To have kids is everyone’s dream but sometimes it is not possible due to fertility issues. So, people go for surrogates. Traditional surrogates and gestational surrogates are two kinds of surrogates that are commonly found in practice. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate undergoes procedures such as at-home insemination or artificial insemination with sperm from the baby’s father or donor sperm. Followed by this, the baby will grow in that female’s placenta and after childbirth, it is yours. In gestational surrogacy, IVF is used. In this technique, the eggs from the mother and sperm from the father are taken. Both are fertilized and the resulting embryo is implanted into the uterus of a gestational surrogate.
Finding a Surrogate
You can easily find a surrogate mother in your locality. First, you can search for one in the family and friends. It would be very easy to manage with a known surrogate mother. The other option is asking for help from a surrogacy agency. You can find a surrogate and get the agreement signed with the help of an agency. Additionally, it collects any charges that are transferred between you and the surrogate, such as covering their medical bills.
How to Choose a Surrogate?
There are no restrictions on who can serve as a surrogate mother at the moment. But there are several areas where experts can agree on how to choose one. While choosing a surrogate mother, consider the following;
- The female is at least twenty-one years older.
- Have experienced at least one safe birth, which allows them to have firsthand knowledge of both the emotional challenges of bonding with a newborn as well as the medical concerns associated with pregnancy and labor.
- Have passed a psychological evaluation conducted by a mental health expert to identify any concerns about giving up the infant after birth.
- Sign an agreement outlining their obligations during the pregnancy, such as providing prenatal care and giving you the child after it is born.
Legal Perspective of Surrogates
Followed by a surrogate pregnancy, parental rights are not necessarily secured. As reproductive technology and the fundamental idea of what it means to be a “parent” evolve, the law also changes.
The matter of surrogacy is not covered under federal law, and state laws may differ. In some states, you are required to successfully navigate the adoption process after a surrogate pregnancy in order to obtain legal possession of the baby. While some other states’ law suggests that you can avoid having to “adopt” the child by making a “declaration of parentage” before the baby’s birth.
To defend your rights as parents-to-be — and the rights of the baby you are trying to have — employ an attorney who is well-experienced in reproductive law in your state. For example, you may search for california surrogacy agencies if you are based in California. They can draught a surrogacy agreement that outlines exactly what each party must do.
Such a contract could be useful if post-birth legal complications arise. Additionally, it can include agreements for a range of potential outcomes for the pregnancy, such as what would happen in the event of twins or triplets.
