What is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is all about the surrogate mother who accepts to be pregnant for another person or couple namely the intended parents. The procedure often entails either in vitro fertilization, that is, conception in a laboratory, or artificial insemination depending on the type of surrogacy opted.
Types of Surrogacy and How Does It Work
The two types of surrogacy are:
- Traditional Surrogacy
- Gestational Surrogacy
Traditional surrogacy: The surrogate woman’s egg is fertilized with donated or intended husband’s sperm. In this case, the surrogate is the biological mother of the child.
Gestational surrogacy: The rearing woman has an implanted embryo, artificial or naturally fertilized, but genetically not belonging to her, comes from the intended couple or an egg donor.
These types differ in genetic connection and the process involved. Gestational surrogacy is often preferred owing to the fact that it ensures that gestation and conception are done at different times lowering the incidence of both legal and emotional complications. Such a clear definition makes it simpler for all the participants.
Developing Pregnancy Responsibilities of Medical Providers in Case of Gestational Surrogate
In gestating surrogacy, the surrogate is made to be impregnated through an IVF procedure which is where the embryos are formed outside the body and then placed in the reproductive organ of the surrogate. The following is an overview of the activities that are conducted in the surrogacy process.
The Pregnancy Surrogacy Process – Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1 Initial Consultation
The intended parents along with the surrogate address goals, expectations, and miscellaneous issues in order to reach a common understanding as regards the surrogate undertaking.
Step 2: Medical Screening
A surrogate is put through a thorough medical history and medical examination to establish the reason for pregnancy.
Step 3: Egg Retrieval
The Couple hoping to have a baby or egg donor undergoes an ovarian stimulation cycle followed by an egg retrieval process to have capacitive eggs for insemination.
Step 4: Sperm Collection and Fertilization
Frontal Sperm from the intended father or donor is collected. Then the harvested eggs undergo in vitro fertilization where sperm is injected into them resulting in embryo formation.
Step 5: Embryo Transfer
One or more embryos are selected and transferred into the surrogate using a skinny tube called a catheter designed for that purpose. Normally the procedure is short and no anaesthesia is necessary.
Step 6: Pregnancy Confirmation
After a week has elapsed since the embryo transfer, a blood test that detects pregnant hormone levels or the absence of these is done. If any pregnancy result is positive, the pregnancy is confirmed by additional tests.
Step 7: Ongoing Monitoring:
Surrogate health and baby growth are examined with scheduled periodic medical sessions during the whole pregnancy.
Step 8: Legal Agreements
Legal instruments are drawn to restrict the rights and obligations of both parties with respect to parental status and other financial commitments.
Step 9: Delivery
The surrogate physically gives birth, and all the necessary papers are filed to change the maternity to the intended parents.
Step 10: Post-Delivery Care
All medical needs are catered for both the surrogate and the baby after delivery and after delivery, the surrogate has medical appointments for check-ups.
Who might have surrogacy?
Quite a good number of people turn to surrogacy especially if they are not able to get pregnant or even if they are not able to sustain a pregnancy. This includes:
infertile couples: They are couples who are unable to have children naturally owing to some illness.
same-sex couples: Particularly couples who are men and who are intending to have children.
single parents: This refers to a person who knows he or she needs a child but doesn’t have anyone to have a cow with.
women with medical conditions: Women unable to sustain a pregnancy because of physiological reasons.
How successful is surrogacy based on recent medical research?
The hope of a child through surrogacy genetically using mother and father or using the ova from a donor and the sperm from the husband has become a success, especially among Altruistic Surrogacy Fillers in many countries with the possibility of 5% vegan pregnancy. In gestational surrogacy, the rates of IVF procedures vary from 75 {%} to 95{%} depending on the advanced maternal age and better quality embryos et al. Traditional surrogacy’s operating success is more difficult to help since fewer examples are available and more legal issues emerge.
How do I go about getting a surrogate mother?
- Find and evaluate legitimate surrogacy agencies.
- Self-explanatory.
- Take a part in the agency's engaging matching of future surrogates.
- Engage in medical and psychological assessments for both parties.
- Enter into a legal contract specifying the terms of engagement and duties of the parties.
- If in gestational surrogacy, invasive transactions are made, then go on to embryo transfer as intended in that corrective mold.
One Step Away from Parenthood
Many women face emotional and physical challenges throughout the surrogacy journey, from the initial decision to trust the process to the complexities of medical treatments. At Kana Fertility Clinic, we understand these hardships and are here to provide unwavering support at every stage. With our expertise in surrogacy, we offer compassionate, personalized care to help you overcome these difficulties and move closer to achieving your dream of parenthood. From medical procedures to legal guidance, our dedicated team ensures a smooth and supportive experience. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you in building the family you’ve always hoped for.
Dr B.Priya Kalyani
MBBS., DGO, DNB (OG)
Senior Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist