When you’re trying to become parents, infertility can seem like an end to your family-building dreams. However, just because you can’t conceive naturally does not mean that you can’t become parents. There are many infertility options available to you, including some that will preserve your genetic connection to your child.
You have to come to terms with the fact that not all options for infertility will work for all couples, which is why it’s important you consult with your Fertility Counselor and Specialist about which options are suitable and available for your particular situation.
Like with other options for infertile couples, a Fertility Specialist will be able to tell you whether a sperm, egg or embryo donation is necessary or could be useful for your situation. Fortunately, there are many fertility clinics now offering recipient treatment options and intended parents have the choice of an anonymous donor or known donor.
If you are among parents who cannot carry a child to term, surrogacy may be the answer. In this family-building method, an embryo is created from your own sperm and egg or with a donor gamete, is then transferred into the uterus of a surrogate, who will carry the child to term for them.
If you are an intended parent who believes that becoming parents is more important than actually being pregnant, surrogacy is the best way to preserve a genetic connection to your child.
There are technically two kinds of surrogacy — gestational and traditional — but most surrogacy professionals today offer gestational surrogacy, where the surrogate is not related to the child she carries.
Even in gestational surrogacy, the process is an emotional one, and both intended parents and surrogates should be prepared for the physical and emotional challenges that will await them.
While surrogacy may not be one of the infertility options that’s best for everyone, it may be possible for you.
When IVF alone does not deliver the intended results, it is simply time to redirect your efforts toward another option. For many couples, this means it’s time to consider surrogacy.
Surrogacy, also known as third party reproduction, is surrounded by a lot of mystery and confusion, which makes many couples reluctant to pursue it. In the past, it was primarily associated with celebrity families and seemed out of reach for the average family. But, that’s not the case anymore. The rate of successful surrogate births has skyrocketed. Surrogacy has become an increasingly viable option for many couples who want to start a family.
So when do you start considering surrogacy? There’s no hard and fast answer to this question, which is why it’s important to make this decision in consultation with your fertility team. Understanding IVF and its success rates is a good way to work toward making a wise decision..
After determining her ability to become pregnant and successfully carry a child, the surrogate — sometimes referred to as a gestational carrier — undergoes an IVF procedure to implant the embryo into her uterus. She then carries the child and gives birth on behalf of the intended parents.
Once the baby is born, the baby legally belongs to the intended parents. In some cases, the baby is genetically related to both parents; in other cases, the baby is formed from an embryo created from an egg and/or sperm from a donor.
Typically, the surrogate may not know the family prior to the surrogacy process, and she may be financially compensated for her decision to carry the child. However, in other cases, a female friend or family member may offer to be the surrogate out of love for you and a desire to see you start the family you’ve always wanted.
Although the decision to start a family via surrogacy is an intensely personal decision, you may be a prime candidate for surrogacy if your health cannot support carrying a pregnancy, e.g. uncontrolled diabetes/hypertension or a serious cardiac disorder.
Other reasons for surrogacy may include a past history of hysterectomy (removal of the Uterus) or scarring of the Uterus from repeated Uterine Fibroid surgeries or D & Cs.
Through working with experienced and compassionate medical professionals you can navigate the process of surrogacy. There are fertility centres with excellent surrogacy success rates in Nigeria that can help you achieve your dream of starting a family and raising a child.
