IVF Surrogacy

It is certainly understandable that most couples wish to have their own child. Should they find, for some reason, that they can't carry a baby to term, but that they do have healthy eggs and sperm, they might want to look into surrogacy. There are specific groups of people for whom surrogacy might be a great option.

For Whom Is Surrogacy Suited?

There are many situations where a couple wants to have their own child, and could be able to, but they simply can't carry the baby to term. IVF surrogacy could be suitable for a woman who has had a hysterectomy or who doesn't have a womb for some other reason, but who still produces eggs. A woman with a malformed womb might be a good candidate for IVF surrogacy. It is also recommended for women who have a condition, such as diabetes, heart and kidney disease, or a life threatening condition were they to be pregnant.

Who Agrees to be a Surrogate?

You might wonder who would agree to go through an entire pregnancy, just to voluntarily give the baby away. Surrogates come in all forms, and do this task for many reasons. Often times, a relative, such as a sister or cousin, will become a surrogate for a family member who can't carry a baby to term. Some women see being a surrogate as a good financial choice, and will do so for the money it involves.

The Surrogacy Process

There are many protocols and guidelines outlined in each country for surrogacy. Most clinics will only accept couples for treatment after evaluating that both the genetic couple, and the surrogate, passes certain criteria. Usually, the women, both the genetic woman and the surrogate, should be relatively young. They are generally encouraged to be under 35 years of age. An in depth review is done by the doctor that includes the medical history of everyone involved, and a physical exam. Ideally, the surrogate will be someone who is married and relatively young. Often times, a clinic will prefer a surrogate who has already delivered at least one healthy child. Certainly, the surrogate shouldn't be someone who drinks, smokes, does drugs, or has a history of disorders that could hurt the fetus. After all of these factors are evaluated, and psychological evaluations are performed, the process will be given the green light to move ahead!

Making the Decision

Obviously, making the decision to use a surrogate, instead of adopting or going another route, is no easy task. You and your partner will need to weigh all of your options. For many, this decision is the best one that they can make under the circumstances, as it allows them to have a baby of their own, even though the woman can't carry her own child in her womb.