A Complete Guide to Traditional Surrogacy

A Complete Guide to Traditional Surrogacy : Nowadays, traditional surrogacy (in which the surrogate acts as, both, carrier, and egg donor) is less common due to the legal and emotional implications of the genetic connection between surrogate and child.

Most surrogacy agencies and intended parent considering surrogacy opt for gestational surrogacy, nevertheless, traditional surrogacy is still a viable, if uncommon, option.

If you are considering pursuing a traditional surrogacy journey, you should learn as much as possible about how it works, how much it costs and so forth. Only then will you be able to decide if this form of surrogacy is the right choice for you and your family.

Traditional Surrogacy Definition

Traditional surrogacy occurs when a woman carries a baby (or babies, in the case of a twin surrogate pregnancy) that she is biologically related to. The surrogate and the child are genetically linked because the surrogate’s eggs are used during the conception process. Typically, pregnancy is achieved via an Artificial Insemination (AI) process which uses the sperm of the intended father (or a sperm donor) to fertilize the surrogate’s egg.

(Note: This type of surrogacy is sometimes referred to as a “straight surrogacy” or “natural surrogacy”.)

Who are the intended parents?

The following people might consider pursuing traditional surrogacy:

People who have struggled with infertility
Hopeful single parents
Gay couples
People who don’t mind the fact that there is a genetic link between the surrogate and their child

What’s the traditional surrogacy process like?

In general, the traditional surrogacy process involves finding a surrogacy match, undergoing the medical and psychological screening, drafting a legal agreement, and completing the fertility treatment.

Surrogacy agencies usually only work with gestational surrogates, so it’s likely that prospective parents considering a traditional journey would need to find a surrogate on their own. Said parents will not have a team of professionals to work with, however, they must work with an attorney who specializes in third party reproduction.

Once a match has been found, the surrogate will need to complete the medical and psychological screening to ensure she is eligible. After the clinic clears the surrogate, both parties – prospective parents and surrogate – will work with a surrogacy lawyer to draft the contract. (Note: Each party must have their own lawyer.)

Once the screenings are completed and the surrogacy contract is signed, the fertility process can begin. Typically, pregnancy will be achieved via intrauterine insemination (IUI), a process that involves artificially inseminating the surrogate with the intended father’s (or donor’s) sperm.

From there, the surrogate will carry the baby to term as with any other pregnancy. Once the child is born, the prospective parents will welcome their child and complete any post-birth legal measures.

How much does traditional surrogacy cost?

In general, the total cost of traditional surrogacy can range from $60,000–$100,000. This cost includes medical treatment, lawyer fees, counseling fees, and surrogate compensation.

Traditional surrogacy risks

A traditional surrogacy journey involves greater emotional and legal challenges than a gestational journey because the surrogate and the baby share a genetic link. This can create a strong emotional bond between the baby and the surrogate which can make it difficult for the surrogate to give the baby to the prospective parents.

In addition, traditional surrogacy regulations are usually more complicated than gestational surrogacy regulations. Again, this is because the surrogate is the biological mother of the child and has parental rights that will need to be legally terminated after the child is born.

Is traditional surrogacy the right option for you?

Choosing to pursue surrogacy to fulfill your dream of parenthood is a very personal decision no matter which form of surrogacy (gestational surrogacy or traditional surrogacy) you choose. Therefore, you need to know as much as possible about the process.

This includes contacting an attorney with experience in traditional surrogacy.

The attorney will provide information about the legal implications of this form of surrogacy as well as information concerning local regulations. While traditional surrogacy can be a long and challenging process, it is a real and rewarding option for hopeful parents seeking to complete their families.