Surrogacy is an important method of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in which a woman carries a pregnancy to term for another couple or individual to help them become parents and build their families. Surrogates give the gift of family to those unable to conceive.
The definition of surrogacy is the process or the arrangement of someone carrying a pregnancy to term and giving birth to a child for someone else. This form of assisted reproduction helps those who are unable to carry their own children into this world.
The couple or individuals utilizing the support of a surrogate are known as Intended Parents (IPs). IPs can also be referred to as an Intended Mother (IM) and an Intended Father (IF).
This family-building process requires both exceptional legal and medical competencies, paired with experienced support. Similar to other technologies we see in the world, surrogacy has majorly evolved over the years and is more accessible than ever before, keep reading to learn all about surrogacy basics.
With the introduction of Gestational Surrogacy (GS), this ART method is becoming more popular for IPs struggling to conceive as well as for women interested in helping build families. This is thanks to in-vitro fertilization (IVF). See below to understand the differences between traditional and gestational surrogacy.
Traditional surrogacy is called 'traditional' in the sense it is the old way of doing things. Traditional surrogacy refers to when a surrogate's biological eggs are used to get pregnant and deliver the baby to another couple or individual. In this scenario, the surrogate would be genetically related to the baby.
Before assisted reproductive technology developed IVF, traditional surrogacy was the only way to complete a surrogacy. In this process, the surrogate is artificially inseminated with the intended father’s sperm, and once pregnant, she then carries and delivers the baby.
This type of surrogacy arrangement is most commonly discouraged because it has led to many legal and emotional struggles for surrogates when it came time to give up the baby to the intended parents. This type of surrogacy is much rarer now, and is, in fact, illegal in some states.
Gestational surrogacy refers to when a surrogate has no genetic relation to the child and her uterus is used to carry the baby while in gestation. Gestational Surrogacy happens through IVF when embryos are cultured in a fertility clinic's lab using the IP's specimens or a donor's if needed (sometimes, IPs will use their biological genetic egg or sperm). Once ready, the surrogate will undergo an embryo transfer, where one or two embryos are implanted and she will carry them to term.
Gestational surrogacy is often preferred and much more common within the fertility industry. At Hatch, we only service gestational surrogacy.
Learn More About Gestational vs. Traditional Surrogacy ➜
Surrogacy allows an opportunity for individuals from all walks of life to pursue the path to parenthood and realize the joy of building a family of their own. At Hatch, we work with a variety of intended parents including:
We believe that anyone who wants to have a family should have that option. And we’re devoted to ensuring that intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors alike have the most rewarding experience possible throughout their journeys. Our motivation comes from helping intended parents bring newborns into the world, allowing donors and surrogates to contribute to a loving family, and making all participants’ dreams come true.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost?
At Hatch, we are the only agency in the United States to offer a truly all-inclusive package, covering both medical and non-medical expenses, with no surprises. Our Baby Guarantee Package is $225,000 and covers unlimited services for egg donation, surrogacy, and IVF, until live birth.
'The gift of parenthood is priceless, and surrogates deserve to be valued for their selflessness in choosing to participate in a family-building journey. Though earning money is not the primary motivation for gestational carriers, how they are compensated is important to understand before embarking on a journey for both the surrogate and intended parents alike.
First-time gestational carriers have the opportunity to earn between $61,100 - $66,100+ depending on their state and other factors. Compensation may vary depending on the specific circumstances. All medical bills and insurance premiums are also paid for by the Intended Parents.
Learn More About Surrogate Compensation ➜
Established in 1991, we were the first egg donor agency of its kind and one of the first surrogate agencies. Our screening process is rigorous; we accept only the top five percent of donors and surrogates. Meaning we’ve set the standard for best and ethical practices, donor and surrogate selection, and curated matching with intended parents.
Although every journey is unique, below are some general steps that IPs & GCs can expect to go through while embarking on a surrogacy journey with Hatch Fertility:
Our team will guide you every step of the way throughout your surrogacy experience. Your coordinator will make sure your journey is an enjoyable, exciting time of your life by breaking up this process into small, manageable steps.
Surrogacy With Hatch Fertility
The agency you pick is vital in your surrogacy journey - whether you are an egg donor, surrogate, or intended parent. Therefore, ensure you choose the best surrogate agency out there that suits your needs. Hatch Fertility is the leading egg donation & surrogacy agency in the United States. We are the longest-established agency, founded more than 30 years ago, and we have completed over 8,000 journeys. We are also one of the most successful agencies–99.5% of intended parents who start a journey with us end with a baby. We provide many opportunities to achieve your dreams of creating your family. Contact us today to learn more about family-building options.
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