One of the most fulfilling and generous gestures that women can offer is to become a surrogate mother. You have the gift of offering a family parenthood and when you decide to help them you go through all the emotions and legal issues positively. You will be compensated for your efforts which will help you towards caring for your own family.
Here are a few tips to help you become a surrogate mother.
Decide to work with an agency or privately
If you plan to go through an agency, you will have to fill out an application with your details and verify that you are doing this of your own intent. There are several legal issues involved which the agency will handle but if you plan to go it alone then you should be prepared to face each problem one by one.
Undergo examinations
Testing is important to ensure that you are not carrying any viruses that may affect the baby. You should be of sound mind and enjoy good physical health. If you work through an agency, they may help with bearing some of the costs towards testing.
What are the compensations?
This varies from one surrogate mother to the next. Most of the money that you get is to help through the pregnancy period. Work with the agency to ensure that all your rights are met before you sign the contract as they will hire legal professionals if you work privately you will have to do this on your own.
Points to note when becoming a surrogate mother
Talk to family members and friends when you decide to become a surrogate mother. Some people may place an ad in the paper. Be cautious and get character references before you agree to go through the process. An agency will verify the details for you.
What are the problems one can face?
The father may have problems with genetic issues. These genes will be injected into the egg of the surrogate mother. Get the required tests done within a week of collecting the sperm and 30 days of retrieval of egg. Be wary of legal issues involved and schedule the meetings with parents and doctor appointments at your convenience.
How does it work?
There are two ways of going about the surrogacy. One is the traditional way when the surrogate mother becomes the biological mother of the baby. She is inseminated artificially with the sperm of the biological father and this could be either an anonymous donor or the father who is going to raise the child.
The second method is vitro fertilization or gestational surrogacy where the eggs from the prospective father and the prospective mother are fertilized outside the body before it is placed in the womb of the surrogate mother. In this case, the surrogate mother is not attached to the baby genetically.
Hire a good lawyer
Make sure to get a good lawyer who can address all major points For instance, he should clearly indicate the legalities, type of surrogacy and right and obligations by expanding each clause. It is important to draw up a schedule of the tests and all include financial obligations involved for check-ups and compensations.
Getting ready for becoming a surrogate mother
The uterine cavity or endometrial has to be prepared in readiness for the transfer of the embryo. Follow the doctor’s advice and take hormone and estrogen injections as suggested. The doctor will decide with you if the delivery is going to be normal or induced. Involve the parents through the pregnancy and let them see how well you are coping with the pregnancy. Be cheerful and strong as the process will be emotionally and mentally taxing. Seek support from other surrogate mothers or visit a counselor in case you are emotionally over-wrought.
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