Types of Surrogacy

The most common type of surrogacy is a simple arrangement whereby a woman agrees to become pregnant by the biological father of the child. The surrogate is artificially inseminated (AI) with the sperm of the father. The surrogate donates her egg. The baby would be related to the father and not the mother. In this case, the mother becomes the parent through a step-parent adoption.

While this type of surrogacy is the easiest and most common, it is fraught with legal complications because the carrier is related to the child. It is much easier for the carrier to give the child to the parents if she is not biologically related.

The next type of surrogacy is called Gestational Surrogacy. This is a much more expensive process, but it allows the infertile couple to have a child biologically related to both mother and father. Egg and sperm are brought together in a clinical setting outside of the surrogate and then introduced through In-vitro Fertilization (IVF). And, the third type of Surrogacy is one in which the egg is donated by a third party not related to the surrogate. She may or may not be related to the couple. Again, the egg is fertilized by the sperm outside of the body and introduced through IVF.

Surrogacy is a wonderful option for couples who have no other options. Most surrogacy situations result in a happy outcome.

Dr. Christine Strong, NMD

If you would like a consultation with a fertility specialist, write to info@doctors-fertility-help.com

Types of Surrogacy