Pros and Cons of Surrogacy for Surrogate Mothers: A Comprehensive Guide
Surrogacy is a method of assisted reproduction that involves a woman carrying a pregnancy and giving birth to a child for another individual or couple. Surrogate mothers play a pivotal role in helping aspiring parents fulfill their dreams of having a child.
However, it is essential to consider the pros and cons involved in being a surrogate mother. Surrogacy is a controversial topic for both intended parents and surrogate mothers. A lack of information can make the surrogacy process intimidating and confusing to them. In this article, we will cover surrogacy pros and cons of surrogate mothers.
In general, gestational surrogacy is a life-changing experience for all. A surrogate mother brings a new life and happiness in the intended parent’s life. Still while doing this act of kindness, she should be aware of the risks and benefits of surrogacy for her. This decision of being a surrogate mother not only affect her life, but it touches the lives of her family as well.
Surrogacy Pros And Cons For Surrogate Mothers
Surrogacy Pros And Cons For Surrogate MothersSurrogacy, both traditional and gestational, offers certain pros and cons for surrogate mothers. Here are the advantages and disadvantages associated with being a surrogate mother:
So, here are some of the surrogacy pros and cons of surrogate mothers that he needs to be aware of beforehand.
Pros of Surrogacy for Surrogate Mothers:
1. Financial Benefits to surrogate mothers in the form of surrogate compensation.
Most women considering surrogacy know that they have the opportunity for base surrogate compensation. This compensation can often help a surrogate reach sizeable financial goals. Like paying off her student loans or putting a down payment on a house.
A surrogate mother compensation can serve as a substantial part of the motivation for becoming a surrogate. Also, pursuing gestational surrogacy will come at no financial cost to her, as intended parents will pay pregnancy-related expenses along the way.
2. Sense of Satisfaction that comes with helping a family.
Many women have dreamed of being a gestational surrogate and helping a childless couple. When they finally become surrogates, they can achieve these personal goals. There comes a sense of satisfaction that she is bringing a much-wanted baby into a loving family.
3. Lasting Friendship with intended parents.
Surrogacy is an intimate partnership between a surrogate and her intended parents, often for a year or more. Therefore, one of the common benefits of surrogacy is the opportunity to create a real, genuine friendship that can last for years. Even after the surrogacy process is complete.
Depending on your personal relationship with the intended parents, you may get to experience the joys of seeing the child grow which she has brought into the world.
4. Experiencing pregnancy makes many women happy
Many surrogates genuinely love the feeling of being pregnant. There are women who have already completed their family with no desire for another child. For them, one of the advantages of surrogacy is going through the pregnancy experience all over again. Further, they do not need to have the commitment of bringing a baby home at the end of those nine months.
5. Adequate legal protection for the surrogate mother is there
Gestational surrogacy agreements not only protect the parents. But, it also makes sure that surrogates’ legal rights are taken care of with prior agreed terms and conditions.
These surrogacy contracts ensure surrogate mothers clear financial benefits. Other aspects of pregnancy like a medical emergency or postpartum care are included.
More resources for the surrogacy journey:
Surrogacy pros and cons for intended parents.
How much is the surrogate mother paid?
Top 4 Cheapest Countries For Surrogacy That Parents Should Know (in 2023)
Surrogacy Cons for surrogate mothers:
On the other hand, there are some essential risks of surrogacy. It is required that surrogate mothers know the challenges before committing to a surrogacy process. Surrogacy is not right for everyone, and that’s okay. What’s important is that you make sure it’s right for you before moving forward.
If you’re thinking about being a surrogate, you should consider how you feel about these potential problems of surrogacy:
1. The commitment of time and effort
When you choose to become a surrogate mother, you are committing yourself to a year or more of working with your surrogacy professional and the intended parents until a baby is born.
This will take a lot of your personal time and effort. Furthermore, it will likely affect your ability to complete your responsibilities as a mother and an employee.
For example, consider the fact that you will likely be required to take fertility medications for months before transfer. You need to attend frequent doctor’s appointments before and during your pregnancy and communicate with the intended parents. All prospective surrogates should consider how this commitment will affect their personal lives — and how they will manage these responsibilities — before starting.
2. Medical and psychological screenings can take a toll on your body
As the medical aspect is involved in gestational surrogacy you should be prepared for a long and time-consuming screening process. It is a necessary part of any fertility treatment to have loads of injections, blood tests, and scans. For natural pregnancy, the process of conceiving is pretty easy, but with IVF, lots of testing is needed frequently.
Before becoming surrogates, women should feel comfortable undergoing extensive screening. This extensive screening is designed to make the surrogacy process safe for her and to have an optimum success rate.
3. Emotional complications that come with a long medical and hormonal process.
One of the possible issues with surrogacy is the potential for emotional complications. It is not just because a woman is giving birth to a child she can’t keep. But, because her surrogacy journey affects her relationship with her family and friends, too.
While most surrogates do not feel much emotional connection with the baby they’re carrying. Still, it can be emotionally trying to undergo the challenging nine months of pregnancy for a baby that is not yours.
4. Surrogacy is physically demanding
Like natural pregnancy, surrogacy pregnancy can be tiring for the woman’s body. The physical discomfort and inconvenience for nine months are not easy at all.
During this time, gestational carriers are required not to involve in any risky or strenuous physical activity that could threaten the pregnancy. Besides this, the surrogate needs to have regular appointments with the doctor for antenatal care.
5. Unseen complication during pregnancy or after the birth of a baby
Like any medical procedure, pregnancy and childbirth come with a certain amount of risk. The chances of complications are there in any pregnancy even if it is natural or IVF pregnancy.
It is advised that the surrogate mother discusses with her gynecologist about the potential risk she might expose to like loss of uterus or after birth complications in mother.
Read more about surrogate mothers:
What are the desirable ( not mandatory) qualities of surrogate mothers?
Top 12 surrogate mothers’ requirements
International Surrogacy- What All You Need To Know
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost? Everything You Need To Know (in 2023)
Conclusion
Surrogacy offers both advantages and challenges for surrogate mothers. It is essential for potential surrogates to carefully consider their motivations, emotional readiness, and personal circumstances before embarking on this extraordinary journey.
It’s crucial that surrogate mothers know all details of the surrogacy process. The pros and cons of surrogacy should be evaluated and understood before committing to this life-changing journey.
- Contacting a surrogacy professional can help to understand and make an informed decision.
- Join surrogacy forums for surrogate mothers, where experienced surrogate share their journey along with possible risks.
- Be part of the Facebook surrogacy group where many ladies openly share information with new would-be surrogates
- Do not take an impulsive decision. Opting for surrogacy is a big commitment for all parties.
- Get as much information as possible and make an informed decision.
If you’d like to learn more about IVF, Egg Donation, or surrogacy services globally, check out the rest of our website at IVF Conceptions. We offer legally secure and affordable surrogacy services to build families with love.
FAQ for Surrogacy Pros and Cons for Surrogate Mothers
What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is a life-changing journey where the intended parents and a surrogate come together to create a family when the intended parent is unable to do so themselves. The surrogate becomes pregnant with the intended parents’ baby with the help of a fertility clinic. After the birth, the intended parents have all legal parental rights, and the surrogate receives compensation.
Intended parents can be married couples struggling with infertility, same-sex couples, or single parents hoping to raise a child. They may choose surrogacy due to infertility issues, high-risk pregnancies, or other personal circumstances. Surrogacy provides them with the opportunity to have a biological child.
Women may choose to become surrogate mothers for various reasons, including 1. Helping intended parents fulfill their dream of having a child. 2. Making a positive impact on someone else’s life. 3. Finding personal fulfillment through the experience of pregnancy and childbirth. 4. Financial compensation for their services. 5. Having a previous positive experience with pregnancy and childbirth.
The legal rights of surrogate mothers vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific surrogacy arrangement. It’s crucial for both parties involved, the surrogate mother and the intended parents, to have a clear and legally binding surrogacy agreement in place to protect their rights and responsibilities. Working with experienced surrogacy professionals and legal experts is highly recommended to ensure a smooth and legally compliant process.
Resources Used:
https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/using-surrogate-mother
https://surrogacy.institute/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-surrogacy
