Types of Surrogacy Pregnancy

Surrogacy pregnancy can be broadly two types – Traditional Surrogacy and Gestational Surrogacy.

Traditional Surrogacy – In traditional surrogacy, the egg utilized for the process of fertilization belongs to the surrogate, making a biological link between the surrogate and the child.
Traditional surrogacy is considered to be more complex and controversial than the gestational surrogacy. This is because of the fact that there is a biological relationship between the surrogate and the child that often complicates the matter in case the validity of surrogacy or parental rights is challenged. As a result, in most of the places, traditional surrogacy is banned.

Gestational Surrogacy – In the case of gestational surrogacy, the eggs from the intended mother is used or from the egg donor is used to fertilize with the sperm of the intended father or that of a sperm donor.
The embryos made are then transferred to the surrogate who carries the child until birth. In this case, there is no biological relationship between the surrogate and the child. Some lesbian couples find the option of gestational surrogacy attractive because of the fact that in this case, one woman can contribute the egg and others can carry the child until birth.

Therefore, surrogacy might include ART (Assisted Reproductive Treatment) such as In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) or Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) using –

The donor’s egg
The surrogate mother own egg
Egg of intended mother
Sperm from a sperm donor
Sperm of the intended father

Apart from traditional and gestational surrogacy, surrogacy can also be classified on the basis of the payment the surrogate is receiving in two types – Commercial surrogacy and Altruistic surrogacy.

Commercial surrogacy – In commercial surrogacy is when the birth mother or the surrogate receives payment for carrying the baby for the intended parents. Intended parents pay the fees or compensation to the surrogate apart from the required expenses during the process of surrogacy. Such type of surrogacy is allowed in many countries like the USA, Russia, Georgia, and Ukraine.

Altruistic Surrogacy – In an altruistic surrogacy, it is important to ensure that intended parents only pay or reimburse the actual surrogacy pregnancy cost to the surrogate.

Hopeful parents are required to pay the basic expenses that have been incurred during the process of surrogacy. Some of these expenses include –

Legal fees,
Clothing bills
Life insurance premiums
Travel fees associated with the medical appointments
Parking fees associated with the medical appointments
Medical expenses not incurred
Any other expenses incurred during surrogacy.

In many countries, those who have banned commercial surrogacy has paved way for the altruistic surrogacy. Some of them include Canada, Australia, and the UK. In altruistic surrogacy advertising the surrogate parent or commissioning the parent is not allowed generally.

Terms used for understanding Surrogate Pregnancy Meaning?

Surrogate – The woman who agrees to carry the child for the intended parents is termed as a surrogate.

Intended parents – The parents for whom the surrogate is carrying the child and to whom the child is handed over after the birth are known as intended parents. They can be single, married couples, or same-sex couples, who wish to build their families through surrogacy.

Egg Donor – In case you are opting for gestational surrogacy, using the egg of the other person other than the intended mother. That person is known as the egg donor
Sperm donor – The person who donates the sperm in the absence of the sperm of the intended father is known as the sperm donor.

Since surrogacy is a life-changing process for everyone, it is important to consult the legal partner of the surrogate, if she has one.

Surrogacy agreements for surrogate mother process

Surrogacy agreements are the most common and vital agreement in the process of surrogacy. Both the surrogate and the intended parents are required to sign this agreement before beginning with the journey of surrogacy pregnancy.

Most of the countries laws also demand surrogacy agreements signed duly by both the surrogate (and her civil partner, if applicable) and the intended parents. The contract includes the responsibilities of both the surrogate and the intended parents.

Eligibility criteria for the surrogacy pregnancy process

Not everyone can enter into the surrogacy agreements. Some states don’t allow foreign nationals to be a part of the surrogate agreement in their own country like India.

Some countries don’t allow single parents or homosexuals to be a part of the agreement. Georgia and Ukraine are examples of such countries.

Surrogacy countries like the USA allow most of the surrogacy agreements based on the state were surrogate mothers live.

While in some countries the surrogacy procedure all together is banned.

Also, not everyone can be a surrogate to anyone. In some countries, the surrogate has to be a friend or a family member.  While some countries freely allow anyone to be a surrogate. However, they have certain restrictions like age limit, having a baby of her own, and sound medical and emotional ability.

In countries like the UK, the parentage order is required to transfer the custody of the child from a surrogate mother to the intended parents. This process of parentage order differs in each state. In parentage order, it is important to have the consent of the surrogate in some states while it is not in case of the other states.

How Does Altruistic Surrogacy Work?

The process of surrogacy is generally the same for both commercial and altruistic surrogacy.

However, intended parents in altruistic surrogacy arrangements work with surrogate mothers who they know. An incredible amount of selflessness is required in altruistic surrogacy.  The women who volunteer their gestational services are usually siblings of the intended parents or other close friends and family members. But it is not true all the time!

Since the surrogate and intended parents already have found their match, this surrogacy arrangement is sometimes referred to as Independent Surrogacy.

Most of the altruistic surrogacy process is independent surrogacy, but not always.  This is due to the reason that sometimes intended parents have financial limits, and it is much easier for them to find a surrogate within family/friend and then take care of full program themselves.  This mean, no involvement of a surrogacy agency is there.

What Is the Cost of Altruistic Surrogacy?

Altruistic surrogacy arrangements are usually less expensive when compared to commercial surrogacy.

This is because the intended parents do not have to compensate the surrogate mother. However, despite these savings, there are important professionals fees like a reproductive attorney and medical procedure involved in the process. Besides this, other expenses that might impact the overall surrogacy cost of a gestational carrier.

Below given are some of the fees and services that might apply to altruistic surrogacy.

Medical and pregnancy expenses, such as artificial insemination or embryo transfer, fertility injections and the costs of labor and delivery

If a sperm or egg donor is needed, you will have to bear the donation fees
Counseling expenses
Attorney fees
Agency fees, if surrogacy agency help is taken.

Additional expenses including clothing, wages loss fee, maternity and travel costs to take the surrogate to and from her appointments

The costs of surrogacy also vary depending on where you are living, the law of the state and the cost of living. For a deeper understanding of the costs of surrogacy, it is best to discuss it with a surrogacy professional.

Pros and Cons of An Altruistic Surrogacy Arrangement

Advantages:

When compared to commercial surrogacy, altruistic surrogacy arrangements are less expensive as the intended parents do not have to pay surrogate mother compensation.
Altruistic surrogacy is legal in many countries, but such countries are a handful.
Intended parents feel much greater peace of mind in altruistic surrogacy arrangements as they know the surrogate mother personally.

Disadvantages:

Altruistic surrogates are generally close family members or friends. Intended parents who do not want to pursue identified surrogates may find it very difficult to find a match through a surrogacy agency

Altruistic surrogates may feel exploited or underappreciated at times. They may even feel pressured to enter upon a surrogacy arrangement to help their friends or family members. Sometimes these situations can lead to hampering the relationship shared by the intended parents and the surrogate mother.

When the surrogacy is not compensated for, intended parents might feel that they are not in total control of the process.

Altruistic surrogacy is not much promoted and easily available.  There is a long waiting list up to 1-2 years for such surrogate mothers.

Conclusion:-

Altruistic surrogacy can be a rewarding and incredible experience for everyone involved.

For the intended parents, it is the most cost-effective way to achieve their parenthood dreams. For surrogate mother, it is not a financial burden as most of the medical, work loss, and the miscellaneous fee is paid by the intended parents.  Still, she has to put a great amount of effort in term of time and discomfort.

So, what type of surrogacy is best for you?  It can be only answered by the hopeful parents as they need to evaluate their unique condition.

Similarly, for surrogate mother — navigating through the long and physically demanding pregnancy is not easy.  She should not decide based on the moment of emotions.  She needs to make an informed decision.