When people pursue surrogacy to grow their families, embryos are an important part of that process. Aspiring parents use their own gametes in many cases or work with medical professionals to select donors.
A gestational surrogate then carries the pregnancy to term. It is common practice to create multiple embryos and keep them in storage until a family is done with surrogacy. Those completing the surrogacy process could potentially still have numerous other viable embryos in storage. Addressing those embryos is necessary when establishing a thorough surrogacy contract with a medical provider.
What options do parents have?
Those growing their families through surrogacy typically need to sign very thorough contracts. These agreements help establish parental rights and ensure the protection of everyone involved in a surrogacy arrangement.
Having specific plans in place for any unused embryos can prevent unexpected expenses and disputes from arising in the future. Parents can agree to continue paying for embryo storage in case they choose to have more children in the future.
They can also arrange for the donation of their embryos to others who may not have viable embryos or the ability to donate gametes. Some couples even opt for the destruction of unused embryos.
There are financial and personal implications for each of these options. Couples often need to discuss the matter carefully before choosing what works best for their personal beliefs and preferences.
Partnering with a surrogacy lawyer makes it easier for those growing their families through assistive reproductive technology to understand their options. The right contract terms can protect aspiring parents from emotional challenges and future legal disputes.