For couples struggling with infertility or who are unable to conceive naturally, surrogacy is a viable solution and provides them with a chance to build their family.
The growing popularity of surrogacy, both domestically and internationally, is largely due to the increasing success rates, legal advancements, and emotional fulfillment that come hand-in-hand with this journey.
Let’s explore some of the top benefits of surrogacy and shed some light on why it really has become one of the preferred options for many aspiring parents.
1. A Biological Connection to the Child
One of the primary benefits of surrogacy is the fact that you can maintain a genetic connection to the child. Through gestational surrogacy, the intended mother’s egg and the intended father’s sperm can be used. Alternatively, donor sperm or eggs can also be utilized. This biological link is important to many and can create a deeper sense of attachment from the very beginning.
When it comes to adoption, no biological connection like this exists between the adoptive parents and the child. Surrogacy allows the intended parents to share genetic ties with their child while creating a bond that begins in the surrogate’s womb.
2. Surrogacy Offers Higher Success Rates
Recent advancements in reproductive technology have also greatly improved the success rates of surrogacy. This makes it a great option for those faced with infertility. By working with fertility clinics and surrogacy agencies, intended parents can increase their chances of a successful pregnancy. These clinics use in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques that enhance the likelihood of implantation and completing a healthy pregnancy.
3. Control Over the Pregnancy
Another reason many couples choose surrogacy is the control they have over the pregnancy. From selecting the surrogate mother to overseeing the surrogate and baby’s prenatal care, intended parents actively participate in the pregnancy process. They are also given the opportunity to choose a surrogate who aligns with their values and expectations.
Many intended parents attend medical appointments, ultrasounds, and prenatal check-ups with the surrogate, and this creates a stronger and more collaborative and supportive relationship. This involvement provides peace of mind and allows the parents to witness key moments in their child’s development.
4. Legal Protection for Everyone
Surrogacy offers clear legal protections that ensure the rights and responsibilities of everyone involved are established right from the start. Unlike some other methods of becoming parents, surrogacy agreements are detailed legal contracts that protect the rights of the intended parents and the surrogate. These contracts outline the financial, medical, and legal obligations and provide an outline of clear expectations for everyone.
In most cases, the intended parents’ names are added to the child’s birth certificate at birth, and there are legal frameworks in place to establish parentage. This process helps eliminate potential disputes that may arise.
5. Emotional Support From the Surrogate
Surrogacy provides emotional benefits for the intended parents as well as the surrogate mother. Surrogates often choose this path because they want to help couples experience the joy of parenthood. A shared goal like this creates a unique bond between the surrogate and the intended parents.
In many cases, you will also find that the surrogates are often incredibly empathetic and understanding, and this can help make the process overall feel less transactional and much more like a team effort.
6. A Solution for Same-Sex Couples
Surrogacy is also an option for same-sex couples who want to start a family. With the growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ families, surrogacy is an inclusive path to parenthood.
In countries where surrogacy is fully legalized for same-sex couples, the process provides legal security, ensuring that both parents are recognized as the child’s legal guardians. This legal clarity is so incredibly important for same-sex couples who might otherwise face obstacles in establishing parentage in other ways.
7. A More Personalized Journey to Parenthood
Another key benefit of surrogacy is the level of personalization it allows. Unlike other paths to parenthood, like adoption, surrogacy gives intended parents the opportunity to craft a family-building experience tailored to their specific needs and desires.
8. International Surrogacy Expands Options for Intended Parents
International surrogacy is often looked at as an incredibly attractive option for some because of the lower costs involved, more diverse legal frameworks, and a much wider pool of surrogate options. Countries like Ukraine and Georgia are popular for surrogacy and can offer more affordable services than you could find with domestic surrogacy options.
While international surrogacy isn’t without its own set of challenges, like navigating foreign legal systems, cultural differences, and travel logistics, many find that the benefits outweigh the possible complications. You will also find that countries that allow surrogacy have streamlined their processes for international intended parents and this makes it much easier to manage the entire experience from abroad.
As more couples face fertility challenges or alternative paths to parenthood, surrogacy continues to offer hope and can fulfill the dream of family for many who might not otherwise have the opportunity.