The Difference Between Traditional and Gestational Surrogacy
If you’re not a surrogate veteran, you probably only know about one type of surrogacy. In fact, you may not even know that there are two vastly different types of surrogacy. Since surrogacy doesn’t really get the exposure it deserves in the media, most people have a pretty basic understanding. One of the most important pre-planning steps before applying to become a surrogate is learning the ins and outs of surrogacy. One of the first things you’ll come across is the two types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational. The difference is pretty substantial between the two, aside from the basics of conception.
If you’re considering surrogacy or want to know more about the process or if you qualify, contact Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado. We’re here to provide you with the information, resources, and support you need for your surrogacy journey. From the qualification process, paperwork, pregnancy, and postpartum, we’re here for you. We want your surrogacy experience to be the best it can be.
If you want to become a surrogate in Colorado, there’s a lot to learn. Surrogacy is very different from other processes like adoption. There are more requirements, a more complex process, and some strict qualifications for both surrogates and intended parents. If you’re new to surrogacy, there’s definitely a lot to learn, starting with the two types of surrogacy. So what’s the difference between traditional and gestational surrogacy?
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a surrogate, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado.
What is a Traditional Surrogacy?
Traditional surrogacy has been around forever. It’s referenced throughout history from biblical times to kings and queens; traditional surrogacy has seemingly always existed. Before the technology of IVF, traditional surrogacy was the only option for those wanting children that could not conceive their own. So what is traditional surrogacy exactly? Simply put, in a traditional surrogacy, the surrogate serves as both the egg donor and carrier.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Traditional surrogacy uses an artificial insemination process called intrauterine insemination (IUI). This process is one of the benefits of choosing a traditional surrogacy. The procedure is less complicated than methods used in gestational surrogacy, less costly, and overall has fewer medical risks. The IUI process transfers sperm from either an intended parent or donor directly into the surrogate’s uterus. The procedure is relatively quick, taking around 15 to 20 minutes total, and only uses a speculum, catheter, and syringe.
What is Gestational Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy is a somewhat new thing, with scientific breakthroughs allowing for safe IVF practices in the mid-1980s. In a gestational surrogacy, an egg and sperm donor are used to fertilize the egg before the embryo transfer into the surrogate. The eggs and sperm can come from one or both of the intended parents or other donors chosen by the intended parents.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the type of artificial insemination used in gestational surrogacy. The process is more involved and can come with more medical risks compared to UIU. For IVF, both eggs and sperm from either the intended parents or a donor are required; the surrogate’s eggs cannot be used. The eggs are fertilized using IVF, and embryos are then transferred to the surrogate mother. As with IUI, the process is similar to a regular pap smear.
Important Differences Between Gestational and Traditional Surrogacy
It may be hard to know which type of surrogacy is right for you. Ultimately, it’s up to you, what you’re comfortable with, and the agency you’re working with. Many agencies offer both gestational and traditional surrogacy; however, some may heavily suggest gestational surrogacy over traditional. Aside from the medical differences in the insemination method, there are quite a few differences that may influence your decision.
- Surrogate Mother and Baby Relation
This may be an obvious conclusion you’ve come to on your own but, since traditional surrogacy using IUI uses the surrogate’s eggs, the surrogate is the biological mother. Because of this, it can be harder to let go emotionally postpartum. Contrarily, the surrogate has no shared DNA with the baby in a gestational surrogacy. Because there’s no biological link, and they are merely acting as a vessel, many surrogates report an easier time postpartum. - Emotional Consequences
As we said, since the surrogate mother is genetically related to the baby, it can add to emotional stress. Surrogacy is already an emotionally taxing experience, and adding to that can complicate things further. Not every surrogate has the same experience, and some have a more challenging time mentally than others postpartum. Overall, gestational surrogates report an overall better start to finish experience compared to traditional.
- Availability of Intended Parents
Families facing infertility or an inability to have biological children will often turn to surrogacy. Since an intended family is entrusting a stranger to grow their child for them, they tend to be pretty picky about the surrogates they choose. If possible, the parents will want to use their own sperm and eggs or choose donors with a specific profile. Gestational surrogacy allows the intended parents to create the optimal outcome, and that usually doesn’t involve using eggs from the surrogate. Because gestational surrogacy is more popular among intended parents, surrogates looking into traditional surrogacy may find a lack of intended parents interested.
How to Become a Gestational Surrogate in Colorado
If you’re interested in becoming a surrogate mother in Colorado, consider your options, do your research, and contact Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado. We offer services to women considering gestational surrogacy, as well as intended parents looking for surrogates. There’s a lot that goes into surrogacy, and it can be hard to navigate. Rest assured, you are not alone. We’ll walk you through the surrogacy process, how to qualify, screening and background checks, and if surrogacy is right for you. Not everyone can be a surrogate, and the process to become one can seem more exclusive than getting into an ivy league college. If you do qualify, you become part of a unique group of people who can provide the gift of life to intended parents.
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: Michelle Brugioni is a practiced, well-versed college-educated writer and avid coffee drinker. She has ten years of experience as a freelance writer and has written for an alarmingly wide range of clients and publications. She has written on topics like: life science, biopharmaceutical company acquisitions, dealing with anxiety, and creative drinking games.
As a fearless writer and masterful researcher, each time Michelle is approached with the question, “Can you write this?” she responds confidently with, “When do you need it?”
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!