Surrogacy Myths That Hold Modern Family Building Back
At Fertility Source Companies, we understand the sensitivities that surround gestational surrogacy. Despite the complexity of third-party reproduction, for many modern families surrogacy makes possible what had perhaps been deemed impossible. Within the potential swirl of doubt and happiness felt by all parties during a surrogacy agreement, joy can prevail when people learn the facts and dispel the myths and misconceptions about surrogacy.
Myth: There is only one type of surrogacy.
Fact: The are two types of surrogacy agreements.
There are two types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational. Traditional surrogacy has become increasingly rare. It involves a surrogate using her own egg combined with the male’s sperm, though she does not assume any parental rights of the resulting children. With gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries a baby conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) with the intended parents’ – or donors’ – egg and sperm. In this case, the surrogate is not biologically related to the child or children she gives birth to.
Myth: Surrogates are close family friends of the intended parents.
Fact: A gestational surrogate may be a family friend but can also be a woman working with a surrogacy agency, depending on the laws of your state.
Some prospective parents feel uncomfortable about being either too close or too remote from their surrogate. For many, the option to work through an agency feels more comfortable than turning to a friend or family member, because a surrogacy agency and its case manager can keep the process organized and on track. This decision is ultimately up to the intended parents prior to seeking the surrogacy agreement.
Myth: A surrogate will have parental rights.
Fact: Surrogacy agreements in states where they are permitted are vetted by a family attorney and establish parental rights for the intended parents.
Women become surrogates for many reasons, but none of those reasons is the desire to mother a baby for the long term. When intended parents and surrogates sign the surrogacy agreement, they agree that the prospective parent(s) and not the surrogate will assume parental rights of the baby when born. The execution of this contract is followed by a pre-birth order – a written declaration by these parties – that is certified by a judge in some states or completed by adoption in others.
If you are considering working with a surrogate but have concerns, you’ve come to the right place. Contact Fertility Source Companies or our surrogacy division, The Surrogacy Source, to speak with a specialist today.
