DIFFERENT KINDS OF SURROGACY
• Traditional Surrogacy: The surrogate mother contributes her own egg, but the sperm comes from the father-to-be or from a donor. The baby is conceived by means of artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization.
• Gestational Surrogacy: When the egg and the spermatozoon are contributed by the couple that requested the surrogacy. The intended parents create embryos that are transferred to the surrogate mother and the surrogate mother gestates the child but, in this case, the pregnant woman does not have any genetic relation with the baby and is known as the “carrying mother” or gestational carrier. This pregnancy is reached by means of in vitro fertilization exclusively.
• Altruistic Surrogacy: When the woman who carries the pregnancy does it without expecting a financial gain. That is to say, she does not receive payment for her services (carrying a baby). The biological parents are responsible for all of the medical and legal expenses, and they may compensate the mother for other aspects directly related to the pregnancy, like maternity clothes.
• Lucrative Surrogacy: When the surrogate mother offers to carry the pregnancy in exchange for a sum of money. In this case, the mothers usually operate through an agency specialized in surrogate maternity. The amount received varies according to the negotiated contract and usually includes additional payments for multiples or high-risk pregnancies.
Surrogate maternity is currently just another possibility to fulfill the yearning to be parents. Whether for physical, psychological, or purely superficial reasons, using a surrogate mother is becoming a more popular practice for many.
What about you? Are you into the idea of a surrogate pregnancy or does it sound awkward, uncomfortable, or immoral to you?
