A fair premise to start with is: Is pregnancy safe? Surrogacy, like any other medical event or pregnancy, has the potential for complication and risk. This is why with the proper evaluation that an agency can provide for you, the selection of qualified surrogates, and careful monitoring before, during, and after childbirth it can be a safe and successful option for the intended parents to have their own children. Of course, beyond medical considerations, there are also legal and emotional risks, too.
Most surrogacy is usually done through gestational surrogacy rather than traditional (sometimes called genetic) surrogacy. In gestational surrogacy, there is no genetic link between the carrier and the embryo she carries. This is opposed to traditional surrogacy where the surrogate also uses her own eggs. Gestational surrogacy is the more commonly accepted and frequently used option today because it reduces many emotional and legal complications. It also allows the IVF process to perform genetic screening of the embryos, reducing the risk of passing genetic issues to the child.
As mentioned above, most surrogacy is done through IVF, also known as in vitro fertilization. IVF is also widely used outside of surrogacy and is accepted as a safe procedure with low medical risks. In gestational surrogacy, the resulting embryo from the IVF process is transferred into the surrogate’s uterus. After the transfer and with careful monitoring by the fertility clinic, the embryo will implant in the uterus of the gestational carrier and the baby will grow like any other pregnancy. Once pregnancy is established, medical care is transferred to an OB agreed upon by the surrogate and intended parents. This is usually an OB with whom the surrogate has already developed a relationship. There are inherent medical risks in any pregnancy and we always encourage gestational carriers and intended parents to talk to an OB about those risks.
There are also emotional risks in the surrogacy process. Most surrogates would agree that they do not emotionally bond with the surrogate babies they carry as they do with their own children, but they may experience some sense of loss after the child’s birth. Some of those feelings or losses may also involve changing relationships with the intended parents as they transition from having a strong bond during pregnancy to a stage where the intended parents are actively parenting ( and very busy with a new baby. !!) Working with an agency requires meeting with a mental health professional before starting the surrogacy process. This helps the gestational carrier know what to expect and understand that sometimes there are emotional complications during the journey.
As long as a lawyer is consulted and the proper legal steps are taken, the legal risks of surrogacy are low. The surrogate must live in a state where surrogacy is legal and all parties must be represented by an attorney experienced in assisted reproductive technology law.
It is important that you work closely with an agency to help minimize the additional risks that may come with the surrogacy journey. The agency can guide you through these risks and how to avoid or minimize them to make the surrogacy journey less complicated and safer for both the intended parents and the surrogate.
Overall, while there is low risk involved in surrogacy, the procedure, and legal aspects can be carried out safely and effectively with proper support.
If you’re thinking of becoming a surrogate yourself or need help growing your family with a gestational surrogate, contact us at brightfuturesfamilies.com with any questions or if you’d like to hear how we can help minimize any dangers that may come along the way.
