| The term surrogacy is used when a woman carries a pregnancy and gives birth to a baby for another woman.
Types of Surrogacy
Surrogacy can be divided into Natural surrogacy and Gestational surrogacy.
- Gestational surrogacy (IVF surrogacy / full surrogacy)
This is where a woman carries a pregnancy created by the egg and sperm of genetic couple. The carrier is not genetically related to the child.
- Natural surrogacy (traditional surrogacy / straight surrogacy)
Here, the surrogate is inseminated with sperm from the male partner's of an infertile couple. The child that results is genetically related to the surrogate and to the male partner but not to the commissioning female partner.
Indications for Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy
- Women whose ovaries are producing eggs but they do not have uterus, may be because they have had a hysterectomy (removal of uterus) or they were born without a uterus. This is by far the most common indication for Gestational surrogacy.
- A woman whose uterus is malformed or damaged and is incapable of carrying a pregnancy to term, may be recommended Gestational surrogacy.
- Women who suffer from medical problems such as diabetes, heart and kidney diseases and in whom a pregnancy would be life threatening. However, their long term prospect for health is good.
- Repeated miscarriages where the causes of miscarriage have been fully investigated, may also suggest Gestational surrogacy treatment.
Traditional surrogacy
- Women who have no functioning ovaries due to premature menopause ( some may argue that the best option for these patients is egg donation).
- A woman who is at risk of passing on a genetic disease to her offspring, may opt for traditional surrogacy.
- As with IVF surrogacy, women who suffer from medical problems such as diabetes, heart and kidney diseases and in whom a pregnancy would be life threatening may select traditional surrogacy if their long term prospect for health is good.
Surrogacy India does not advocate or promote Traditional Surrogacy. |
