Surrogates and Egg Donors: Should You Become One?
Surrogacy and egg donation give the gift of parenthood to couples who otherwise couldn’t achieve this life goal on their own. Becoming a surrogate or egg donor is an incredible, selfless act of love, but is it right for you? Before taking the steps to become a surrogate or egg donor, it’s important that you understand what’s involved and how it affects you and your family. Today, The IVF Warrior shares some important information you need to know.
Surrogates and Egg Donors: Should You Become One?
How Surrogacy Works The number of babies born to surrogates is on the rise, but many families still don’t understand exactly how surrogacy works. As Verywell Family notes, most surrogates are gestational surrogates, meaning the child they carry is genetically related to the intended parents, not the surrogate. Traditional surrogacy, which uses an egg from the surrogate, is discouraged or prohibited in most US states, but is legal in Canada.
Surrogacy agencies match parents with suitable surrogates. Surrogates are screened for mental, physical, and financial ability to carry a pregnancy to term. Once viable embryos are available, surrogates undergo fertility treatments, and the embryo is implanted. Following implantation, the surrogate follows through with prenatal care up until birth.
What’s Required of Surrogates
Beyond the beauty of giving another family the joy of a new addition, many women love being pregnant. They love the sensations of a life growing inside them, and they love providing a healthy start for an infant through their nutrition and exercise choices. But regardless of how much you enjoy these ideas, you must meet certain criteria to become a surrogate mother.
A surrogate must:
Be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant
Be between 21 and 41 years old
Have a BMI under 33
Be financially stable
Have history of uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery
Have the support of her family
The state you live in also affects whether you can become a surrogate. Louisiana, Michigan and New York are not surrogate-friendly states, meaning they prohibit compensation for surrogates and/or don’t recognize surrogacy contracts.
Deciding to Become a Surrogate
Becoming a surrogate is a big decision that involves not only you, but your family too. It’s important that surrogates have the support of spouses and children before pursuing surrogacy. A spouse may need to take on extra work around the home during your pregnancy and forgo intimacy during fertility treatments. A child may not understand why their parent is pregnant but not bringing home a little brother or sister.
Surrogates should discuss their decision with the family; when everyone understands why surrogacy is important to you and how household responsibilities will be managed, the process is easier for everyone to bear.
How Egg Donation Works
Parents-to-be may use egg donation when a woman is experiencing infertility, has a history of failed pregnancies, or has genetic health conditions she wants to avoid passing to a child.
Except in cases where families choose an egg donor from friends or family, most egg donors are anonymously matched to parents. Women who choose to become egg donors do so for the satisfaction of helping other families. Women who donate eggs also receive financial compensation.
Per The Penny Hoarder, egg donors must self-administer injections of fertility medications and undergo monitoring via ultrasounds and blood testing. When the eggs are ready for retrieval, ovulation is stimulated, and the eggs removed under sedation before being transferred to the intended parent’s uterus.
What’s Required of Egg Donors
Donors must meet certain criteria; for instance, you must:
Have an education beyond high school
Be between 21 and 28 years old
Be willing to provide a detailed medical history
Have a BMI between 18 and 28
Deciding to Become an Egg Donor
While egg donation has less effect on a donor’s life than surrogacy, women who are egg donors may experience side effects from fertility drugs and disruptions to daily routines. Donors need support from their families, and in order to be supportive, family members need to be educated about egg donation. Discuss why you want to be an egg donor and what it entails. You may discuss the emotional and financial aspects with your spouse, but when talking to children, focus on the gift of parenthood and how profoundly happy you’re making another family. Also, find ways to reduce stress, including eating healthy, sleeping well, taking deep breaths, and exercising.
At the end of the day, surrogacy and egg donation aren’t right for everyone — and that’s ok. It’s a big commitment to change your own body for another family and it takes the right person to do it. For the women who do choose the path of egg donation and surrogacy, they’ll know that every ounce of discomfort pales in comparison to the boundless joy their gift brings to another couple.
The IVF Warrior works to empower, educate, and support those struggling with infertility issues, while also raising awareness and educating others about the impact infertility and loss has on those it affects.
Cheryl Conklin created Wellness Central from her desire to share various resources and her thoughts on wellness. Apart from blogging, she enjoys traveling and going on endless adventures, and writing about her experiences at the end of the day.
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider or qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.