Intended parents research a lot before registering themselves for a surrogacy program. It is a crucial decision for them to for a surrogacy program, and even more crucial to find the best of it. They explore every option available to them depending on their fertility status. IVF treatment has developed a lot in the past decade. It has gained multiple dimensions with the implementation of cryopreservation and egg/sperm donation. Intended parents now have a wider range of options available for them to choose the best suitable program for their requirement. NewLife helps childless couples to navigate through these developments of surrogacy and assists couples to make the best choice.
We stand firmly with every intended parent right from the beginning of test trials till handing over the birth certificates to them. Our services include protecting their rights of parenthood and securing an appropriate birth order for them to receive a proper legitimate birth certificate. The legal documentation does not only include the surrogacy contract but the child’s birth certificate that has the mentions the intended parent’s name as the biological parents of the child.
Types of Surrogacy
There are primarily two types of surrogacy programs. These are:
Gestational surrogacy is when the intended parents use their egg and sperm for the In-Vitro-Fertilisation process and create an embryo out of it. The embryo is next introduced to the surrogate mother’s womb, to initiate the pregnancy. Successful pregnancy is followed by careful completion of the gestational period and ultimately completes it into a healthy delivery. Intended parents can use egg or sperm donors based on their fertility status. They can also go for frozen eggs or sperm and use them for their IVF trials. There are options even for using cryopreserved embryos that save both money and time.
Traditional surrogacy, on the other hand, uses the surrogate mother’s eggs for the purpose of fertilization. The process uses the surrogate’s eggs and the intended father’s sperm. In case the intended father’s sperm is not fertile enough, IVF consultants go for sperm donation where they avail sperm from a fertile donor. Irrespective of the fact that who owns the sperm, it’s the surrogate mother herself who supplies eggs for the traditional surrogacy procedure. She provides her ova in the fertilization process that uses the sperm of the intended father or a sperm donor. The procedure can be done through artificial insemination or In-Vitro-Fertilisation.
Legitimations Included In Traditional Surrogacy
It is utmost important for the surrogate mother and the intended parents to agree on the rights of the surrogate as well as the intended parents. Since the intended father gives his sperm to the procedure, he becomes the father of the child-to-be-born both biologically and legally. His name is mentioned on the birth certificate as the father.
Disadvantages of Traditional Surrogacy
The basic disadvantages related to traditional surrogacy are emotional and legal. At some stage of the surrogacy program, the agreements signed by both the parties may not be enforceable. In case of ant conflict raised in a matter of traditional surrogacy, judiciary system is always in the favour of the surrogate mother. The child born out of traditional surrogacy is genetically connected to the surrogate mother and laws are in every favour to it. The intended mother can only become the legal mother once she completes the step-parent adoption process with the surrogate mother’s consent.
At times some traditional surrogates feel difficult to hand over the baby to the intended parents. As she carries the baby in her womb for the entire period of gestation, she gradually connects emotionally to the child. We cannot even deny the fact that she has used her eggs for the purpose and, hence, feels a genetic connection with the child. Some surrogate mothers change their minds in the middle of the surrogacy program and take legal battles with the intended parents to gain the custody of the child. Such battles can be lengthy and painful. Hence, traditional surrogacy is a less chosen program for many intended couples. In case the intended parent wishes to go for a traditional surrogacy, they should go for someone with good track report. First timers in the surrogacy services often are fewer professionals and more emotional towards the baby. Experienced surrogates, who have delivered children out of surrogacy before, are more reliable as they take their service professionally. They involve themselves with a more professional attitude.
NewLife works with attorneys, who are specialised in this field to draft legal documents and design contracts between the two parties. A strong contract always offers lesser chances of legal conflicts. However, there remain chances of legal proceedings if the surrogate changes her mind in any way.
Intended Parents Reluctant To Go For Traditional Surrogacy
If we study deeply into the reason behind the intended parent’s reluctances in going for a traditional surrogacy program, we will come across the following struggles: