Myths about Gestational Carriers
Gestational surrogacy has become increasingly common in recent years and has continued to help many different types of intended parents, whether they may be single parents, couples dealing with infertility, or parents in same sex relationships. However, despite a rise in the amount of information that is available about gestational surrogacy, there are still some misconceptions about gestational carriers (AKA surrogates) and their roles. Gestational carriers are acting out of extreme selflessness, and understanding more about these generous women is extremely valuable.
Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado is here to describe common myths about gestational carriers as well the truth behind them.
Myths about Surrogates
Although gestational carriers help many families achieve their dreams of having a child of their own, there are still things about gestational carriers that many people may not understand. Some common myths (and truths) about gestational carriers include:
Myth: Surrogates become the biological mothers of the child
One of the most common misconceptions about gestational carriers is that because a gestational carrier is the one who carries the child who is born, she is automatically the biological mother of the child. While this may be true in the case of surrogates in traditional surrogacy, which is pretty uncommon in the modern day, this is a myth when describing gestational surrogacy.
Truth: Surrogates are not biologically related to the child who is born
Although gestational carriers may help intended parents out tremendously by carrying their child to term, the gestational carrier is, in fact, not biologically related to the child In gestational surrogacy, an embryo from an already fertilized egg is implanted into the gestational carrier. Therefore, the biological mother of the child is the woman whose egg was used in the fertilization process — aka. the intended mother. This is appealing to many intended parents because they are able to maintain a genetic link with their child that the gestational carrier carries.
Myth: Surrogates choose to become pregnant for monetary compensation
Because there have been many cases of celebrities who have turned to gestational surrogacy, some people may think that gestational carriers only choose to help intended parents because they will receive compensation for it. While it is true that gestational carriers will be monetarily compensated for the huge changes their body will undergo during pregnancy, this is not the sole reason that gestational carriers choose to help out.
Truth: Surrogates are selfless and want to help another family out
Women who choose to become gestational carriers may have numerous different motivations behind their actions. However, one common trait that all gestational carriers share is that they love children and want to help another family enjoy the happiness a child will bring into their life. Making the decision to undergo another pregnancy is not one that should be taken lightly, and women who choose to help out by becoming a gestational carrier do so from the kindness of their hearts.
Myth: Any woman can choose to become a surrogate
Some people may believe that any woman is able to become a gestational carrier if she desires. However, each state has various different requirements for women who are looking to become gestational carriers. Although the requirements are not exceedingly difficult to meet, it is not true that just any woman may be a gestational carrier.
Truth: There are age, health, and stability requirements for surrogates
In the state of Colorado, there are numerous different types of requirements for women who want to become gestational carriers. Some of these requirements include being between 21 and 41 years of age, having already had a complication free pregnancy and successful delivery in the past, currently raising a child, and living a stable lifestyle with transportation and a support network. These requirements are in place to help prepare gestational carriers for undergoing another pregnancy, keep gestational carriers safe, and also increase the chances of a successful pregnancy and delivery.
Gestational carriers are extremely selfless members of our community who help many intended parents have children, despite the thought of having children seeming impossible. Learning more about gestational carriers can help to debunk some of the common myths about gestational carriers that people may currently believe.
Are You Interested in Becoming a Surrogate?
If you have questions about gestational carriers, or are a woman who is interested in becoming a surrogate, feel free to reach out to us at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado with any questions. We are able help to ensure that you meet the requirements to become a gestational carrier and will make sure you have legal representation, medical care, and hands-on support throughout the entire surrogacy process. We also have resources to help match gestational carriers with fitting intended parents! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for more information or with any questions that you may have.
If you are interested in surrogacy and want to learn more about your 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: Ashley Nies is an undergraduate student at Stanford University who is studying Human Biology and Political Science. Ashley is largely interested in various aspects of health and healthcare, and writes about these topics. She has taken classes on rhetoric, ethics and social media in health, as well as other creative writing classes during her freshman year at Stanford.
Ashley is from Las Vegas, Nevada, and considers herself to be fun-loving and adventurous. She values the importance of combining STEM with liberal arts education and hopes to integrate these in her writing.
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!