For those wishing to pursue surrogacy to have a child, the process can feel daunting because of misinformation, confusion, and worries about finances or legal red tape. At RISE Fertility, we want to assure you that surrogacy is a valid and doable family building option. Dr. Sanaz Ghazal and the RISE team have answered the most frequently asked questions so you can make informed decisions about whether surrogacy is right for you.
What Is the Difference Between Traditional Surrogacy and Gestational Surrogacy?
With traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s own egg is fertilized by the male partner’s sperm or donor sperm, making the surrogate the biological mother of the baby. As you can imagine, traditional surrogacy can become legally and emotionally complex, and is rarely a chosen option today. Gestational surrogacy involves a gestational carrier (surrogate) who carries your embryo, and has no biological relationship to the child.
What Are Common Reasons for Choosing Surrogacy?
In many cases, intended parents choose surrogacy because of fertility issues that make it unsafe or impossible to carry a pregnancy. Surrogacy also provides family-building options for single parents and same-sex couples, though intended parents may pursue surrogacy for any number of valid easons.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost?
Unfortunately, we can’t provide an exact number because the cost of surrogacy varies widely between states and agencies. You’re also typically responsible for your gestational carrier’s medical expenses, which can vary. However, a broad estimate places surrogacy in the range of $60,000-$150,000. If you want to pursue surrogacy but are concerned about the cost, we encourage you to schedule a consultation to see whether our in-house financing or other financing options will work for you.
What Legal Protections Are Involved in Surrogacy?
Legally speaking, surrogacy can be quite complicated, which is why at RISE we partner with reputable agencies and have a dedicated Third Party Team to help you navigate the process. Before beginning any physical treatment, you and your gestational carrier will be thoroughly screened to make sure surrogacy is a good fit for you. A legal contract is drawn up to ensure your gestational carrier is fairly compensated and you receive legal protection to ensure your parental rights.
Here in California our laws are clearly defined, making California one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the nation. You can feel comfortable knowing that your parental rights will be clearly established before your baby is born, and all parties are protected.
What Is the Surrogacy Process Like?
Exactly what this process looks like will vary depending on your situation. If you’re using your own eggs, you’ll first need to go through the egg retrieval process. Next, your eggs or–donor eggs, if you end up needing them–are combined with your partner’s sperm–or donor sperm–to create embryos through in vitro fertilization. You may also choose to have pre-implantation genetic testing done to ensure your embryos are healthy.
Meanwhile, your gestational carrier takes medication to prepare her body for pregnancy, and once both she and your embryo are ready, Dr. Ghazal will transfer the embryo into her uterus. If all goes well, the embryo will implant, and pregnancy will be confirmed in about two weeks.
You’ll receive periodic updates about the health of your baby as the pregnancy progresses. Many intended parents also accompany their gestational carrier to checkups and are in the delivery room when their baby is born, but this depends on your fertility contract. After the gestational carrier and baby are discharged from the hospital, you get to take your new baby home! Many families choose to keep in touch with their surrogate, but that’s a personal choice between you and your gestational carrier.
Will I Bond With a Baby Born Via Surrogacy?
Yes! You can expect to bond with your baby just as you would if you were carrying the pregnancy. You’ll be present with your baby, often from the moment of birth, and many intended parents also feel that they develop a bond even earlier if they’re involved with checkups and keep regular contact with their gestational carrier.
Do Babies Born Via Surrogacy Have Any Health Risks?
Current research has not found any higher risk of health problems in babies born via surrogacy compared to babies born through traditional pregnancy. In fact, it’s possible that babies born via surrogacy could experience fewer health risks due to the extensive screening of potential surrogates and genetic testing.
Should Children Be Told They Were Born Via Surrogacy?
While it’s always a personal choice, parents are typically encouraged to tell their children about their surrogacy history because it’s part of their personal story. If surrogacy is presented as normal, children typically feel comfortable with it. And if you choose to stay in contact with your gestational carrier, children are likely to appreciate knowing another caring adult helped bring them into the world.
Surrogacy at RISE
If you have additional surrogacy questions that don’t appear on this list, or you’d like to begin the process of having a baby via surrogacy at RISE Fertility, we encourage you to book a consult with Dr.Ghazal. She’ll speak with you about your fertility goals, conduct any necessary testing, and provide an overview of the surrogacy process to help you decide whether surrogacy is right for you.
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