Surrogacy: An Alternative Path to Parenthood
What Is Surrogacy?
A surrogate mother is a woman who carries a pregnancy on behalf of another individual or couple. This method is an alternative for people who are unable to conceive naturally. Surrogacy is a promising option for those who cannot carry a pregnancy due to medical, genetic, or physical reasons.
Surrogacy is divided into two types:
- Gestational Surrogacy: The surrogate mother is not biologically related to the baby. Through in vitro fertilization (IVF), an embryo created from the intended mother or donor’s egg and the intended father or donor’s sperm is transferred to the surrogate.
- Traditional Surrogacy: The surrogate uses her own egg to conceive the baby. However, this method is rarely used today due to ethical and legal concerns.
Who Needs a Surrogate Mother?
Surrogacy is an option for:
- Women without a uterus or with uterine damage
- People at risk of passing on genetic disorders
- Women unable to carry a pregnancy for medical reasons
- Single men who wish to become fathers
- Same-sex couples
How to Choose a Surrogate Mother?
Key criteria for selecting a surrogate mother:
- Good physical and mental health
- Having previously had a healthy pregnancy
- Willingness to comply with legal procedures
Additionally, laws regarding surrogacy vary from country to country. Countries like Cyprus, the USA, and Georgia are popular destinations for surrogacy.
The Surrogacy Process
- Application and Evaluation – Medical screenings for intended parents.
- Surrogate Selection – Medical and psychological assessments.
- Legal Procedures – Contracts between the parties are signed.
- Medical Procedures and Pregnancy – The IVF process is completed, and the embryo is transferred to the surrogate.
- Birth and Legal Custody – The baby is legally transferred to the biological parents.
