What Are The Challenges Of Surrogacy?
Trying desperately for a child only to be unable to conceive or carry to full term is devastating. Becoming a surrogate mother or gestational carrier gives their very own child to parents who cannot bring life into the world themselves. Choosing to offer your body and life to a family in need is an incredibly selfless act. Some challenges can come with surrogacy, but in the end, it’s all worth it to see the ecstatic looks on the parents’ faces when they’re finally able to hold their child. Interested in surrogacy or want to know more? Contact us at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado for more information.
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.
Surrogacy Vs. Gestational Carrier
Traditional surrogacy and gestational carriers are placed under the same umbrella, but there is a major difference. In traditional surrogacy, you are both carrying the child and donating your eggs to be artificially inseminated by one of the parents or through the sperm donor they have chosen. That means you will be the biological mother of the child. If you’re willing to do this, understand that not all states recognize traditional surrogacy contracts. We can help you if you’re unsure about the legality in your area.
Gestational carriers have embryos placed in their uterus via IVF at the parents’ chosen fertility clinic. The sperm and the egg may belong to the couple, or one or both could be from other donors. Some women have healthy eggs but cannot get pregnant or cannot carry to full term, where gestational carriers become necessary. Same-sex couples benefit from both surrogate mothers and gestational carriers.
Surrogate Mother Qualifications
Becoming a surrogate mother entails very specific requirements that need to be met. You may find it challenging to be approved as a surrogate mother or gestational carrier if you have underlying health issues, a history of substance abuse, or are overweight. The health of the child and yourself are incredibly important. Nobody wants to risk anyone’s life which is why the requirements are very strict.
To become a surrogate, you must have given birth to one child minimum and custody of your child. Complications during birth or pregnancy of any of your children may disqualify you. Miscarriages and stillbirths may also be a deciding factor on if you’re approved as well. Pregnancy causes a lot of hormonal and life changes. Therefore, you must pass a mental health screening on top of the medical tests. This is another way fertility clinics ensure you’ll have a healthy and safe pregnancy.
Awaiting Parents and Your Pregnancy
All couples are different. One thing that you may find challenging as a surrogate mother or gestational carrier is following rules the awaiting parents require. Not every couple wants or cares to dictate diet, exercise, and lifestyle during the pregnancy. Especially if you have had more than one child. However, some couples may want you to follow a very specific diet different from your own. They may want you to start doing light exercise to keep your body in shape or have you stop together for the safety of their baby.
Another issue that can pop up is a lack of privacy during pregnancy. Of course, you expect to have frequent contact with the parents, but some may want more than the regular update. They may want to come with you to every doctor’s visit, spend time with you beyond pregnancy-related obligations, and expect more communication than average.
Failed Pregnancies
Not everyone gets pregnant on the first implantation. You may have to go through multiple rounds of IVF or artificial insemination to produce a pregnancy. This means you’ll be giving more than the standard amount of time to another family to give them a child. It is life-changing in more ways than one. It is essentially putting your life on hold for an unknown amount of time, unless stated in the contract, for another family.
Some couples can only afford to do it once, so they may have more than one embryo inserted. Again, this was discussed prior, but that could mean multiple pregnancies. If you do not want to carry more than one child, let your surrogacy professional know right away.
The Challenges Of Surrogacy Includes a Lifestyle Change
With all of that said, becoming a surrogate mother or gestational carrier gives the gift of life to parents who want their own child. Are you still interested or want to know more? Feel free to call us or email us at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado. You are making a big life change, though not permanent, and it is a lot to consider. We want to help you in any way we can. Don’t hesitate to reach out to better understand everything that comes with being a surrogate mother.
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: Amanda Rodgers is an experienced, versatile writer, well-versed in blog posts, SEO and keywords. She is also a self-motivated freelance professional with experience in writing a myriad of subjects, such as women’s rights and LGBT issues. In everything she does, she brings her client’s ideas to fruition while not only keeping their individual voice intact, but also adhering to their values and overall mission. Amanda creates a lasting impression with audiences through creative writing to ensure that her message — and the vision of her clients — is clearly conveyed and felt.
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!