One of the most beautiful gifts someone can give is the gift of being a surrogate mother. This process allows a family a chance to grow and exist because of the selflessness and sacrifices made during the process. Below is everything you need to know about surrogate pregnancy and what you can expect if you choose this process for your family.
What is a surrogate pregnancy?
A surrogate pregnancy is when a woman offers her womb to carry a child for another family. The egg that is fertilized can be her own, making her an egg donor, or she can be injected with an already fertilized embryo. The latter means that she will not share any of the DNA with the baby but will be its life source until the baby is born. Couples who are not able to carry naturally or who have health concerns can turn to surrogates as a way to have their babies for them and take care of the child after birth.
How long does a surrogate pregnancy last?
The process of being a surrogate starts with a consultation with the parents of the baby and will continue until after the baby is born. Some will stop the relationship once they leave the hospital, and others may have a relationship where the surrogate pumps breast milk for the next few months as nutrition for the baby. According to Elevate Baby, a California agency that helps women interested in becoming a surrogate, the average surrogate process can range between 12 and 13 months.
Is surrogate pregnancy popular?
Most women who become surrogates do this to supplement their income. Those surrogates for strangers will make a contract and adhere to the outlined contract while acting as a surrogate. These conditions are met with a payment, and it can be a significant amount of money because it requires the full use of her body during this time. This can impact traveling, working conditions, and other parts of life until the process is over and the baby is born. Thousands of women will apply to be surrogates annually because they believe they can make this commitment.
Are there requirements to be a surrogate?
Companies that connect surrogate mothers with couples who need a surrogate have some requirements for the women selected. These requirements are in place to keep the surrogate mom and baby healthy throughout the pregnancy. To be considered, surrogate mothers must be under the age of 40 and have a clean bill of health from their doctor, with no history of underlying diseases that can impact a pregnancy. These women must also have had at least one healthy pregnancy and be raising that child. Other things that are considered include a history of mental illness and criminal history, which can disqualify an applicant.
It isn’t a secret that some women suffer from mental illnesses after pregnancy, approximately 10%. When seeking out a surrogate mother for families who need the absolute best miracle, this is important, as a family might struggle with a surrogate who will have issues with separation from the baby following the birth. If a woman has a history of drugs, severe alcohol, or illegal substances being found in their body, they will also not be considered, as this is a risk that most families aren’t willing to take.
The last requirement will be citizenship status. You either have to be a citizen or a permanent resident with no risk of deportation. This all has to be checked before applying to be a surrogate and getting assigned to a family.
Are you ready to grow your family?
The beauty of a surrogate pregnancy is one that’s magical and offers a type of selflessness that is hard to match with other acts. While there is financial gain in this process, the knowledge of the good they are doing for families is enough to change a surrogate’s life forever. There are many ways to grow your family in 2024, and surrogacy is a viable option for those who need assistance on their pregnancy journey.