Infertility is the inability to get pregnant after one year of regular unprotected sex for women and six months for men. It can affect couples at any age, regardless of sexual orientation, race or socioeconomic background.
Infertility is not a disease or illness but rather a symptom of an underlying problem. For example, endometriosis causes infertility in some women by blocking fallopian tubes and causing scar tissue to build up inside the pelvis (uterus). In men, it can cause inflammation that makes it difficult for sperm to make it into the testes.
In either case, infertility is defined as failure to achieve a pregnancy within 12 months of unprotected intercourse.
Surrogacy is an option for couples with medical conditions that make conceiving a child difficult. It is usually preferred when assisted-reproduction techniques like IVF have failed to yield pregnancy. Surrogacy is also a popular option for same-sex couples who can’t have biological children together due to medical reasons.
Surrogacy is a process whereby a surrogate mother carries and delivers a baby for another couple. Surrogates are usually women who agree to carry a child for someone else. In some cases, they may have their own children or have never given birth. Surrogates can be paid for their services, although some are altruistic volunteers.
There are two types of surrogate mothers:
In traditional surrogacy, a woman who is not the biological mother of the child is artificially inseminated with the sperm of the intended father and carries the embryo to term. Once the pregnancy is complete, she gives birth to the child. While this type of surrogacy can be used for same-sex couples as well as heterosexual couples, it is also common in cases where there is a lack of genetic diversity within a family or when a couple wishes to keep their child’s paternity anonymous. The baby’s traditional surrogate is their biological mother.
A gestational surrogate is an egg donor who carries a pregnancy for another woman to give birth to. This can be done through in vitro fertilization (IVF), also known as artificial insemination. The IVF process involves removing eggs from the donor and fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory setting, then placing those fertilized eggs into the woman’s uterus so that she can carry them until they’re ready to be implanted into her womb.
Here are some of the common risks of surrogacy:
Owing to the mentioned risks, it’s important to take your time and do thorough research when finding a surrogate mother. Here are some tips:
Surrogacy is an emotional decision, and there are many things that can affect how you feel during and after the process. You should be aware of your emotions because it will help you make better decisions when considering surrogacy. If you are unsure or uncomfortable about any part of this process, it’s important to consult specialists before proceeding.
One of the key things you need to do is figure out how much money you can afford to spend on a surrogate mother. Because the cost of hiring a surrogate mother varies from one to another, it’s important to do some research before making any decision. Also, make sure that you understand your options and choose the best one for you.
Although it’s possible to find a surrogate who does not have any health issues, this isn’t always possible. Surrogacy can be stressful for both parties involved, so it’s important to make sure both parties are healthy enough to handle the process. If you plan on having a baby through surrogacy, make sure that your surrogate has been checked for sexually transmitted diseases and tested for HIV/AIDS before making an agreement with her. It is also a good idea to ensure the surrogate mother has done other health tests.
Surrogacy is a very personal decision, and the best way to make sure you end up with a surrogate mother that you’re compatible with is by talking to people in your life who have already gone through this process. Ask them what they thought of their surrogate, and how they were able to get along with her. It’s also important to ask them about any concerns or questions they had during their surrogacy experience so that you can avoid any pitfalls before getting started.
There are many different agencies that specialize in finding surrogates for both gay and straight couples. Some of these agencies will only work with clients who live in certain areas, so it’s important to make sure the agency has locations near where you live before signing up. You’ll also want to find out if the agency accepts insurance or offers payment plans, as these can make things easier when starting out with your search.
If you can’t conceive and other treatments have not worked, surrogacy can be the next best choice. However, again, it’s a long process that can be emotionally tolling. So, it’s good to consult your doctor and get the basic questions answered.
If you are indeed going this route, the doctor can offer you the right guidance, referring you to agencies and specialists. So, talk to them and weigh in all the pros and cons of this decision – and have a clear understanding of how the entire process will look.
In the end, know that surrogacy is very popular now and it could be the right option for you to start/grow your family.