Gestational Carrier vs. Surrogate Mother
When intended parents make the decision to begin their journey to build a family, they may be surprised at the surplus of options available to them to aid them in their goal of welcoming a child into the world. If you have always envisioned raising a child but are unable to have one on your own, surrogacy is a great avenue to help your dream become a reality. When considering surrogacy, it is important you know the difference between a gestational carrier and a traditional surrogate mother. While there are pros and cons to each type of surrogacy, we want to help you have all the facts so you can decide which type may best fit your needs.
Elevate Baby is a surrogacy agency in California helping intended parents decide whether surrogacy is the best fit for them as they begin the journey of building a family. At Elevate Baby, we only offer gestational surrogacy services. However, we believe that it is important to understand the differences between gestational and traditional surrogacy so that intended parents can have the knowledge and confidence to make an informed decision based on what is best for their needs.
How Are Surrogate Mothers Impregnated?
A traditional surrogate mother refers to a woman who shares a genetic link to the baby that they will carry on behalf of the intended parents. With traditional surrogacy, impregnating the surrogate is relatively simple. The doctors will take the sperm of the intended father and artificially inseminate the surrogate mother. The surrogate mother will carry the baby to term and deliver the child to the intended parents. Because the egg of the surrogate was used as opposed to that of the intended mother or another woman selected by the intended parents, the surrogate mother will have a genetic connection to the child.
Traditional surrogacy has become less and less popular through the years and present unique legal challenges due to the genetic contribution of the surrogate mother. At Elevate Baby, our surrogacy team only works with gestational carriers to ensure that we follow all laws regarding surrogacy.
How Gestational Carriers Are Impregnated
A gestational carrier is a woman who carries and delivers a child for intended parents and does not have any biological connection to the baby they are carrying. When intended parents decide to go with gestational surrogacy, the doctor or fertility specialist will take an egg from the intended mother or egg donor and fertilize them with the intended father’s or donor’s sperm. Once the embryo is formed via in vitro fertilization, commonly referred to as IVF, then the gestational carrier can undergo an embryo transfer to hopefully become pregnant.
Some heterosexual couples may use their own genetic material to create embryos while same-sex couples and single intended parents will alway require a sperm or egg donor before creating embryos to transfer to the gestational carrier.
Why Do Intended Parents Choose Gestational Carriers?
There are many different reasons why intended parents may be unable to have a child on their own. When it comes to wanting to welcome a child into the world, there is nothing wrong with needing some help to make that dream come true. Many intended parents have dreamed their entire lives of having a child with a biological connection to them. Gestational carriers give intended parents that gift.
When intended parents choose gestational surrogacy, not only will they be able to build their family, but they also have the option to recognize their own traits in them as they grow. While a biological connection isn’t required or even always wanted for intended parents, having the option for this makes gestational carriers appealing for many intended parents.
If you are considering gestational surrogacy and have other questions regarding the journey and whether it is the best option for you, contact our California surrogacy agency at Elevate Baby today to learn more.
Match With One of Our Gestational Carriers at Elevate Baby Today
At Elevate Baby, we understand that the choice to begin your family planning journey as you consider gestational surrogacy is an exciting time. For intended parents looking for a surrogate, gestational surrogacy can offer the chance of welcoming a child into their family that will have a biological connection to them. Elevate Baby founders Kyle Dean Massey and Taylor Frey have gone through the journey themselves and know firsthand how impactful surrogacy can be for the intended parents and the gestational carrier they are matched with.
With years of experience serving high-profile and celebrity clients, we are proud to treat all intended parents with the same concierge-level service to ensure joyful and successful journeys. Contact us today for more information regarding gestational carriers by calling (323) 933-8918 or filling out our contact form.
Getting Started
Whether you are interested in surrogacy or egg donation as an intended parent or potential donor, the process can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Begin your journey today!