What Is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is an arrangement between a couple or single parent and a surrogate mother to carry and give birth to a child for them. This can be done through a variety of methods, including traditional surrogacy, which occurs when the surrogate is the biological mother of the child, and gestational surrogacy, which occurs when the surrogate is not biologically related to the child. In both cases, the intended parents will legally be the parents of the child, and the surrogate mother will have no parental rights.

Traditional Surrogacy
Traditional surrogacy occurs when the surrogate is the biological mother of the child. The intended parents and the surrogate mother use Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to achieve pregnancy. The surrogate mother is impregnated with a sperm sample provided by the intended father. The surrogate mother then carries, gives birth to and recovers from the pregnancy and childbirth.

Gestational Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy is a type of surrogacy in which the surrogate is not the biological mother, but rather is implanted with an embryo created from the intended mother’s egg and the intended father’s sperm. This can also be done with donor eggs and sperm. The gestational surrogate then carries, gives birth to, and recovers from the pregnancy and childbirth.

Conclusion
Surrogacy is an important alternative for families who are unable to conceive a child on their own. With the advancements in fertility treatments, surrogacy allows couples to become parents while still preserving their relationships with the surrogate mother. Furthermore, it is important to remember that surrogacy is a very personal, legal and medical process and the decisions involved should not be taken lightly. It is important to consult with a professional Surrogacy agency to ensure that all legal, medical and ethical guidelines are being followed.