Surrogacy As A Solution To Infertility

Introduction

Infertility is the inability of a couple to conceive despite having regular unprotected sex. This can lead to a developmental crisis for individuals, relationships, and families since the inability to reproduce can cause negative feelings to a person that may result in a poor quality of life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infertility is considered a global public health issue that affects a significant proportion of humanity. For that reason, many couples undergo surrogacy. The first introduction of in vitro fertilization in 1978 captured the interest among the public that resulted in the emergence of an innovative technology which is known as Surrogacy. It is very essential in infertility treatment, wherein advent of in vitro fertilization (IVF) has made motherhood possible for women without uterus, with difficulties having pregnancies or with serious health problems, to achieve motherhood through the help of embryo created by themselves or donor and transferred to the uterus of gestational carrier. With this, it can provide an opportunity for the infertile couples achieve parenthood.

Discussion

Surrogacy involves a legal agreement between the surrogate and intended parents, which puts the child under the custody of the parents immediately after birth. A surrogate is important to carry out this process and it is a woman who agrees to become pregnant on behalf of the couple or another person. After giving birth, the surrogate will give up the baby for adoption by the parents. Surrogacy can either be the commercial and altruistic arrangement. In commercial surrogacy, the surrogate will be paid for the process and if she does not receives a payment; it is regarded as altruistic surrogacy.

The types of surrogacy are classified into two: traditional and gestational surrogacy. The traditional surrogacy is practiced the longest but it is rarely done anymore. The surrogate uses her egg and is inseminated with the intended father’s sperm that results in a surrogate’s biological link to the child she carries. A woman who cannot produce healthy eggs, couples who are same-sex male or a single male may consider this type of surrogacy. On the other hand, in gestational surrogacy or often referred to as a gestational carrier, the child has no genetic connection to the surrogate mother. In this case, the surrogate undergoes in vitro fertilization and the intended parents use their egg and sperm to achieve the development of embryo which is transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. This is the most common type of surrogacy because it is less legally complicated and the gestational carrier or surrogate mother does not involve a genetic link to the child. Women with ovaries but no uterus may be able to use this type of process and this can also be an option for women who cannot have pregnancies due to serious medical problems.

Recommendation

There are many benefits and disadvantages of surrogacy and before pursuing this process, you should be aware of the circumstances or implications that may occur. A prospective surrogate must consider her emotional reactions in conceiving the child. This includes the possibility of miscarriages and giving up the child if the pregnancy is successful. For the intended parents, you and your partner should be emotionally and financially prepared if ever the child develops a medical condition and it requires a big amount of money to undergo this process. Also, choosing whether you want to pursue a gestational carrier or traditional surrogate can be difficult. Lastly, surrogacy is a life-changing process for both surrogate and intended parents, therefore, know all the information first and undergo counseling before proceeding to this process.

References

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