Understanding The Gestational Surrogacy Process

The gestational surrogacy process is one of the most intricate and transformative paths to family-building for many individuals and couples. Knowing how the gestational surrogacy process unfolds is directly related to knowing what to expect throughout the journey.

Through surrogacy, parents can have biological children despite infertility or other reproductive challenges by relying on a surrogate mother to carry the pregnancy. Unlike traditional surrogacy, the surrogate in gestational surrogacy has no genetic connection to the child she carries.

This option gives individuals and couples struggling with infertility the opportunity to have their genetic material transferred to a woman who will carry and deliver their child.

The Gestational Surrogacy Process: First, What Is Gestational Surrogacy?

Gestational surrogacy is a method of assisted reproduction where the intended parents create embryos via in vitro fertilization (IVF). One of the mother’s eggs is fertilized by one of the father’s sperm (or donor sperm/egg).

The resulting embryo is then transferred to the uterus of the surrogate mother, who carries the pregnancy but has no genetic link to the child. This is one of the most popular routes to parenthood for couples struggling with fertility or single individuals who want to become parents.

In some cases, the surrogate’s own egg is used, but in a true gestational surrogacy process, the child is genetically related to the intended parents, not to the surrogate. This process may sound highly complex, but the structure it provides has made it a sought-after fertility solution.

As with many reproductive technologies, it is important to think about everything involved in the surrogacy journey, including the steps and emotional and financial commitments it demands from everyone involved.

The Initial Steps of Gestational Surrogacy

The first step in the gestational surrogacy process is usually that of finding the right match. Both the intended parents and the surrogate need to go through a number of evaluations.

Intended parents will usually want to find a surrogate who knows the challenges and commitment of carrying a pregnancy for another family, and who has a healthy medical history.

On the other hand, surrogates need to have had successful pregnancies and be in good overall health.

After a surrogate is matched with the parents, medical testing is done to verify health and make sure everything is in order. Once both parties are ready, the next step is to initiate IVF, where the donor’s (the intended mother’s) eggs are harvested and fertilized by the father’s sperm, creating embryos.

These embryos will then undergo genetic screening (where applicable), and once ready, the embryo will be implanted into the surrogate’s uterus.

Matching with a Surrogate

In the gestational surrogacy process, one of the most important aspects is finding a surrogate who is comfortable with and committed to the process. The process of matching intended parents with surrogates requires open communication and mutual respect.

Many intended parents begin by working with a surrogacy agency to find an appropriate match. An experienced agency will conduct interviews, run background checks, and help match intended parents with surrogates who meet all medical and psychological criteria.

This partnership is important not only for the success of the surrogacy but for the long-term comfort and satisfaction of both sides.

A big part of the matching process also involves setting clear expectations and working through the intended parents’ and the surrogate’s goals and concerns. For instance, how much involvement should the surrogate have during the pregnancy? What happens if complications arise?

Such open conversations build a healthy, communicative relationship where both sides feel heard and understood.

Legal Considerations in the Surrogacy Process

One of the most important aspects of the gestational surrogacy process is the legal side. Before any medical procedures begin, it is critical to have a legal agreement that outlines the roles, responsibilities, and rights of each party.

The legal contract must address everything from compensation and expenses to parental rights, responsibilities, and health care decisions. Additionally, it must address what happens in cases of complications, such as the surrogate developing a medical issue or the intended parents’ inability to care for the child.

This agreement protects all parties involved, particularly the surrogate and intended parents. A lawyer experienced in reproductive law typically drafts this contract.

Although some surrogacy arrangements are straightforward, others require extra attention to detail. This is especially true when dealing with cross-state or international laws.

A major concern in the gestational surrogacy process is establishing parental rights. When the baby is born, the legal parentage must be established so the intended parents become the legal parents. They will have all rights to the child.

In some jurisdictions, a pre-birth order can be granted that assigns the child’s legal parents before delivery.

IVF and Embryo Transfer

Once the legal agreement is in place and the medical testing has been completed, the intended mother’s eggs will be harvested, or an egg donor will be chosen. The eggs will then be fertilized by sperm from the intended father or a sperm donor.

This is where in vitro fertilization (IVF) comes in, and many parents experience the excitement and tension of waiting for successful fertilization and embryo creation.

These embryos are then examined for genetic health. For some parents, embryo screening and selection are important steps to help provide for the embryos’ health. After this, the embryos are ready for transfer into the surrogate’s uterus, where one of them will hopefully implant.

A successful pregnancy means that the surrogate will carry the pregnancy to term, but the intended parents are the legal parents.

Surrogate Mother Benefits and Rewards

There are obvious surrogate mother benefits during and after the surrogacy process. For many women who choose to become surrogates, the greatest reward is the fulfillment of helping someone become a parent when they couldn’t otherwise.

This altruistic motivation is powerful. Because surrogates can carry and deliver a child, they know they are changing the lives of the intended parents in profound ways.

Financial compensation is another thing to consider. Many surrogates are compensated for their time, effort, and risk. Plus, they receive funds for covering expenses related to the pregnancy, such as maternity clothes, travel, and medical care not covered by the intended parents.

The compensation differs based on the agency, the surrogate’s experience, and other things like the location and complexity of the process.

A surrogate may also feel a sense of community and accomplishment, particularly if she develops a deep bond with the intended parents during the process. Being part of such an intimate journey often brings about lifelong friendships, as many surrogates stay in touch with the families they helped create.

Pregnancy and Medical Care for the Surrogate

During the pregnancy, the surrogate mother will undergo regular medical appointments to monitor the baby’s health. These appointments will include ultrasounds and blood tests to monitor hormonal levels and help assure a healthy pregnancy.

The medical care is of the utmost importance to the success of the pregnancy, and any issues such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure will be treated immediately.

The gestational surrogacy process emphasizes that both the surrogate mother and the intended parents receive emotional and psychological support as they go through the pregnancy journey. Many surrogacy agencies offer counseling, helping both parties process the experience and stay connected with each other throughout the pregnancy.

Birth and Post-Birth

When it comes time for delivery, the focus will remain on the well-being of both the surrogate and the baby. The surrogate is emotionally and physically prepared for the labor and delivery process, and most surrogacy contracts address the expectations surrounding the birth.

This includes who will be present in the delivery room, and how the transition to the intended parents will take place immediately after birth.

Once the baby is born, there will be a legal process where the intended parents are named the legal parents. Depending on where the surrogacy takes place, this could happen immediately after birth or require a post-birth order. In many cases, the baby goes home with the intended parents right from the hospital.

The relationship between the surrogate and the family often progresses after the baby is born, with some surrogates maintaining relationships with the families they helped create. Many surrogates find the experience so rewarding that they remain in touch with the parents and the child they helped bring into the world for many years.

Simple Surrogacy, LLC – A Partner You Can Count On

At Simple Surrogacy, we recognize the complexities of the gestational surrogacy process and are committed to assisting both intended parents and surrogates. With more than 20 years of experience, we have become a trusted leader in the surrogacy field.

We take great care in sourcing only the most qualified surrogate mothers, and we make sure intended parents feel supported throughout the process.

We work to create a smooth and successful experience for everyone involved, from legal arrangements to matching with the right surrogate, medical care, and post-birth support. Our dedicated staff is here to assist with a successful and fulfilling journey into parenthood for our clients, while also valuing the role that surrogates play in making these dreams come true.

If you have any questions about the gestational surrogacy process, feel free to get in touch with us today.

We are here to answer any of your questions and guide you through every step. Our agency is committed to making the journey as smooth and successful as possible for everyone involved.