The Benefits of Gestational Surrogacy
By this point, you’ve probably learned that there are two main types of surrogacy available: traditional and gestational. Now comes the decision of which path to take. Determining which type best fits what you and your partner are looking for when it comes to building your family. As with everything, there are pros and cons to each type. For one, you’ve no doubt learned that one type is used more often, while the other isn’t always favored.To better help with your decision making process, Virginia Frank is here to tell you more about gestational surrogacy. We find this to be the best option when it comes to helping intended parents grow their family. That said, let’s explore some of the amazing benefits that gestational surrogacy can offer you.
More Commonly Used
One of the biggest draws and benefits of gestational surrogacy is how often it’s used in surrogacy circles nowadays. It’s been estimated that about 1400 babies are born each year through gestational surrogacy. What’s more, surrogacy itself is becoming a more popular option for intended parents who cannot conceive or carry on their own. Whether that’s due to infertility, a series of miscarriages, or other medical and health reasons, gestational surrogacy is offering intended parents a glimmer of hope.
Having this type of surrogacy as familiar, too, provides a sense of comfort for intended parents who are entering into the process. Gestational surrogacy less complicated than its counterpart, traditional surrogacy.
Biologically Related to Intended Parents
For prospective and hopeful parents, this particular benefit of gestational surrogacy is a big one. The decision between having a child who is biologically related to you versus one who isn’t can make all the difference in the world. Surrogacy, especially to otherwise infertile couples, is their last chance at having a child who is genetically connected to them. It is also often the choice the prospective parents make before trying adoption.With gestational surrogacy, both prospective parents donate their respective sperm and egg. After it’s been fertilized in a lab, the resulting embryo is implanted into the chosen carrier via in vitro fertilization (IVF). The Gestational Carrier then carries the baby to term and delivers him or her to the intended parents.
Friends and Family can Carry
Choosing who will carry your child is not an easy decision, and can be overwhelming to intended parents. Especially the thought of finding a complete stranger to act as a gestational carrier. But a nice benefit of gestational surrogacy is that intended parents have the ability to enlist a trusted friend or family member to carry for them. This means that, if you truly wanted her to, asking your mother, for instance, isn’t out of the question. A grandma carrying her grandchild sound too far-fetched? It’s actually been done before.Rest assured that your agency will carefully screen whoever you choose. They will require your chosen carrier to undergo physical and medical exams, and will meticulously screen her emotional wellbeing. So, when considering which friend or family member you want to ask, it would be a good idea to be mindful of this aspect as well.
Same Sex Friendly
Despite how incredible it would be, two men or two women cannot conceive a child on their own. Additional ingredients are required. For a gay couple, an egg donotation; for a lesbian couple, a sperm donor. Then, of course, each couple needs to select a gestational carrier to carry their child until birth. Because LGBT families are becoming more recognized and commonplace in society, gestational surrogacy has become a viable option for gay and lesbian couples seeking to build a family.One of the benefits of gestational surrogacy is that it welcomes everyone. Same sex couples are able to have both of their names on their child’s birth certificate as well. Your chosen surrogacy agency will guide you through the process, and help match you with a gestational carrier who would be happy to help you.
High Success Rate
The most current data regarding surrogacy success rates dates back to about 2016. Because it’s an ongoing process, and there are many aspects involved, statistics will always be a good 2 or 3 years behind itself. However, the national data that we do have strongly favors gestational surrogacy. It shows overall that the live birth rate when using fresh donor eggs is at 64 percent, while using frozen eggs is at 42 percent. When frozen embryos are used, the live birth rate is at 51 percent.Age can affect the success rate of gestational surrogacy. Your doctor and agency will have additional in-depth information on this for you, so be sure to consult with them for more specific details.