Surrogacy

The Path to Parenthood Through Surrogacy

Surrogacy has become a viable option for many infertile couples, particularly when a medical condition makes it impossible or unsafe for the intended mother to carry a child herself. Surrogacy allows these couples to have a biologically related child.

There are two main types of surrogacy:

Traditional Surrogacy: The surrogate mother provides both the egg and the uterus, making her the biological mother of the child. The sperm is from the intended father.
Gestational Surrogacy: This is also known as “full surrogacy” or “IVF surrogacy.” The surrogate mother carries a pregnancy for a couple, but the embryo is created using the egg and sperm of the intended parents (or donors). This means the surrogate has no genetic connection to the child she is carrying.

When is Gestational Surrogacy Recommended?

Gestational surrogacy may be suggested for women who:

Have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus).
Were born without a uterus (congenital absence of uterus).
Suffer from recurrent miscarriages that have not responded to other treatments.
Have had repeated failures with IVF treatment.
Have severe medical conditions that make pregnancy life-threatening, such as severe heart or kidney disease.

Selecting a Gestational Carrier

The selection of a surrogate mother is a careful process guided by specific medical and legal criteria. Key guidelines for selecting a surrogate include:

Age: The surrogate should be no more than 45 years old.
Health: She must be in excellent health and capable of carrying a full-term pregnancy.
Screening: She will undergo a full medical workup, including screening for sexually transmitted diseases, and a physical and psychological evaluation.
Legal Counseling: The intended parents and the surrogate, along with their spouses, will participate in legal counseling and sign a formal contract.