Traditional and Gestational Surrogacy - Explained!

In the United States, approximately 1400 babies are born every year via gestational surrogacy? This figure is growing each year! Traditional and gestational surrogacy provides hope for intended parents who otherwise cannot have a baby via the ‘usual’ method. Many couples opt for surrogacy because they are unable to carry a healthy pregnancy. The reasons are often underlying health issues faced by the intended mother and or intended father, i.e., hysterectomy, infertility, multiple miscarriages, etc. Sometimes the couple’s sexual orientation might encourage them to seek surrogacy, i.e., a gay couple. Whatever the reasons might be, surrogacy offers a ray of hope for all intended parents.

What Are The Differences Between Traditional and Gestational Surrogacy?

Traditional Surrogacy

In this form of surrogacy, the surrogate mother provides her ova to make the child carry for the individual or parents-to-be. The sperm is obtained from either the intended father or donor sperm. Although the surrogate mother shares a genetic connection with the child, she must grant all paternal rights to the child she will be carrying to the individual or intended parents via a legal agreement before starting the surrogacy process. After the birth of the baby, the child is handed over to the intended parents.

Gestational Surrogacy

In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother carries the baby on behalf of the intended parent(s). The surrogate mother possesses no genetic connection to the baby she is carrying. A traditional IVF cycle is used to create embryos from the egg and sperm obtained from either the intended parents or donors. The embryos are then transferred or implanted into the surrogate’s womb. Women who agree to become gestational surrogates must sign a legal gestational surrogacy contract BEFORE engaging in this process. She must also agree to undergo a medical evaluation, treatment, and regular check-ups during her program. 

In vitro fertilization is used in both traditional and gestational surrogacies. Because the mother’s egg is used in the former type, she is considered the biological mother. In the latter type, the gestational surrogate is the birth mother because she carried the child to term. 

In both scenarios, once the baby is born, they are released to the intended parent(s). 

Traditional and gestational surrogacy is a complex legal process. It is greatly facilitated with the help of a surrogacy agency.

Get in touch with Rite Options today to learn more about surrogacy as an option for you.