For most couples, having their own children to raise is the pinnacle of family life. Unfortunately, there are many who have difficulty or are outright unable to make this dream come true.
Conceiving a child can be a truly complex process for some, as it requires optimal physical health for both parents to successfully conceive, Much responsibility is placed on the mother-to-be, who is expected to carry the child to full term. Sometimes, however, challenges at the fertilization stage prevent pregnancy. There are also cases when the mother is not physically able to go through pregnancy because of certain health complications. It’s also possible that the father’s sperm cannot survive the uterine environment, thereby preventing successful fertilization.
Thanks to modern technology, there are now alternatives for couples to try and bring their own offspring into the world. One of these alternatives is through the use of a surrogate.
What is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is the process of artificially inseminating an egg, usually of the intended parents or the couple, into the womb of a third party. This third party, or the surrogate, will then be the one to carry the baby into its full term and will be handed over to its biological parents.
Agencies play a very important role in facilitating the transaction between the intended parents and the surrogate. They are the ones who help the couple find surrogates who suits their needs and preferences best. These agencies also establish rules and policies that can serve as a foundation for their business arrangement. At the same time, they also have to make sure that the best interests of the intended couples, as well as the proper care for the surrogate mother, are protected.
Finding a Surrogate
Couples who are considering surrogacy for the first time may find it awkward to have to look for a person who will carry their child into the world. That’s why they often turn to a close friend or a family member as possible surrogates. What these couples fail to realize, however, is that there are stringent requirements before a woman can be deemed as an ideal surrogate.
Prospective surrogates undergo thorough physical, mental, and emotional tests to determine their fitness for the purpose. Background checks are also made, and even an inspection of where the surrogate lives and the kind of environment she’s in will all have to be considered. These are, after all, crucial elements to having a safe and healthy pregnancy, which is ultimately for the benefit of the baby.
Ideally, the surrogate is also someone who has already carried at least one pregnancy. At least she would already have knowledge and appropriate expectations of what’s going to happen throughout the duration of the pregnancy. She’s been through it before, so she would know more or less how to handle another one.
Becoming Intended Parents
On the part of the intended parents, or the couple who will be providing the fertilized egg to the surrogate, they will have to commit to ensure the safety and well-being of the surrogate. Prenatal care, check-ups, treatment, and even certain lifestyle needs will have to be taken care of by the intended parents. These will have to be explicitly stipulated in a contract to ensure a well-defined arrangement between the two parties.
In cases of a delicate pregnancy, some couples may even opt to have the surrogate live with them for the duration of the pregnancy just to make sure that they can keep a close watch and tend to all her needs. Both parties are also advised to go through counseling to better process and work through the situation together.
Surrogacy, ultimately, involves teamwork between the intended parents and the surrogate all for the benefit of successfully bringing a child into this world. You can get started on this process with the help of professional agencies like Tomorrow’s Parents International.
Sources:
My Journey to Using a Surrogate. HarpersBazaar.com.
Lucy Lui Welcomes a Baby: 4 Reasons Why Couples Use Surrogates. LiveScience.com.
