Top 10 Myths Surrounding Surrogacy

1. Gestational Surrogacy and Traditional Surrogacy Are the Same
This is a myth. A Gestational Surrogate does not have any biological link to the baby she is
carrying. The embryo implanted into the surrogate carrier does not have the surrogate’s
DNA. Instead, the egg used for fertilization comes from either an egg donor or the intended mother.
Traditional surrogacy is a lot less common. Traditional surrogates use their own eggs and are related to the baby they are carrying.

2. Any woman can become a Gestational Surrogate
This is a myth.  Not every woman is physically and/or mentally ready to become a
surrogate. Lifestyle, family dynamics, financial issues, and health issues are just a few
things that can cause a woman to be disqualified to become a surrogate.  We require our
candidates to go through a thorough, comprehensive screening process that will examine
her medically, psychologically, financially and legally. Women who go through the
screening process to become surrogates do so because they enjoy pregnancy, have the
heart to help others create a family, and respect how her body grows new life. These are
reliable, sincere women with enormous amounts of responsibility who can be trusted to
treat the developing baby just as well as she treated her own.

3. Gestational Surrogates make $100k
This is a myth. Some surrogacy agencies will advertise that surrogates can receive high
compensation amounts to ease them into signing their legal contract. A first time surrogate
in the state of California is likely to make 40k-55k. Surrogates can be in contract for up to
three years which would increase reimbursement but it is common to only be in contract
for sixteen months.

4. Surrogacy is unethical
This is a myth. Surrogacy is not unethical. While surrogacy has often been misinterpreted
within the media, as a “baby selling” scheme or a “wombs for rent” scenario, this is not the
case at all. No exploitation of women takes place in legal surrogacy contracts in the US. In
order to qualify as a surrogate mother, women must make sure they can meet a set of
standard requirements. One of the requirements is that she must have a stable living
condition and be financially secure, meaning she does not require public assistance. Finally, she must then pass a series of psychological and medical screenings. Therefore, agencies cannot simply hire anyone just for intent of making money.

5. Surrogates are desperate women seeking a payout
This is a myth. While being a surrogate is ideal for women who underwent easy
pregnancies and deliveries with no complications, the process takes time and dedication.
The month before an embryo transfer, a potential carrier must take hormonal medications,
usually via an injection series.
The surrogate must also visit the fertility clinic on a regular basis to make sure she is
responding well to all medications. These appointments can also include blood work,
ultrasounds. An embryo transfer is a minimally invasive procedure. But still, it’s a
procedure a woman wanting to become a surrogate must undergo to become pregnant.
Being a surrogate is much different than carrying for one’s own children. The intending
parents may have special requests that a gestational carrier is asked to follow in her
contract.
A surrogate dedicates at least a year to helping others achieve their dream of parenthood.
This also includes the time it takes to meeting potential Intend Parents and finalizing their
legal contracts together.

6. The Surrogate Mother has a legal right to keep the baby.
This is a myth .This is a common fear for Indented Parents when it comes to surrogacy, especially international Intended Parents. However, surrogacy contracts are as legally binding as any other legal contact. With that being said, your surrogacy agreement is valid in any court of law where surrogacy is recognized and accepted. It is actually very rare for the surrogate to change her mind and demand to keep the baby. Surrogates are very excited for the Intended Parents to finally meet their baby.

7.  Surrogacy often leads to multiples
This is a myth. In the early days of IVF and surrogacy, doctors would implant multiple
embryos to get the best chance of a successful pregnancy but that era is over. “These days, doctors are far more likely to recommend a single or a double at maximum embryo
transfer as their standard. Surrogate carriers are less likely to carry multiples to ensure
fewer risks and complications during her pregnancy. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a
more common procedure done when women want to carry more than twins. Surrogate
carriers undergo IVF treatment, not an IUI treatment plan.

8. It Will Be Too Hard for the Family of the Surrogate
This is a myth. Pregnancy is difficult, but more often than not, families make the decision to
be involved in surrogacy together. Families are educated and prepared for the process and
are in agreement about supporting the surrogate during her pregnancy. Most families are
fortunate enough to build a bound with the Intended Parents during the surrogacy
pregnancy. Both families is likely to communicate often, share photos, visit one another
during the pregnancy, and continue their friendship after the baby is born.

9. Intended Parents will have trouble bonding with their baby if a surrogate is the carrier.
This is a myth. In fact, parents bond with their babies at different times, regardless of who
is carrying the baby. Some Intended Parents bond with the surrogate while she is pregnant,
but many bond once the baby is born. And there are things that parents can do to feel close to the baby while the surrogate is carrying such as record their voices for the baby to hear while in utero, go to doctor’s appointments with the surrogate, and be included every step of the way. Parents are often in the room when the baby is born and the bonding process begins during skin to skin contact.

10.  Surrogacy is selfish when there are so many children waiting to be adopted or fostered.
This is a myth. Many Intended Parents who choose surrogacy do it as a last resort to have a
biologically related child. The parents are usually unable to conceive naturally, and may be
unable to physically carry a child to birth successfully.
Regardless of their infertility successes or failures, most people have an inherent desire to have a child who is genetically related to them. That’s a completely rational and understandable desire. Adoption isn’t right for everyone and, ultimately, how a person chooses to create their family is their own personal decision.