Different Types of Surrogacy & Their Advantages

In broad, there are two types of surrogacy processes you can consider when planning to build your family. These are traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. However, depending on the many factors involved, there can be more than two types of surrogacy.

Let’s take a look at the different types of surrogacy, how they differ from each other and the advantages in each case.

General Surrogacy Types: Traditional Surrogacy Vs. Gestational Surrogacy

Traditional surrogacy is where the surrogate’s egg is used to produce the embryo of the baby she will be carrying. It takes place either via IVF or IUI.

As for gestational surrogacy, the egg of the Intended Mother is combined with the Father’s or donor’s sperm to create the embryo. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the Gestational surrogate’s womb. Physician’s Surrogacy solely offers the gestational surrogacy process.

Here are the variables to consider when choosing which type of surrogacy is best for you.

Traditional Surrogacy:

• If the Surrogate Mother is a family to one of the would-be parents, traditional surrogacy can offer a genetic connection that would have been impossible using a donor’s egg.
• If the parents are a gay couple, a single male, or an opposite-sex couple where the woman cannot use her own eggs, traditional surrogacy may also provide them the genetic link to the baby they so much desire.
• Traditional surrogacy may also be the best option for Intended Parents who are unable to find a “perfect” egg donor or are trying to lower their costs of surrogacy.

Gestational Surrogacy:

In the past, the only type of surrogacy available was traditional surrogacy. But over the last few decades, the surrogacy process using a Gestational Carrier has become the more commonly used of the two options as it allows both Intended Parents to be genetically related to the baby.

This type of surrogacy also helps prevent some emotional and legal challenges when a Surrogate is biologically related to the baby she is carrying.

• There are Surrogates and Intended Parents who are leery of the emotional and legal struggles of traditional surrogacy may want to go for gestational surrogacy. However, it is still important to have proper knowledge of how gestational surrogacy works and what this type of surrogacy process entails.
• The state in which the Surrogate Mother is residing may not allow traditional surrogacy. In that case, she and the Intended Parents will have to choose gestational surrogacy.
• Gestational surrogacy gives a lot of Intended Mothers the chance to be genetically related to their babies.
• Intended Parents who have embryos left from previous IVF treatments can use those to have children through gestational surrogacy.

Payment for a Surrogate: Altruistic Vs. Compensated

Another factor that determines types of surrogacy is the payment Surrogates get paid to carry the baby of the Intended Parents.

In compensated surrogacy, surrogacy payment also plays a vital role in the costs and expenses of surrogacy.

So how do you choose which one to go for? Below are some factors that may be applicable to your situation:

Compensated Surrogacy Process:

Compensated surrogacy is a surrogacy arrangement in which the surrogate gets paid a base amount for carrying the child. The compensation is more than the reimbursement for the expenses incurred during the pregnancy.

• The Intended Parents may not be “okay” to ask a family member or friend to be their unpaid Surrogate. In such a case, compensated surrogacy can help prevent the feeling of indebtedness that they might never be able to repay.
• For Surrogates and Intended Parents who are strangers before their matching, a commercial surrogacy protects the rights and interests of both parties involved in the surrogacy process.
• Surrogates in an altruistic surrogacy arrangement may feel aggrieved or taken advantage of during the process. Hence, a compensated surrogacy is the best way to go for women who are not sure how they would feel during pregnancy.

Altruistic Surrogacy Process:

In an altruistic surrogacy, the surrogate does not get any additional payments for her services.

• If the Surrogate’s state bans compensated surrogacy, she and the Intended Parents will need to pursue an altruistic surrogacy.
• For some Surrogates and Intended Parents who are related or friends, commercial surrogacy is not necessary. The lovely bonding between the Surrogate and the Intended Parent is enough reason to make her want to carry the baby without getting any monetary benefits.
• Since Surrogates don’t receive any additional payments, an altruistic surrogacy can help Intended Parents lower their surrogacy costs.

Where It’s Done: Domestic Vs. International Surrogacy

The surrogacy process can be completed in many countries all around the world. However, some countries have stringent laws regulating it. So, based on where you reside, you may have to choose between these types of surrogacy: domestic and international.

If you are living in the United States, domestic surrogacy may be the best option for you using a reputed surrogacy agency because of the comprehensive legal regulations that are in place. Remember, that surrogacy laws may be more restrictive or unclear in other countries.

If you reside outside the US, you need to check the surrogacy laws in different countries before deciding to go for international surrogacy.

Below are some reasons you may need to choose between these types of surrogacy:

Domestic Surrogacy:

• If your country allows and regulates surrogacy, it is often safer and less expensive to pursue this type of surrogacy.
• A domestic surrogacy gives Intended Parents and Surrogates the chance to meet regularly. Thus, they can build a relationship and easily keep in touch throughout the surrogacy process.
• This type of surrogacy also eliminates the legal processes that need to be done when bringing a child born abroad into the parent’s home country.

International Surrogacy:

• This type of surrogacy can be useful for Intended Parents who reside in a country that outlaws or restricts surrogacy. It is much easier and safer to complete an international surrogacy in a country with friendlier surrogacy laws, such as the United States.
• Surrogates carrying a baby for an abroad-based Intended Parent can get the compensation that can turn their life around. This is due to the favorable exchange rates and cheaper standard of living.

Conclusion

Now we know that every type of surrogacy has its own advantage and disadvantage. Sit down with your spouse, consider your situation, and decide which option is suited for you.

If you think an expert opinion is needed on what type of surrogacy to go with, contact Physician’s Surrogacy for a complimentary consultation today.

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