Methods of surrogacy have changed over the years. Some traditional options are still used, but they are less common than more modern approaches.
Traditional surrogacy occurs when the sperm from the intended father—or a donor—is used to artificially inseminate the surrogate herself. The surrogate’s own eggs are used to establish the pregnancy. She then carries the baby, gives birth and transfers custody to the intended parents.
This means that the surrogate is biologically related to the child. She and the child share DNA because her eggs were used in the pregnancy. Advances in reproductive technology have caused this option to become less common than it once was.
Gestational surrogacy
The biggest shift over the decades has been toward gestational surrogacy, which is now the more common approach that most prospective parents choose.
With gestational surrogacy, the surrogate does not provide the egg. Instead, both the egg and sperm are obtained from other individuals, such as the intended parents or donors. An embryo is then created from this material and implanted into the surrogate, who carries the baby to term.
A major difference is that, although the gestational surrogate carries the child and gives birth, she does not share DNA with the baby and is not considered the child’s biological mother.
The surrogacy process
Are you and your partner interested in surrogacy, and have you begun exploring your options? The process can be legally and emotionally complex, but it may provide a path toward building the family you have been hoping for. It is often beneficial to work with an experienced attorney while navigating these important decisions.