Surrogacy: All you need to Know about Donor Conception

Surrogacy—a maze of myths and facts can lead you to think that surrogates can keep the newborn, egg donors are in the field only for money, you will not have inkling about the background of the child and so forth. Read on for certain realities which promise to go a long way in dispensing your fears.

It’s not your Baby!

If you finally have a baby by using donor eggs, sperm or embryos then it’s not “your” baby. Wrong!

Donors of egg, sperm or embryo are expected to give up their parental rights on the embryo and the baby which eventually takes birth. Sperm donations are done in accordance to the regulations guiding cryobanks. Relinquishment of the rights of the donor, have to be documented in the presence of the recipient and the donor. This avoids any future hassles and establishes the “ownership” of the baby in no uncertain terms.

Lack of Genetic Connection = No Parental Connection

Since I am not genetically connected to the baby, I will fail to have parental association in future. Again wrong!

Before pursuing assisted reproductive modes of surrogacy, to-be-parents are advised to meet their mental health experts and counselors. Most parents of donor-conceived children feel that the arrival of a child in their lives is the most beautiful thing that ever happened to them. The level of gratitude towards donors is immense and this helps in developing a nurturing feel for the child which comes their way. 

Where is the Medical History?

There will be no medical history if I am not genetically related to the baby. This is again a myth.

Intended parents are the recipients of consistent and updated information regarding the medical health of the donor and her family. Apart from providing comprehensive genetic information about themselves, donors are also accessible in the event of any future medical complications or situations, which may require additional inputs-regarding their medical and genetic history. 

Fear of Unwanted Claims and Visits

What happens if the donor shows up on my front gate some day? Relax!

It is a well established fact that while recipients have an in depth knowledge in regards to the fitness, demographic and genetic information of the donor, the reverse is not true.

With negligible or no information about intended parents, donors find it difficult to get in touch with their counterparts. Moreover, contractual agreements between the donor and recipient outline the expectations of both parties and lay down the boundaries for all future contacts. 

Monetary Interests of the Donor 

I have heard that egg donors are exploited and indulge in the act only for monetary considerations. Concerning-- but rarely true. 

Though these myths have found their way into media due to some freak incidents, invasive medical screenings, clinic procedures, long time commitments and lifestyle disruptions rarely motivate donors into the act just for monetary compensation. Moreover, tremendous amounts of money are offered to donors for their eggs/embryos and this deters them from raising any unwarranted issues. 

Well, the list of myths goes on and often deters intended parents from going into surrogacy. However, it is important to note that most of these fears are unfounded and delay the process of gaining parental happiness.

 In a nutshell—they are best avoided.

Types of Surrogacy and Role of Surrogate Mother

Surrogacy is the last hope for any couple to embrace happiness of parenthood. But due to emotional factors involved, it is taken in consideration when all other measures have proved futile. Though, such chances are rare, taking in consideration the rapid growth of medical science and evolution of treatment methods for male and female infertility. However, there are cases, in which a doctor can do almost nothing, nor, even with latest medical infrastructure, it is possible to treat infertility or the underlying cause of the condition.

Surrogacy and the role of surrogate mother come to the fore, in such situations. Gestational and traditional methods of surrogacy are the two most widely used methods of gifting joy of parenthood to a couple who are suffering from conditions of infertility. These two methods are quite different from one another and are to be chosen and accepted only after due consideration. At Ridge IVF clinic, we have expert doctors who have years of treating infertility. However, before nature, they too have their limitations as the medical science has its limitations. And in such cases our fertility treatment experts’ advice couples to consider the option of surrogacy.

At Ridge IVF, our expert surgeons and counselors make the couple understand each and every part of the surrogacy. In the process, the surrogate mother to be is also involved. People generally prefer to move ahead with IVF or gestational surrogacy since the emotional attachment of the surrogate mother to the child to be born is considered to be less in this method. The main reason for such assumption is the fact that this treatment method is used for couple, who can independently produce sperm and eggs, but the female partner fails to conceive or there are repeated miscarriages. Thus the role of the surrogate mother is limited to carrying the fertilized egg and gives birth to the baby.

The second method is the traditional or natural surrogacy. This method require, egg from the surrogate mother and after getting the egg fertilized by the sperm of the male partner, it is implanted in the uterus for a normal delivery of the child. In this method, both physical and emotional attachment of the surrogate mother and the child is high. However, in cases, where there is no chance of female partner getting pregnant or the female is suffering from premature ovarian failure, traditional surrogacy is the only hope left and hence is preferred.

The process description and its detail might be lucid to read but both the processes are equally complex and require expertise of experienced doctors and surgeons who have proven skills of treating infertility and have successfully seen through the processes involved in surrogacy. At Ridge IVF, we have some of the best doctors who have for years seen through the process of surrogacy and have aided surrogate mothers in bringing joy on the face of couples who were suffering from conditions of infertility.

We are committed to providing high quality treatment and services for male and female infertility
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