It is believed that motherhood completes a woman, yet it becomes a controversial subject as soon as we talk about gaining it through some unnatural technique. Surrogacy is one such method that allows a woman to have a child of her own. There are several misconceptions related to surrogacy. Some religions call it immoral, but the fact remains that it is a ray of hope for childless couples.
Surrogacy is a process in which a female carries and gives birth to a couple’s child. It could be either traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate’s egg is artificially inseminated with the male’s sperms, or gestational surrogacy, where the couple’s egg and sperms are fertilized to form an embryo, which is then implanted in the surrogate’s uterus. The couple is the child’s biological parents, while the surrogate mother acts like an incubator to develop the child.
Surrogacy is preferred when the couple is homosexual or when the female:
- Has had repeated miscarriages or
- Suffers from premature ovarian failure or
- Has had unsuccessful Alternative Reproductive Treatment(ART) or
- Suffers from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome(PCOS) or
- Has undergone hysterectomy or
- Has some genetic disorder
Fertility specialists advise couples to have their first child in the 20s. Chances of conceiving drop as women grow older. They insist upon tests that detect signs of infertility in both, men and women. According to them, good health does not guarantee fertility as it is something happening within our bodies. Hectic lifestyle is one of the major reasons that force a couple to postpone childbirth and once the woman crosses 40, it becomes extremely hard for her to conceive naturally. Women should keep a track of their menstrual cycle and utilize those days when the chances of conceiving are optimum.
Before a couple selects a surrogate mother, they should keep a few things in mind. She should:
- Be in the age group of 21-35 years
- Have no history of any serious ailment
- Have carried and delivered atleast one baby normally
- Not smoke, drink alcohol or do drugs
- Immune against infectious diseases like measles
Often, friends or family agree to carry the intended couple’s child. If not, there are surrogacy agencies that can be contacted for the same. It is an expensive and time-consuming process. A contract is signed between the intended parents and the surrogate to avoid any kind of discrepancy in the future. Usually, the surrogate is looked after by the intended parents during pregnancy. Surrogacy laws vary from one country to another, so the legal issues need to be taken care of accordingly.
Although, surrogacy comes along with its own baggage of complications, the happiness and joy it provides to childless couples does compensate for everything else.
