Pros and Cons of Surrogacy [What you Should Know]

Key Points:

• Surrogacy can be a beautiful experience, but there are some things to consider before you embark on this journey.
• There are many benefits to becoming a surrogate, from financial compensation to creating a lasting bond.
• Although there are risks involved in the surrogacy process, the reward is being able to give the gift of parenthood.

Surrogacy is a complex process that comes with many twists and turns. At its core, surrogacy is an incredible decision to give a hopeful couple or person the chance to have a child that shares their genetics. You get to be the catalyst for them to have the family of their dreams.

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Surrogacy is a beautiful journey to embark on, but as with any journey, you may encounter obstacles along the way.

Becoming a surrogate is never a decision that should be made lightly. It’s important you have done your own thorough research and have asked yourself some important questions, such as:

• Why do you want to become a surrogate?
• Do you have a support system you can lean on?
• Do you enjoy being pregnant enough to carry someone else’s child?
• Are you capable of administering fertility drugs to yourself?

These are just a few of the surrogacy pros and cons you should think about before beginning your surrogacy journey so that you can be prepared for everything the surrogacy process may bring.

Benefits of Surrogacy

The pros of surrogacy cannot be stated enough.  While you’re giving the intended parents the ultimate gift of a child of their own, surrogacy can have a positive impact on your life as well.

A Rewarding Experience

Surrogacy is an immensely rewarding experience. The decision that comes from the altruistic desire to give a couple struggling with infertility, a single intended parent or an LGBT couple the opportunity to have a biological child of their own is the ultimate gift.

Not everyone has what it takes to become a surrogate, which is why the screening process is so intensive. That makes what you’re doing even more special. You are prepared to take on whatever challenges may come your way to give the intended parents the family of their dreams.

Financial Compensation

One of the more alluring benefits of surrogacy is the financial compensation. As a surrogate, not only will you not need to cover your own pregnancy and surrogacy expenses, but you will be compensated for your service.

You will receive a base compensation in monthly installments. This money can be spent how you want. Many surrogates put it towards paying off debt, putting a payment down on a house or just caring for their families. You will also receive a monthly allowance from the intended parents that will cover any surrogacy or pregnancy expenses incurred.

A Lasting Bond

Many surrogates form life-long friendships with the intended parents they help. Depending on what arrangements you and the intended parents agree on once the baby has been born, you will be able to stay in contact with the intended parents through emails, texts, phone calls, video chats or in-person visits. Because surrogacy is such an intimate and collaborative process, you can form a lasting bond with the intended parents if both are open to it.

Experiencing Pregnancy

While pregnancy can be one of the challenges of surrogacy, this is a highlight for many surrogates. If you miss the way you felt when you were pregnant with your own child, then carrying a child for the intended parents can help meet this need. Whether you miss the “glow” of being pregnant or the feeling of creating and carrying life, surrogacy will allow you to experience the joys of pregnancy without having to have another child.

Risks of Surrogacy

While the benefits of surrogacy are undeniable, there are cons of surrogacy you should be aware of before beginning the process.

Commitment

Surrogacy will require a lot of commitment on your part. Surrogacy will occupy up to a year or more of your life. Between the screening process, matching process, embryo transfer and pregnancy, you will be devoting a substantial amount of your time to the surrogacy process. It can take up to 12 weeks alone just to prepare for the embryo transfer through fertility treatments. This could end up being longer if the first transfer doesn’t result in a pregnancy.

You will also need to make time for doctor’s appointments and surrogacy consultations. You will need to coordinate all of this with your job, child care and other responsibilities in your daily life. On top of that, you will need to change your lifestyle to accommodate your pregnancy.

Pregnancy

While getting to be pregnant might be one of the motivating factors for you to become a surrogate, pregnancy can also be considered one of the risks of surrogacy. If you’re becoming a surrogate, then you already have had a child or children of your own. You’re already familiar with the physical and emotional challenges that come with being pregnant.

You may have been ready to take on these challenges when it came to your own child, but are you willing to do so for the intended parents? This is important to take into account before you begin your surrogacy journey.

It’s an Emotional Time

While surrogacy is a physically demanding process, there are a lot of complex emotions involved. Even if you are certain about becoming a surrogate and                                                                                                  

The complex emotions that are sometimes associated with the process could be one of the surrogacy cons. While surrogates care deeply for the child they’re carrying, many report not feeling as attached as they did to their own child. In fact, many surrogates feel closer to the intended parents. This makes the transfer of the baby easier.

However, with the pregnancy hormones, the effect pregnancy may have on your day-to-day life and carrying a child for someone else, you might find yourself dealing with complicated emotions. This is part of what makes your decision to be a surrogate such a selfless decision; you’re willing to experience these emotions in order to give a family the gift of a child.

If you have questions or concerns about the advantages and disadvantages of surrogacy, reach out to a professional today to get the support you need.