Longing for a baby? Surrogacy could put an end to the misery

Infertility is a global epidemic affecting millions of people. It is one of the most difficult challenges faced by married couples. It is definitely an emotive topic, but an important one. People look for solutions but most of them end up with disappointment. But, that should not be the case. With the new developments in technology, scientists have come up with ways that can help a couple’s dream of having a child come true. Surrogacy is one such solution.  

Lisa Ray, the Indo Canadian actress became a mother of twins Sufi and Soliel recently, via surrogacy. She also revealed in an interview that she wanted to share her story with everyone to eliminate the stigma around surrogacy. In a study conducted by Middlesex University, London, investigators studied the attitude of 187 women towards surrogacy. They found out that only 8 out of these women were willing to become genetic surrogate mothers and 9 gestational surrogates. 

To end the stigma and clear the doubts, here is what you need to know about surrogacy. 

What is Surrogacy? 

The definition is pretty simple – when a couple is not able to conceive because wither one or both partners are medically unfit to have a baby. In medical terms, surrogacy is a method of where a woman is artificially inseminated with the sperm of the father. She carries the baby in her womb and delivers it to the couple.

Also read: How to Become a Surrogate Parent?

Types of Surrogacy 

There are two main types of surrogacy are gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy. 

Gestational Surrogacy 

A gestational surrogate is a woman who carries a baby that has been conceived using the egg of the intended mother, or an egg donor, and sperm from the intended father or sperm donor. A gestational mother does not have any genetic connections to the baby, which makes an infertile couple feel secure, knowing that the surrogate mother can’t keep their baby. 

Traditional Surrogacy 

Traditional surrogate mothers are the ones who use their egg and are artificially inseminated by the intended fathers or sperm donor. The egg or the sperm or both be taken from a donor if required. A traditional surrogate mother is basically the baby’s biological mother because it’s her egg that was fertilised by the intended father. 

What you should consider before Surrogacy 

When you are thinking about choosing surrogacy then there are certain things that you should consider. 

• Make sure that the surrogate mother is fit and healthy 
• Her blood pressure, sugar levels, etc. should be normal 
• She should have given birth to a baby before 
• She should be between the ages of 21 and 40 
• She should be mentally fit 
• You should know the understand the procedure well before going for it 
• Make all the legal arrangements and clear everything with the surrogate mother 
• The woman does not drink alcohol, illegal drugs, or cigarettes and no abusive behaviour in the past

Who Should Opt for Surrogacy 

Women or couples who may choose surrogacy to include:

• Women who are unable to carry a child to term 
• Women who have had multiple pregnancy losses 
• Women who are unable to conceive due to a missing or abnormal uterus 
• Women who have had multiple failed attempts of in vitro fertilization 
• Women with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart condition or liver disease

Read more articles on Pregnancy. 

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