Surrogacy: What You Need to Know

Gestational surrogacy is a specialized assisted reproductive technology where a woman (called the surrogate) carries and delivers a baby for another person or couple who cannot conceive or carry a pregnancy themselves. The child is genetically related to the intended parents or donors, but not to the surrogate. This technique has become a vital solution for people worldwide facing infertility, medical barriers to pregnancy, or those in same-sex relationships who want to start a family.

What Is Surrogacy?

In this process, the surrogate carries an embryo created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) from the egg and sperm of the intended parents or donors. Unlike traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate uses her own eggs, gestational surrogacy means the surrogate has no biological connection to the child.

This approach reduces legal and emotional complexities and is often preferred because the intended parents are the child’s biological parents, which helps simplify parental rights after birth.

Who Is Gestational Surrogacy For?

Gestational surrogacy is a suitable option for individuals or couples facing:

Medical conditions preventing pregnancy: Women without a uterus (due to hysterectomy or congenital absence) or with severe uterine abnormalities cannot carry a pregnancy safely.
Health risks during pregnancy: Some women may have chronic illnesses such as heart disease, autoimmune disorders, or other health issues that make pregnancy dangerous for their life or the baby's.
Repeated IVF failures: Women who have experienced multiple failed attempts at IVF and are unable to sustain pregnancy.
Same-sex male couples and single men: Surrogacy enables them to have a biological child.
Genetic concerns: Individuals carrying inheritable genetic disorders may choose to use donor eggs or sperm combined with surrogacy to avoid passing conditions to the child.

Each case is unique, and choosing surrogacy requires thorough medical, psychological, and legal evaluation.

How Does the Gestational Surrogacy Process Work?

The journey involves several stages, each carefully managed by fertility specialists, legal experts, and coordinators:

Screening and Evaluation: Both the intended parents and the surrogate mother undergo extensive medical and psychological assessments to ensure readiness and compatibility. This includes blood tests, ultrasounds, and counseling sessions.
Legal Agreements: A comprehensive legal contract is prepared outlining the rights, responsibilities, and protections for both parties. This contract helps prevent disputes and clarifies parental rights after birth.
IVF Treatment: Eggs are retrieved from the intended mother or donor, fertilized with sperm in the lab, and embryos are created. These embryos are then transferred into the surrogate’s uterus.
Pregnancy Monitoring: Once pregnancy is confirmed, the surrogate receives regular prenatal care. Intended parents stay closely involved, often attending medical appointments and receiving updates.
Birth and Parental Rights: After delivery, legal steps are taken to establish the intended parents as the legal parents of the child, including birth certificates and custody arrangements.

📞 Considering gestational surrogacy? Our expert team is ready to guide you step-by-step — contact us today for a free consultation and personalized plan.

Who Can Be a Surrogate?

Surrogates are typically healthy women aged 21 to 45 who have had at least one successful pregnancy with no major complications. They must be free from smoking, substance abuse, and chronic health problems. Psychological screening ensures they are mentally prepared for the surrogacy journey.

Choosing the right surrogate is critical to success. Many programs work with carefully screened surrogates or agencies that provide fully vetted candidates.

What Are the Costs Involved?

Surrogacy involves multiple cost factors:

Medical expenses: IVF procedures, medications, ultrasounds, prenatal care, and delivery costs.
Surrogate compensation: This covers the surrogate’s time, physical effort, and pregnancy-related expenses.
Legal fees: Contracts and parental rights must be established legally to protect all parties.
Agency fees: Coordination, screening, and support services throughout the process.
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, insurance, and any unforeseen medical needs.

Legal and Ethical Aspects

Surrogacy is regulated very differently worldwide. Some countries have clear laws allowing and governing surrogacy with enforceable agreements, while others ban or restrict it. It is essential to understand local laws before starting the process.

Ethically, surrogacy raises questions about the rights and welfare of all involved — surrogate mothers, intended parents, and children. Reputable clinics and agencies follow strict ethical guidelines and provide psychological support to address these concerns.

Risks and Challenges

Although gestational surrogacy can be a life-changing option, it comes with some common risks and challenges that intended parents and surrogates should be aware of:

Medical Risks to the Surrogate: Like any pregnancy, surrogates may face complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or premature labor. Regular medical care helps monitor and reduce these risks.
Emotional and Psychological Challenges: Surrogacy can be emotionally intense for both the surrogate and intended parents. The surrogate may experience attachment to the baby, while intended parents may feel anxiety or uncertainty throughout the process. Psychological counseling is strongly recommended.

Why Choose ALAANMED for Your Surrogacy Journey?

At ALAANMED, we understand that choosing surrogacy is a deeply personal and complex decision. That’s why we offer:

Full-service support from consultation to childbirth, with medical, legal, and emotional care.
Expert fertility specialists and access to leading IVF technologies.
Multilingual assistance to make the process easy and stress-free for international clients.
Transparent pricing with flexible and cost-effective packages.
Personalized attention and strict confidentiality at every step.

Infertility Treatments

Surrogacy

IUI

Egg donation

IVF