Surrogacy Treatment is an assisted reproductive process in which a woman (the surrogate) carries and delivers a baby for another person or couple (the intended parents), typically due to medical or personal reasons that prevent the intended parents from being able to carry the pregnancy themselves.

Surrogacy is often chosen when there are fertility issues, health risks to the intended mother, or other personal reasons, such as being in same-sex couples or having a medical condition that prevents carrying a pregnancy. There are two main types of surrogacy: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy.

Types of Surrogacy:

1. Traditional Surrogacy:

   • In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother is also the biological mother of the child because her own egg is used in the fertilization process. This means she is genetically related to the baby.
   • Typically, the sperm of the intended father or a sperm donor is used to fertilize the surrogate’s egg via artificial insemination (IUI).
   • Traditional surrogacy is less common today due to the emotional and legal complexities that can arise from the surrogate’s biological connection to the child.

2. Gestational Surrogacy:

   • In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries a baby created through in vitro fertilization (IVF), but she has no genetic link to the child. The egg used is from the intended mother or an egg donor, and sperm is typically from the intended father or a sperm donor.
   • The fertilized embryo is then implanted into the surrogate’s uterus, where she carries the pregnancy to term.
   • Gestational surrogacy is the most common type of surrogacy used today, and it is preferred because the surrogate is not genetically related to the child, simplifying legal and emotional concerns.

The Surrogacy Process:

1. Initial Consultation and Decision:

   • The intended parents and the surrogate (if found) meet with a fertility specialist, lawyer, and sometimes a psychologist to understand the emotional, medical, legal, and financial aspects of the surrogacy journey.
   • The process may involve determining whether to use the intended mother’s egg or a donor egg, and whether the intended father’s sperm or donor sperm will be used.

2. Screening of the Surrogate:

   • The surrogate undergoes medical, psychological, and background checks to ensure she is physically and emotionally prepared to carry a pregnancy.
   • The fertility clinic typically performs a comprehensive health evaluation, which includes reviewing the surrogate’s reproductive history, general health, and lifestyle factors.
   • Psychological screening is also essential to ensure the surrogate is emotionally ready for the process, as surrogacy can be an emotionally complex experience.

3. Egg and Sperm Retrieval:

   • If using the intended mother’s egg, her eggs are retrieved through a process called ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval. If using a donor egg, the donor undergoes the same process.
   • Sperm is collected from the intended father or a sperm donor.

4. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF):

   • The eggs are fertilized in the laboratory using sperm from the intended father (or donor sperm) via IVF.
   • The fertilized embryos are cultured for a few days, and then one or more healthy embryos are selected for transfer into the surrogate’s uterus.

5. Embryo Transfer:

   • The chosen embryos are transferred into the surrogate’s uterus using a catheter. This procedure is minimally invasive and usually done under ultrasound guidance.
   • The surrogate may need to undergo hormone treatment to prepare her body for the embryo transfer, including taking medications to support implantation and early pregnancy.

6. Pregnancy Test and Monitoring:

   • After the embryo transfer, the surrogate will be monitored with blood tests to determine if the embryo has implanted successfully.
   • If successful, the surrogate will undergo ultrasounds to monitor the development of the pregnancy.

7. Pregnancy and Birth:

   • Once pregnancy is confirmed, the surrogate continues prenatal care with regular medical checkups.
   • Throughout the pregnancy, the intended parents are involved and can attend doctor visits, and the surrogate may have regular communication with them.
   • After the birth, the intended parents legally assume custody of the baby, and the surrogate’s role in the process concludes.

Legal Considerations:

• Contracts: A surrogacy agreement is a legally binding contract between the intended parents and the surrogate. It outlines the responsibilities, rights, and expectations of all parties involved, including financial compensation, health care, and post-birth arrangements.
• Parental Rights: Legal procedures may vary by country or state, but typically, parental rights are transferred to the intended parents after the birth. This may involve a pre-birth order or post-birth adoption process.
• International Surrogacy: Some countries have more lenient surrogacy laws, leading intended parents to seek surrogates abroad. It’s essential to understand the legal implications and citizenship issues in these cases.

Costs of Surrogacy:

Surrogacy can be expensive, and the costs can vary depending on the country, type of surrogacy, legal fees, medical costs, and compensation for the surrogate. Common costs include:

• Medical expenses (IVF, medications, doctor visits)
• Surrogate compensation (for her time, health, and commitment)
• Legal fees (for contracts and parental rights)
• Agency fees (if using an agency to find a surrogate)

Costs can range from $50,000 to $150,000 or more in some regions, and they are typically divided between medical procedures, surrogate compensation, and legal services.

Ethical and Emotional Aspects:

• For the Intended Parents: Surrogacy is often a deeply emotional process, as the intended parents may have been through infertility treatments or other struggles to conceive. Establishing a strong emotional bond with the surrogate and understanding the complexities of the process is crucial.
• For the Surrogate: Being a surrogate is a significant emotional and physical commitment. The surrogate must be prepared for the complexities of carrying a baby for someone else while managing her own emotional connection to the pregnancy and the child.
• For the Baby: While the baby is biologically related to the intended parents (if gestational surrogacy is used), the emotional connection between the surrogate and the child is important and must be handled carefully, with clear communication.