Surrogacy is a process, often backed by a legal agreement wherein the surrogate mother or carrier agrees to bear a child for another woman, who would become the parents after its birth. It is an answer to what is it called when someone else carries your baby.
The concept of Surrogacy harbors many myths and misconceptions that shed away the real emotion attached to it. The emotional value, trust, and promise of delivering a child have been reduced to infertility, which is never the onliest reason for people opting for Surrogacy.
The Begining of Surrogacy
Did you know the first tale of Surrogacy dates back to 1984 - the Baby M case? Bill and Betsy Stern hired a surrogate for their baby. Mary Beth Whitehead, the surrogate, was compensated with $10,000 for the procedure.
Also, the first legal surrogacy agreement was drawn in 1976 by lawyer Noel Keane also referred to as the ‘Father of Surrogate Parenting.’ It was a traditional surrogacy, but the first one was backed by a legal agreement.
True or False? Bursting Myths of Surrogate Parenting
As we destigmatize the myths assorted with Surrogacy, here are some points that unfurl and relay the real reasons, eradicating fictional stories weaved around the process, reducing it to its commercial value. What are the ethical issues of surrogacy? Does surrogate mother affect the child? And may more myths are unfurled below.
Surrogacy is for the Riches
While it holds true that Surrogacy is being adopted by several eminent personalities or public figures, the cost of Surrogacy depends on many factors. The cost of the agency providing you with a surrogate mother, fees of a surrogate mother, childbirth costs, and alike. Surrogacy can be opted with precise planning to make it a cost-effective affair!
Surrogate mother is the Biological Mother of the Child.
There are two types of Surrogacy - gestational and traditional. In gestational Surrogacy, the sperm and the egg of the intended parents are placed in the womb of the surrogate mother. The biological rights remain with the intended parents, making them the real or birth parents of the child.
However, in traditional Surrogacy, the sperm of the intended father is taken and fused with the egg of the surrogate mother. In this process, the surrogate mother remains the biological mother of the child.
Difficult in Developing Bond with the Baby
As soon as the baby walks into the world with its first tender cry, the intended mother holds the baby for skin-to-skin contact. The surrogate baby is nothing short of a real one.
What if the Surrogate Mother Wants the Baby?
The reason why surrogacy holds prominence is because of its legal aspect. The entire process of surrogacy is validated and signed between the concerned parties to avoid any discrepancies at the time of delivering the baby.
Do babies get traits from surrogate?
In gestational surrogacy, the baby will only share DNA with the person who has provided the sperm and the person who has provided the egg. Thus the baby shall possess the traits of his/her biological intended parents.
Different countries have their own laws and regulations surrounding surrogacy practices. Today, many countries like India bans the commercial practices of surrogacy, prohibiting its money-making praxis. Single parent surrogacy in India has been exposed to quite some changes in regards to laws or rules. Opting for Surrogacy makes you no less of a birth parent or a loving mother. Your bond with the child is real, and it never makes you any less competent as a mother. Time to unfold the truths and give a wake-up call to people who have been looking at this authentic and natural process with indifference.
It’s crucial to seek legal advice while planning surrogacy. Do know the rules and laws of the country you are nestled in before going for surrogacy.
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