case, the surrogate is referred to as the “birth mother” rather than the “biological mother.” The woman whose egg was harvested is the biological mother.
Gestational Surrogacy In Georgia
Gestational surrogacy is more clear cut. The parents that are going to raise the child are his or her biological parents.
Legally, that makes things simpler. Because of this, there are more gestational surrogates than traditional surrogates. Approximately 750 babies come into the world every year as a result of gestational surrogacy.
Why use a surrogate?
There are a number of reasons why a surrogate may be a woman’s best option. Perhaps her uterus is not functioning correcting.
Maybe she no longer has a uterus as a result of a hysterectomy. Or, she could have a medical issue that makes it very difficult (if not impossible) to get pregnant.
Some women decide to use a surrogate after trying to get pregnant through in vitro fertilization or other, similar techniques.
Surrogates also help couples that cannot form a family any other way, even through adoption. This is because they may be too old to be approved.
Also, sexual orientation and marital status can also be barriers to adoption.
For example, gay men can work with a surrogate to have a child. One man provides the sperm. The surrogate uses her own egg.
Once the surrogate gives birth to the baby, the little one goes to live with her new family. In addition, a gay couple could choose to use an egg donor for this process. That egg is inseminated with one of the men’s sperm and then the embryo is put into the surrogate.
How do you find a surrogate?
There are a number of ways to locate a surrogate in Georgia. Some couples use a woman in their family or a woman that they know. This can be tricky. However, surrogacy costs a lot of money and it can be legally complicated.
Therefore, using someone that you know to carry the baby is often the easier route. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine feels that some family relationships are suitable for surrogacy. However, they typically do not feel that surrogacy is right if the resulting child would have the same genes as a child that was a product of incest (resulting from a relationship from first-degree relatives).
There are also surrogacy agencies like Tomorrow’s Parents International. This is often how gestational surrogates are found. This Premier Georgia Surrogacy Agency help to facilitate the arrangement between the parents and the surrogate.
Parents contact the agency, which will then help locate a surrogate. They assist with making plans and handling money. For example, the surrogate is typically given money by the parents for her medical expenses.
Selecting a Surrogate
Regulations are not in place yet that determine who can and cannot be a surrogate. However there are a few guidelines that you should follow when picking someone to carrying your baby.
1. The surrogate must be 21 years of age or older.
2. The surrogate should have already had one child. This is because she will understand what it means to get pregnant. She will also understand how hard it may be to part with the baby.
3. The surrogate should have gone through a psychological screening to determine if she will be able to give the baby up after the pregnancy.
4. The surrogate should be okay with signing a contract that outlines her role, including the fact that she will seek out prenatal care and give the baby to the parents after the birth.
Working with a Surrogate In Georgia
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