Traditional Surrogacy (Simply Explained in 2 Minutes)

This article serves as a complete short guide to traditional surrogacy, covering its definition, process, history, legal and ethical considerations, as well as the benefits and risks associated with it for both surrogates and intended parents.

It also discusses alternatives to traditional surrogacy, such as gestational surrogacy and adoption, and offers advice on choosing traditional surrogacy, including important considerations and steps to take.

What is Traditional Surrogacy?

Traditional Surrogacy involves a surrogacy arrangement where a surrogate mother, who is also the biological mother, carries a child for the intended parents. This process is usually accomplished through artificial insemination, although natural conception may occur in some instances. Traditional Surrogacy is a multifaceted process that encompasses medical procedures, legal agreements, and the emotional aspects of pregnancy.

Definition and Process

Traditional Surrogacy is a process similar to gestational surrogacy, with the key distinction being that the surrogate mother uses her own eggs, making her the biological mother of the child she carries for the future parents.

Once the parents select their surrogate mother, the insemination process follows. In traditional surrogacy, insemination is artificial, involving the surrogate mother receiving the intended father’s sperm or sperm from a donor. Following insemination, the surrogate mother undergoes regular medical monitoring to ensure a healthy pregnancy progression.

Throughout the process, the intended parents offer emotional support to the surrogate mother and participate in important prenatal care appointments. Ultimately, the surrogate mother gives birth to the baby, and legal procedures for establishing parentage and custody rights are then completed.

History of Traditional Surrogacy

Traditional Surrogacy has a historical origin dating back to ancient times, when surrogates were utilized to bear children for individuals facing conception challenges. Over the centuries, this practice has undergone significant evolution, shaped by cultural, legal, and technological advancements to reach its current form.

Origins and Evolution

Traditional Surrogacy dates back to ancient historical texts, where surrogates were enlisted to produce heirs and has undergone transformations influenced by societal norms and technological advancements over the centuries. In ancient civilizations such as Rome and Greece, traditional surrogacy was utilized to facilitate lineage continuation within royal families and among couples facing fertility challenges.

The role of surrogates has evolved alongside societal development and advancements in reproductive technology. The latter part of the 20th century saw a shift towards a focus on surrogacy with the advent of in vitro fertilization (IVF), enabling a genetic connection between the future parents and the child. This evolution sparked legal, ethical, and moral discussions, shaping the changes in how traditional surrogacy is practiced.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

The legal and ethical considerations of Traditional Surrogacy are varied and complex, encompassing the following aspects:

1. Surrogacy laws differ greatly among nations and may evolve. Some countries have banned all forms of surrogacy, while others permit specific types (e.g., India prohibits commercial surrogacy but allows altruistic surrogacy for married couples).
2. Legal agreements, as the laws in many jurisdictions do not uphold surrogacy contract terms agreed upon by surrogate mothers and parents. This uncertainty raises questions about the legal validity of pre-pregnancy agreements.

Ethical implications of surrogacy continue to spark debates even in regions where surrogacy is legally permissible. Moral dilemmas include concerns about the potential exploitation of surrogate mothers and the ethical consequences of treating human reproduction as a commodity. Moreover, ethical discussions often revolve around whether certain populations (e.g., the impoverished or individuals in developing countries) should be excluded from participating in surrogacy arrangements.

Current Laws and Controversies

Traditional surrogacy is currently prohibited in virtually all countries.

Benefits and Risks of Traditional Surrogacy

Traditional surrogacy is not recommended for anyone and is considered a criminal offense in most countries.

Alternatives to Traditional Surrogacy

Gestational surrogacy and adoption are alternatives to traditional surrogacy, offering distinct pathways to parenthood, each with unique processes, legal implications, and emotional considerations.

Comparing Gestational Surrogacy and Adoption

Gestational surrogacy and adoption are two distinct paths to parenthood. Gestational surrogacy involves the conception of an embryo created through assisted reproductive technology and implanted in a gestational carrier. At the same time, adoption is the legal process of taking custody of an existing child.

Both gestational surrogacy and adoption require extensive legal processes, but their nature differs significantly. In gestational surrogacy, future parents often have more control over the process and may actively participate in prenatal care and the birth of the baby. On the other hand, adoption typically entails thorough background checks, home studies, and legal proceedings to safeguard the child’s best interests.

Both gestational surrogacy and adoption present emotional challenges and rewards. Gestational surrogacy may involve complex relationships and emotions with the surrogate and her family. At the same time, adoption can bring unique struggles related to attachment and identity for both the child and the adoptive parents.