5 Facts to Know About Using a Surrogate

For many women, the journey to parenthood is a long road filled with twists and turns as well as lingering disappointment and frustration. If you’ve been struggling with fertility issues and have been unable to achieve pregnancy, it may be time to consider using a surrogate. Before you begin the process, there are a few important facts you need to know.

5 important things to know about using a surrogate

A surrogate is someone who becomes pregnant with someone else’s baby, but there are two distinct kinds of surrogates: traditional and gestational. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine does not recommend traditional surrogates because it uses the surrogate’s own egg. By contrast, gestational surrogates receive a fertilized egg from the intended parents. In this case, the surrogate is not related to the baby she’s carrying. Here are 5 important facts about using a gestational surrogate:

1. Surrogacy completes families.
   For those who have struggled with fertility issues and those with medical conditions that make pregnancy unsafe, surrogacy can be the answer to years of unsuccessful attempts to create a family.
2. Using a surrogate will not prevent bonding with your baby.
   Intended parents may worry there will be difficulty bonding with their baby. Typically, the intended parents are present when the baby is born and are an important part of the birth plan, which includes skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible after the baby is born. Skin-to-skin contact is a true bonding experience for new moms and dads alike.
3. Working with a physician-led surrogacy program.
   While it may seem more convenient or cost-effective to work with a surrogate directly, or use an agency, a physician-led surrogacy program is the most reliable option. While some agencies can help you navigate surrogacy issues, physician-led programs can do all of that—plus, personally match intended parents with surrogates and provide guidance throughout the entire pregnancy.
4. Surrogacy is not legal in all 50 states.
   The United States is one of the most surrogacy-friendly countries in the world, however, there is no federal law providing uniform regulation. While states like California and Illinois have mandated gestational surrogacy a legal, regulated process, states like New York and Michigan specifically outlaw the practice. Be sure to check with your state regulations before beginning any surrogacy process.
5. Surrogacy involves few surprises.
   A legally binding contract outlining everyone’s expectations is negotiated and signed prior to the embryo transfer, so everyone will know exactly what to expect during the surrogacy process. A court order is also obtained prior to the birth of the child, confirming the intended parents’ legal rights to the child.

If you’re struggling with fertility and considering using a surrogate, please call the California Center for Reproductive Medicine. We are here to help answer any questions or concerns you have about the process.

If you’re struggling with fertility and would like to explore the possibility of using a surrogate to have a baby, please call CACRM at 760-274-2000. We have helped thousands of families achieve their dreams of having a baby, and look forward to helping you, too.

If you would like to be someone’s superhero and become a surrogate, please call 760-274-2000.