Gestational Surrogacy vs. Traditional Surrogacy
Couples and individuals who have had difficulties naturally conceiving a child often turn to surrogacy for help. There are two main types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational.
Surrogacy has changed over time with advances in medical techniques. Traditional surrogacy differs considerably from modern gestational surrogacy, which is preferred nationwide. In fact, traditional surrogacy is banned across the U.S. due to legal issues and is not recognized as a type of surrogacy anymore.
Many surrogacy agencies, such as Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado, specialize in gestational surrogacy. Below, we explain the key differences between gestational and traditional surrogacy.
1. Procedural Differences between Gestational Surrogacy vs. Traditional Surrogacy
Traditional surrogacy involves the surrogate mother having intrauterine insemination (IUI) with sperm from the intended father or a donor. The resulting baby comes from the surrogate’s egg.
Gestational surrogacy uses in vitro fertilization (IVF) to combine sperm and egg from the intended parents and a donor if needed. The embryo is then transferred to the surrogate mother’s uterus, where the baby will grow and develop.
2. Genetic Relationships with Gestational Surrogacy
In traditional surrogacy, the baby is created from the surrogate’s egg and is half-related to the surrogate genetically. This causes legal and custody difficulties because the surrogate has to relinquish her parental rights.
In gestational surrogacy, the intended parents use their egg and sperm that is fertilized in a lab to create an embryo. However, sometimes intended mothers or fathers cannot use their own eggs or sperm, respectively, or one parent is sterile. In cases like this, the intended parents can use the missing egg or sperm from an egg or sperm bank or donor.
The majority of hopeful intended parents using gestational surrogacy are same-sex couples and individuals because it allows for donor genetic material to be used. The surrogate is not related to the baby with this type of surrogacy.
3. Emotional Difficulties Arise from Traditional Surrogacy
Traditional surrogacy can create emotional challenges because the surrogate is related to the baby. This can cause stress for the intended parents, who may worry the surrogate will engage them in a legal battle for parental rights. Being related to the baby also makes it more difficult for the surrogate, who will be giving another family her child.
There is little worry of emotional attachment with gestational surrogacy. The intended parents and surrogate maintain contact throughout the nine months and the intended parents attend important medical appointments. Most intended parents choose to be present for the birth as well, and they take the baby home. With gestational surrogacy, a pre-birth order establishes the intended parents as the parents, so they have no need to worry about who has custody over the child.
4. Wait Time Differences between Gestational and Traditional Surrogacy
Many more states allow gestational surrogacy than traditional surrogacy. Because of this, if you want to pursue traditional surrogacy, you will have more difficulty finding a surrogacy agency to help you. This will dramatically increase the wait time before you can find a surrogate and have your baby.
There are many surrogacy agencies that specialize in gestational surrogacy, which is available in several states. The relatively little wait time comes down to finding a match between a surrogate and the intended parents. From there, the process has been well-established and takes as long as is needed to have your baby.
5. Contact and Relationships with Gestational vs. Traditional Surrogacy
Since the surrogate is related to the child in traditional surrogacy, the surrogate often wants continued contact with the child as they grow up. The intended parents can expect a lasting relationship with the surrogate for this reason.
In gestational surrogacy, the intended parents and surrogate can decide what their expectations for contact are throughout the surrogacy process and their wishes for contact after birth. Many intended parents develop a relationship with the surrogate and some stay in contact after the birth, but this is less common than in traditional surrogacy.
Choosing Gestational Surrogacy vs. Traditional Surrogacy
While there are a few key differences between gestational and traditional surrogacy, the choice is up to the intended parents. Surrogates can decide which service they are comfortable providing and select a surrogacy agency that is suited to that purpose.
How do you know which choice is right for your family? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I want to be genetically related to my child?
- Would I feel comfortable with my baby being carried by their mother?
- How long am I willing to wait to match with a surrogate mother?
- How much of a relationship do I want my child to have with the surrogate?
Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado specializes in gestational surrogacy and is proud to bring intended parents and surrogates together to complete families. If you would like further information about gestational surrogacy or the surrogacy process, visit our website or contact our surrogacy specialists.
If you are interested in learning more about your gestational surrogacy options, contact Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
Meet the Author: Madilyn Moeller is a writer and editor keen on translating the technical. Madilyn’s years of science writing shine through as she explains everything from health insurance to moving for her readers. Madilyn has a Bachelor of Arts from Miami University in Professional Writing, Psychology, and Neuroscience. She is a lifelong writer bringing her curiosity to the marketing stage, building websites and blogs for businesses moving online. She knows more about Medicare than any young adult should.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!