A Guide to Different Types of Surrogacy and Why You Should Consider Becoming a Surrogate

One of the most rewarding and generous acts a person can undertake in life is to give someone who has always wanted children a child. A surrogate mother willingly carries a child with them until it is time to give birth. Once the baby is born, the surrogate gives the intended parent the child that they have always wanted. 

By being a surrogate to someone who cannot have children, you are giving them the tremendous gift of family and parenthood. Becoming a surrogate is a beautiful act, but there are many points to consider beforehand. 

Here is a guide to different types of surrogacy, and reasons why you should consider becoming a surrogate.

Types of Surrogacy

In terms of the medical process, there are two types of surrogacy: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. Within these types, there are independent and altruistic arrangements:

Traditional Surrogacy

Traditional surrogacy is when an embryo is created using the surrogate’s egg, and donor sperm or the intended parent’s sperm. With this type of surrogacy, the surrogate is the biological mother of the baby. 

Before the evolution of fertility treatments and the creation of embryos beyond the womb, traditional surrogacy was the only method of conception using a surrogate mother. In the modern world, the egg of the surrogate mother is artificially inseminated using donor sperm or sperm from an intended parent. 

In some states, this type of surrogacy is illegal. In areas where it is legal, a traditional surrogate will need to relieve her parental rights as the biological mother of the child. This type of surrogacy is not as common nowadays due to the legal and emotional implications.

Gestational Surrogacy

Gestational surrogacy is the most modern type of surrogacy, and it is also successful as a fertility treatment. A gestational surrogate carries a child that has been created by combining a donor egg (or the egg of the intended parent) with donor sperm (or sperm from an intended parent). In other words, the gestational surrogate mother does not carry a biological child. No DNA is shared, which means that there are fewer legal and emotional complications.

Independent Surrogacy Arrangement

Independent surrogacy describes an arrangement that is agreed upon by the intended parent and the surrogate only. This arrangement works outside of an agency, which means that the surrogate often has no professional support throughout the process. 

This type of arrangement is often agreed upon between people who are familiar with each other. Although it might work out well for some families and surrogates, there are many risks associated with independent surrogacy. By working with an agency, both the surrogate and the intended parents benefit from the knowledge of an experienced third party. This is useful when complications arise and important decisions need to be made.

Altruistic Surrogacy Arrangement

Most surrogacy arrangements entail the surrogate receiving compensation for the time and effort they put in during the pregnancy. All pregnancy-related costs are covered too. An altruistic surrogacy describes a situation where a person agrees to be a surrogate mother without compensation. As with independent surrogacy, these types of arrangements are often made between people who know each other. In an altruistic surrogacy arrangement, the surrogate may receive reimbursement for medical fees only.

Is Surrogacy for You?

Becoming a surrogate is an amazing gesture. However, the surrogacy journey isn’t easy and there are many points to consider. ConceiveAbilities is an agency that specializes in surrogacy and egg donations. They have been offering their services to people in need for nearly 25 years and have the experience and knowledge to help you make the right decision for you. 

If you choose to become a surrogate, their expert team can give you advice and support throughout your journey. Some of the benefits of becoming a surrogate include the following:

Help Someone Have a Family

Helping someone who cannot have children build a family is one of the main reasons why people become surrogate mothers. Carrying a baby for someone who truly wants a child can be extremely fulfilling for both the intended parent and the surrogate mother. 

Those who wish to become parents but are unable to conceive naturally may have already gone through a range of fertility treatments in the hope of getting pregnant. Giving intended parents, who have gone through so much effort to conceive, the gift of a child is a tremendous gesture that will stay with both the intended parents and the surrogate for the rest of their lives.

Compensation for Your Services

As mentioned above, there are certain arrangements in which surrogates do not receive compensation. However, when working with a reputable agency, you will receive good compensation for your time and effort. The compensation depends on various factors, such as your body size, whether you have had children or not, and your age. 

When it comes to age, those younger than the age of 30 may get paid more due to the view that they will experience fewer pregnancy-related complications. In addition, women who have children are generally more likely to carry another child for someone else than those who have never been mothers.

Give Back to the World

Carrying a child with the aim of giving it to a family who cannot independently conceive is a fantastic way to give back to the world. Offering third-party assistance and providing someone with the means to parent a child is an incredible gift. However, there are plenty of considerations you need to make before becoming a surrogate. Carrying a child is physically demanding, and there are many psychological challenges you will have to overcome during your surrogacy journey.

Unique Life Experience

Becoming a surrogate isn’t for everyone, but those who embark on the journey will gain a unique life experience. You will be giving people the chance to be parents and helping bring new life into the world. It is a very large and generous gift to give, particularly with the physical and mental demands that pregnancy will put you through.