4 Questions about Surrogacy for Infertile Couples

Surrogacy for infertile couples can be a turning point in their journey to parenthood. We want to help you achieve those goals.

Infertility creates a long and emotional journey for many couples. From doctor appointments to infertility treatments to money spent, we know there are so many hurdles you’ve overcome to try to create the family you’ve always dreamed of.

To get more information about how the surrogacy process can benefit you in your unique situation, reach out to a surrogacy professional today.

Deciding on surrogacy for infertile couples can be a turning point in their journey to parenthood. The choice to go through the surrogacy process may be a big decision, but we’re here to help you choose if surrogacy is right for you. If you’ve been struggling to decide what the best next steps are for you and your family, we urge you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is surrogacy right for you and your partner?

Making decision to move on to a new chapter can be difficult. It may mean giving up on another way of trying to have a child that you had put a lot of hope into. Surrogacy for infertile couples may be something to pursue on their journey to parenthood. Deciding to begin another route to becoming parents can be challenging both emotionally and physically. If you’ve been going through fertility treatments and shots and constantly checking in with your body, it can sometimes feel like a relief to move on from strict and strategic treatments. Talk with your partner and discuss if this feels like the right move for you.

2. Are you ready for someone else to carry your child?

This can be difficult, especially for intended mothers, and that is 100% understandable. Know that however you feel about it is valid. If you’ve been going through infertility struggles, talking to a therapist may be something you’re already doing. But talking out these thoughts with a professional can help if you are choosing to pursue surrogacy. Discuss what surrogacy options for infertile couples can do to help you achieve your goals.

3. Do you have embryos left over from fertility treatments?

A large decision intended parents have to make when it comes to surrogacy is whether they are going to use their own egg and sperm or a donor’s. If you have already been through fertility treatments like IVF and you have embryos left over, you can use those for surrogacy. This also means that your treatment for the IVF process can still help you achieve your goals. Choosing to transfer one of these embryos to a surrogate can give you a potentially higher chance of a positive outcome.

4. Is becoming a parent more important than being pregnant?

If being pregnant is your goal, surrogacy may not be right for you. Talking to your doctor will help you understand if that is a possibility you can keep trying for, or if you should pursue other routes. Depending on the circumstance, some doctors may recommend surrogacy for infertile couples. If you are at a point in your infertility struggles where you just want to have a baby and be a parent, surrogacy can be a great option.

Surrogacy is a huge commitment, and one we do not take lightly. We want to help you achieve your goals of starting a family through surrogacy for infertile couples. You’ve been through enough and we want to be the last stop on your journey to parenthood. Choosing surrogacy after infertility is a big step and we’re ready to help you get started. Reach out to a surrogacy specialist today.

Can I Be a Surrogate if My Tubes are Tied?

If you’ve been wondering “can I still be a surrogate with my tubes tied” the answer is yes. We tell you how.

Maybe you’re done having your own children, but you want to help other intended parents achieve their goals of parenthood. While tubal ligation or having your ‘tubes tied’ can be a permanent solution to preventing you from having your own children, you can still carry an embryo to term.

If you’ve been wondering “can I still be a surrogate with my tubes tied” the answer is yes.

To get more information about our surrogate requirements, you can contact us today by filling out our online form or calling 1-800-875-BABY.

What Does it Mean to Have Your “Tubes Tied?”


Tubal ligation, commonly referred to as “getting your tubes tied,” is a surgical procedure performed on individuals, typically women, as a permanent method of contraception. During this procedure, a surgeon seals or blocks the fallopian tubes, which are the pathways through which eggs travel from the ovaries to the uterus.

By obstructing or cutting these tubes, the procedure prevents sperm from meeting an egg, thereby making pregnancy highly unlikely. Tubal ligation is considered a highly effective and irreversible method of birth control, providing individuals with long-term reproductive control and freedom from the need for ongoing contraception. While it is a significant decision due to its permanent nature, it offers peace of mind for those seeking to end their fertility journey or prevent unintended pregnancies.

How Can I Be a Surrogate With My Tubes Tied?

While many women who choose to have their tubes tied believe they can’t get pregnant on their own again, you may still be able to carry an embryo to term. A tubal ligation just prevents your own eggs from coming down from the ovaries to the uterus. You can still have your period and ovulate through you cycle, though. Some potential surrogates who have gone through the procedure ask “can I be surrogate mother after tubal ligation,” especially those who are seriously considering getting it reversed. The answer is that you are a great candidate for surrogacy when you have your tubes tied.

4 Reasons Why Being a “Tubes-Tied” Surrogate Is Great

  1. You have an extremely low risk of getting pregnant with your own child.
    With tubal ligation, you have an almost zero chance of accidentally getting pregnant on your own. This is of course ideal if you’re choosing to become a surrogate mother.
  2. You’re done building your family.
    If you’ve made the choice to have your tubes tied, it’s likely that you are done adding to your own family. This may mean you are in a better position to help others build their own family.
  3. You don’t have to worry about how your fertility will affect your own family planning.
    Surrogacy can come with many risks, including a loss of fertility. When you choose to take your fertility into your own hands with tubal ligation, fertility loss is likely something you’ve already accepted.  
  4. You’re more likely to be emotionally ready for the process.
    Due to the fact that you have gone through tubal ligation, completed your own family goals and have chosen to pursue surrogacy, you are probably a better candidate for the emotional process of surrogacy.

If you want to be a surrogate, don’t let a tubal ligation stop you from pursuing your goals. You absolutely do not need to go through getting the tubal ligation reversed to become a surrogate. If you have questions about the procedure or your condition, contact a surrogacy specialist today.

Deciding Between Surrogacy Vs Adoption

Discover the pros and cons of surrogacy vs adoption to help you create the family you’ve been dreaming of.

The choice to have a family is always exciting, but deciding how to have a family can be hard.

To get more information about your family-building options, fill out our online form.

For couples and hopeful individuals who cannot have a family on their own, you may be considering alternatives to starting a family. This can likely include surrogacy vs adoption as potential options.

The Pros and Cons of Surrogacy vs. Adoption

Navigating the pros and cons of surrogacy vs. adoption can lead you to your ultimate choice between the two. Learn more about the major points that can help people decide which one to pursue.

Genetics

A gestational surrogate will not share any genetics with your child. The embryo used will either use your egg/sperm or a donor’s. This would mean the child could be biologically yours depending on the egg and sperm you use.

A birth mother will share genetics with the child, which can cause emotional implications as you go through the process. This can make the birth mother feel more attached to the child, possibly having trouble letting go.

Genetics can often play a determining factor in choosing between adoption vs surrogacy. For intended parents who feel strongly about having a genetic link to their child, surrogacy is sometimes the better option. However, if genetics are not something you feel you need to share with your child, adoption can be a great option.

Cost

The cost of surrogacy vs. adoption can be a big determining factor. Adoption can cost intended parents anywhere from $20,000-$50,000 on average. This can be a more affordable option in comparison to surrogacy. Surrogacy can cost an average of $150,000. This includes surrogate pay, agency fees, legal fees and more. Surrogacy is definitely far more expensive than adoption.

Finances can definitely be a deciding factor between surrogacy vs. adoption, but it’s important that you feel confident in your finances. Raising a child has plenty of costs involved in the process, so being aware of how much you may spend to have a child is imperative. Asking an agency to be upfront about their costs of surrogacy can help you financially prepare.

Matching

The matching process for adoption vs. surrogacy is slightly different. The matching process for adoption generally relies heavily on the birth mother and her decision. During the surrogacy process, you will create a profile when you put together your surrogacy plan. This will be advertised to prospective surrogates and your surrogacy specialist will help you connect with your perfect match. We strive to match intended parents and surrogates in 30 to 90 days.

For adoption, the birth mother will choose the parents. You will put together a profile and video to give a little insight into your family and lifestyle so a birth mother can get to know you. Your adoption specialist will help advertise your profile and video to reach a potential birth mother.

Legal Process

The legal process tends to vary between surrogacy vs. adoption. In surrogacy, legal contracts are signed before the medical process can begin. In adoption, the birth parents must give written consent and their rights must be legally terminated after the baby is born. A birth mother also has the option to change her mind at any time until she legally executes her consent. Because the birth mother has the option to change her mind during the pregnancy and after giving birth, it can be an emotionally difficult road to take.

Benefits of Surrogacy vs. Adoption

The benefit of surrogacy vs. adoption is that you will end up with a child, growing the family you’ve always wanted. The choice to grow your family and how you grow your family is ultimately up to you. With surrogacy, you have the opportunity to have a child who is genetically related to you.

You can also be part of the entire pregnancy and be more in control of the situation. With adoption, you get to create a family for a child who needs one. You can create a relationship with the birth mother where everyone is comfortable and create an environment where your child is able to thrive.

No matter which option you choose to create your family, we can help you. Our surrogacy specialists are ready to assist you with the process. Our sister company American Adoptions can also help you get started in your adoption journey. Don’t wait to create the family you’ve always wanted. Contact us today.

Can I Be a Surrogate Without Having a Child?

Learn more about the importance of already having a child of your own before you can become a surrogate with American Surrogacy.

Surrogacy agencies have many requirements for surrogates to go through the surrogacy process. These are put into place to avoid risk and keep everyone’s best interests at heart.

To get more information about why needing to already have a child, you can fill out our online form to get in touch with a surrogacy specialist.

For anyone asking “can I be a surrogate without having a child,” they may not be a likely candidate.

The truth is most agencies will not work with a surrogate who has never been pregnant before and is not raising their own child. There are many risks and reasons why you cannot become a surrogate without having a child yourself.

Physical Challenges

Pregnancy has a plethora of physical challenges from morning sickness to fatigue. And you don’t know how you will react to any part of pregnancy until you go through it. On top of the typical physical side effects of pregnancy, you can also encounter some more serious complications. These may include preeclampsia, placental complications, congenital disorders and more.

Many of these issues you won’t be able to know the likeliness of until you go through pregnancy. Even if you are a healthy individual, you could still face physical challenges during pregnancy. To be a surrogate without having child could put you and the child in unnecessary risk.

Emotional Challenges

The emotional challenges of becoming a surrogate without having a child are just as harmful as the physical challenges. There are many emotions that you go through during pregnancy and post-partum, some of which you won’t understand until you go through them.

If you were to go through the surrogacy process as a first pregnancy or without having a child of your own, you may be more likely to have complicated emotions that could result in anxiety or depression. Without going through pregnancy previously, you also won’t know how post-partum depression and anxiety may affect you.

Risk for Intended Parents

If you are inexperienced with pregnancy, it won’t just affect you. It will also affect the intended parents. The intended parents who have chosen to go through surrogacy have often gone through every other route to become parents, not to mention spent thousands of dollars already.

Having a child through surrogacy is sometimes their last resort, especially if they have a limited amount of embryos. Surrogacy is too important to gamble their chances of becoming parents on a surrogate who hasn’t been pregnant before.

Don’t Give Up on Surrogacy

Just because you cannot become a surrogate without having a child right now does not mean you won’t be able to in the future. You could still become a surrogate once you’ve gone through pregnancy and have your own child. You can also go through alternative routes to help others pursue their family goals such as egg donation.

Doing more research on the surrogacy process can also help you better understand what is expected of our surrogates and how intended parents feel going through the process as well.

If you are interested in learning more about the surrogacy process, you can contact our team of surrogacy specialists at 1-800-875-2229 (BABY).

What You Should Know About Surrogacy Agency Reviews

Surrogacy agency reviews can tell you a lot about an agency. We can tell you what you need to know about finding quality reviews to help make your decision.

Today we rely on reviews for everything. We look at reviews of movies before we go see them, we check out reviews of restaurants to decide where to eat, and we even look up reviews of shampoo before we buy it. So why wouldn’t you look up the surrogacy agency ratings before you commit to one?

If you want more information about what to look for in surrogacy agency reviews, fill out our online form.

Navigating surrogacy agency reviews on the other hand can sometimes be tricky. There’s so much more relying on choosing the correct agency to begin your surrogacy process. This can help determine what you experience. So we’ve put together a guide to help you navigate the reviews.

Reviews vs Testimonials

Clients who had a positive experience are sometimes asked by the agency to offer a testimonial that can be used on the company’s website. These will likely go into more detail and even include a video so you can feel connected to the real people who have been in your shoes. Testimonials are a good way to understand the surrogacy process and learn how the agency works with intended parents and surrogates.

Reviews of surrogacy agencies on the other hand are less of a production and may or may not be included on the website. But just like any business, positive reviews are always requested from clients. You can find reviews through Google and other ranking websites. However, it’s important to make sure you are using a reputable third party resource that is not dictated by sponsorships.

Negative Reviews

Negative reviews are more common than positive reviews. Statistically, people are more likely to leave a review if they had a negative experience. While positive reviews are important, negative surrogacy reviews can be just as important to read through. When you read negative reviews and notice patterns of the same situation happening to people over and over again, that might be a sign not to work with that agency.

Fake Reviews

Unfortunately fake reviews can muddle the information as you look through reviews. A fake review will usually have very generic language and information. They will use terms like “good” and “bad.” A fake review might also include incorrect grammar and spelling or the flow of sentences won’t quite make sense. Usually fake surrogacy reviews will be reported and hopefully removed, but they can still slip through the cracks so it’s important to be aware of them.

Find the Right Fit for You

Not every surrogacy agency is the same. Whether it’s the services, people or location, not every agency will be the right fit for everyone. You do not have to go with the first surrogacy agency you find through your research of surrogacy reviews. Take the time to ask questions and interview the people you would be working with. There may be pros and cons to each agency and you will have to weigh which one will ultimately be the best fit for you. Surrogacy is a big commitment and you should feel confident in your decision.

Do Your Research

Ultimately, the best thing you can do for yourself is to do your research before making the commitment to a surrogacy agency. Understanding the surrogacy process and what is expected from you can help you to better understand what is important to you when choosing a surrogacy agency. Once you understand the surrogacy process you will be able to better navigate the negative surrogacy agency reviews to determine if the review is about the process or the agency.

If you’re ready to begin your surrogacy process, contact us today.

Being a Surrogate for a Family Member [What to Know]

Being a surrogate for a family member is possible through American Surrogacy’s identified surrogacy program. Learn more about how to become a surrogate for a family member.

If you’re wondering if you can be a surrogate for a family member, the short answer is yes. Offering to become a surrogate for a family member is a beautiful way to help someone you love start a family. Surrogacy comes with its own challenges for anyone trying to start a family.

To get more information about being a surrogate for a family member, reach out to a surrogacy specialist today.

You will need to meet the requirements to become a surrogate for a family member, but it’s important to understand what can happen after you qualify.

Questions to ask yourself:

  • Is our relationship strong enough for this?
  • Will this make the surrogacy process more complicated due to family dynamics?
  • Do I want to do this, or do I feel pressured to do this?
  • What will our relationship be like after the baby is born?
  • Is surrogacy right for me?

Can You Be a Surrogate for a Family Member?

Yes! If you already know your intended parents, this is called identified surrogacy. Here are some things to consider before being a surrogate for a family member:

Changes in Relationship

It’s important to realize being a surrogate for a family member can change your relationship with that person. No matter how close you are to the intended parents, this could change the dynamic of your relationship. Because you have a different relationship from many intended parents and surrogates, you may feel like more or less inclined to advocate for yourself.

While family dynamics can change, you should be aware of where you started and where you want to grow as a family. But also remember, this could create a new level for your relationship that is positive. It has the potential to bring you closer to that family member and have a special bond with their child.

Set Boundaries

To try to prevent negative changes in your relationship, it can be helpful to set boundaries with each other. If you decide that being a surrogate for a family member is something you’d like to do, you should talk with the family member before moving forward with any medical procedures to decide how you’d like to relay information, when to talk about the baby, who can share information about the baby and more.

This is when working with a surrogacy agency can be beneficial. They will work through any mediation needed between intended parents and surrogates to make sure things go smoothly for a better surrogacy experience.

Altruistic Surrogacy

Altruistic surrogates do not require compensation. This means that you would not be paid for your service as a surrogate if you chose to go this route as a surrogate for a family member. Not all situations where intended parents know the surrogate result in altruistic surrogacy. However, some intended parents may choose this path due to the likelihood of finding an altruistic surrogate.

How to Become a Surrogate for a Family Member

If you’re interested in being a surrogate for a family member, American Surrogacy can help make this happen through our identified surrogacy program. As a surrogate, the identified surrogacy process will only differ in the matching step of your journey.  Since you already have plans to be a surrogate for a family member, you don’t have to go through the matching process. Here’s what you can expect from our identified surrogacy process:

  1. Reaching Out to American Surrogacy: If you decide American Surrogacy is right for you, you can reach out to our specialist at any time to begin your surrogacy process.
  2. Legal Process: Since you already have your surrogacy partner in mind, you can move to the legal process of drafting a surrogacy contract. If you don’t have a surrogacy attorney, we can connect you with a surrogacy attorney from our network of professionals.
  3. Medical Process: You’ll follow a fertility medication protocol to prepare your body for embryo transfer. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is used to create embryos using the intended parents’ genetic material. After successful embryo creation, one or more embryos are transferred to your uterus. Subsequent pregnancy tests will confirm whether the transfer was successful.
  4. Birth and Beyond: Throughout the pregnancy, you’ll receive medical care and support from your healthcare team and the surrogacy agency. Regular check-ups ensure the health and well-being of both you and the baby. Following a healthy pregnancy, you’ll bring new life into the world for your family member. The birthing process will be coordinated with the intended parents’ involvement and preferences.

It’s Your Choice

If family members are pressuring you to be a gestational or altruistic surrogate for a family member, then this might not be a great fit. Decide for yourself if surrogacy is right for you. Learn more about what being a surrogate means and if you feel ready to become a surrogate for a family member. Get started by reaching out to a surrogacy specialist today.

Choosing Between IVF and Surrogacy

The process of in vitro fertilization or IVF and surrogacy often come up together. We explain the difference and how you can achieve your dreams of parenthood.

The process of in vitro fertilization or IVF and surrogacy often come up together. And for anyone new to the process, you might have a lot of questions. We have the answers you need

To get more information about IVF and surrogacy, fill out our online form and one of our specialists will help you evaluate your infertility options.

Struggling With Infertility

For anyone struggling with infertility, you may be looking for alternative routes to parenthood. Many people turn to IVF in the beginning of their journey. The IVF process includes:

  • Take fertility drugs
  • Pre-retrieval
  • Sperm sample analysis
  • Insemination
  • Embryo transfer
  • Pregnancy results

This process is a generally effective fertility treatment for those going through infertility. IVF is often times a good option if you have certain health conditions, fallopian tube damage/blockage, ovulation disorders, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or are experiencing unexplained infertility. The downside to IVF is that it can be a lengthy, expensive and emotional process. The success rate of IVF attempts for people under 35 is 50%, while attempts at ages 42 and over are only at 3.9%

The Difference Between Surrogacy and IVF

One of the main differences between surrogacy and IVF is the carrier of the baby. When people are using IVF, the intended mother is the one carrying the child. The IVF treatments allow her body to prepare to carry a child in ways it otherwise would not be able to. In surrogacy, a surrogate will carry the child. However, the egg of the intended mother may still be used.

If you’ve been working through IVF and are beginning to feel defeated, don’t give up. Your goal to have a family can still be achieved. This is the part of the journey many people may choose to start looking into surrogacy. There are a number of reasons people may choose surrogacy over IVF, including:

  1. They’re ready to move on from IVF treatments.
  2. They’re more interested in becoming a parent than they are in being pregnant.
  3. They’re concerned about the continued cost of IVF.
  4. They only have a few embryos left.
  5. They’ve done their research.

How Surrogacy and IVF Can Work Together

IVF is used in the surrogacy process. Throughout the process you will use IVF to assist in having a healthy surrogacy. They will go through the same IVF process as mentioned above, but through gestational surrogacy, you will help to create the embryo. This will include:

  • The surrogate will undergo IVF to carry and deliver your child
  • You and your partner’s gametes will be used to create the embryo
  • A sperm donor, an egg donor, or both will help create the embryo
  • A fertility clinic will help create the embryo to be transferred to the surrogate
  • The baby will not be related to the surrogate.

How American Surrogacy Can Help

For couples and individuals who dream of becoming parents but face significant challenges in conceiving, surrogacy offers a pathway to realize their dreams. By partnering with American Surrogacy, these intended parents gain access to a network of compassionate and qualified surrogates who selflessly offer to carry and nurture a child on their behalf.

This process not only offers a chance at biological parenthood but also fosters a deep sense of emotional connection and shared purpose between the intended parents and surrogates. American Surrogacy’s comprehensive support, including legal guidance, medical expertise and emotional assistance, helps alleviate the burdens that infertility often brings, allowing intended parents to focus on the joyous journey of parenthood that IVF and surrogacy can make possible.

Start you parenthood journey today. Contact us to get more information about IVF and surrogacy.

Why Are There BMI Surrogacy Requirements?

The BMI surrogacy requirement can be a factor in your eligibility to become a surrogate. Discover what this means for you surrogacy journey, and why BMI requirements for surrogacy exist.

There are a lot of physical requirements to even begin applying to become a surrogate. Many times when you’re given a list of requirements you may wonder how serious or lenient different agencies may be on different standards. One that comes up often is the BMI requirements for surrogacy.

To get more information about BMI surrogacy requirements with our agency, fill out our online form or call 1-800-875-BABY.

Why BMI is Important

While many people in the health industry have been discussing the relevance of BMI in other areas of the medical field, BMI is still important to surrogate eligibility. We want to make sure that intended parents and surrogates have the best chance possible to have a child. When intended parents are choosing to use their own eggs, we have little room for error to help them achieve their dreams. We have BMI surrogacy requirements due to the risks listed below.

  • Higher BMI has been associated with preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, pregnancy hypertension and other complications.
  • Complications with the baby after birth have been linked to birth mothers with a higher BMI.
  • Too high and too low BMI can make it more difficult to get pregnant.
  • Too high and too low BMI can increase the risk of pre-term delivery.

Required BMI Levels

We currently work with women whose have a BMI range of 19-32. This is based on the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s recommendations and what health professionals have determined is a healthy BMI range for adults. This range is set to exclude women who may be medically underweight or obese, which could cause dangerous situations when carrying a child.

Working with the BMI Requirement

If you are slightly over the required weight or BMI, you should speak with a surrogacy specialist. A reproductive endocrinologist can complete blood and urine test to determine whether you can successfully carry a child to term. If you want to become a surrogate, you can also work with your doctor or a registered dietician to help meet the surrogacy BMI requirements.

It’s important to keep in mind that our BMI requirement for surrogacy is just one of many. Our other surrogacy requirements include:

  • No smoking or illicit drug use
  • No tattoos or piercings in last six months
  • No major complications from previous pregnancies
  • At least six months since last vaginal or cesarean birth
  • And more.

When it comes to your health, the best thing you can do is to seek out health and nutrition advice from you physician. If you lay out your goals, including that you want to meet BMI surrogacy requirements, your doctor should be able to help you create a plan and recommend other health specialists who can assist you as well.

The best way to know if you are eligible to become a surrogate is by contacting a surrogacy specialist. If you have questions about the process, the BMI requirements, or anything else, contact us at 1-800-875-2229 (BABY).  And if you think you meet the requirements and want to proceed, contact us by filling out our quick prospective surrogate form.

Do Surrogate Mothers Share DNA With The Baby?

Do surrogates share DNA with the baby? We answer our most asked questions about genetics and surrogacy.

As you go through the surrogacy process you, and maybe even family members and friends, may have questions about the DNA of your child. Many people may choose surrogacy due to the genetic factor. But people still have questions about DNA and the genetic process. Common questions we get asked include:

  • Does the surrogate mother share DNA with the child?
  • Will the baby look like the surrogate mother?
  • Do surrogates share blood with the baby?
  • Does a gestational surrogate have a right to the baby?

To get answers to these questions and more, you can contact a surrogacy specialist today by filling out our online form or call 1-800-875-BABY.

Use this easy guide to understand the difference between traditional surrogacy vs. gestational surrogacy, and help those with questions understand your surrogacy process as well.

Traditional Surrogacy

In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate contributes her own egg to the in-vitro process. Once her egg is artificially inseminated by the intended father’s or donor’s sperm, an embryo is created which she will then carry to term in her uterus. In this form of surrogacy, the surrogate mother is the biological mother of the child. This genetic relationship can come with unique challenges. Due to the higher level of legal risk with traditional surrogacy, it is rarely done today.

Gestational Surrogacy

In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate and baby do not share any genetics. An embryo is created from the intended parents’ and/or donor’s egg and sperm. Once the embryo is created, it is transferred to the surrogate’s womb and she then carries the baby to term. This process is the most common form of surrogacy today, and the only form of surrogacy American Surrogacy completes.

Now, let’s answer those questions from above. We understand that many of the questions may be from well-meaning family members and friends who have a ton of thoughts on the process. However, we are here to offer you the information to make it clear that your child will not be genetically related to the surrogate.

Does the surrogate mother share DNA with the child?

Many people may think of traditional surrogacy when it comes to the surrogate process. They assume it’s her egg being used. This, of course, is not the case. You will use your egg or a donor’s egg to create the embryo that will be carried by the surrogate. The DNA will come from the egg that was used in the embryo. It will have nothing to do with the surrogate.

Will the baby look like the surrogate mother?

Again, the appearance of the baby comes down to who provided the sperm and the egg to create the embryo that results in a child.

Do surrogates share blood with the baby?

When people talk about “blood relation” they may be thinking of literal blood. While yes, a surrogate’s blood is used to help grow your child, they are not of “blood relation.”

Does a gestational surrogate have a right to the baby?

No. With gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother does not have any rights to the child. There will be a legal process that will allow you the legal rights of parenthood while the baby is in the womb.

When people ask if the baby is related to the surrogate mother, the answer is simply no. You will share the genetics with your child through your egg or sperm, or you can choose to use a donor if using your own is not an option for you.

If you want more information on surrogacy, contact us today at 1-800-825-2229 (BABY) or fill out our online form.

The Pros and Cons of Single Parent Surrogacy

Your timeline for parenthood doesn’t need to like anyone else’s. For many, choosing single parent surrogacy is a wonderful option to achieve these goals.

Your timeline for parenthood doesn’t need to be like anyone else’s. Deciding to have a child is such a personal revelation, and you can achieve those goals on your own if you choose. For many, choosing single-parent surrogacy is a wonderful option that can help them achieve these goals.

If you’re a hopeful single-parent who has questions about single parent surrogacy, fill out our online form today to get the support you need.

Many single people have chosen to go with surrogacy in recent years to become a parent. You no longer need to wait on societal standards. It’s within your ability to become a parent at a time in your life when you feel ready. When you choose surrogacy, it’s important to have a general idea of what to expect from the process ahead. Our pro and con list covers many points single-parent surrogacy may cover.

Pros

  • You don’t need to be in a relationship or have found “the one” to start your journey to parenthood.
  • You have the same standards of pursuing single-parent surrogacy as a married couple would.
  • Surrogacy can sometimes be easier to achieve than adoption as many birth moms choose two-parent homes.

Cons

  • Surrogacy is expensive, and you will need to afford the surrogacy costs on one salary.
  • Being a single parent comes with its own difficulties including finances and resources.
  • Single parents may unfortunately still face stigmas throughout the surrogacy process and through parenthood.

Single Surrogacy Vs. Adoption

Many single people who are looking to become parents may look into both adoption and surrogacy. Each has its own unique journey. Choosing between the two often comes down to preferences and finances. The most common reasons to choose one or the other include:

  • Genetics: When you choose single-parent surrogacy, they usually choose to use their own sperm or egg to use in the embryo. This allows them to be genetically related to their child. Through adoption, parents of course won’t generally have a genetic connection.
  • Legal Process: In both adoption and surrogacy you will go through a legal process. This is the route to becoming the legal guardian of your child. Through surrogacy, you will often become the legal guardian of your child before they are even born. With adoption, you cannot become a parent until the legal rights of the birth parents are terminated. This can sometimes be an emotional process.
  • Cost: There are a variety of expenses used in both domestic infant adoption and surrogacy. These may include agency fees, advertising and matching services. Surrogacy costs will also include the surrogate’s compensation throughout their pregnancy, which often makes single-parent surrogacy much more expensive.
  • Wait: The waiting game can be tough for adoptive parents who may wait months or years to find a pregnant woman who wants to work with them. However, the matching process for and intended parent and surrogate range from an average of 30-90 days with American Surrogacy. This allows you to have your baby in your arms sooner.
  • Control: There is often more control through single-parent surrogacy. You get to choose the surrogate and the donor you use. With adoption, the birth mother has the choice of the adoptive family.

No matter how you choose to become a parent, it’s important to feel not only supported but well prepared. There are financial, medical and emotional challenges to the process no matter their relationship status or sexual orientation.

Are you interested in starting the surrogacy process? Connect with our team today.