As an intended parent, there can be plenty of details swarming through your brain. While you prepare for parenthood, there is a lot to think about. What is the right surrogacy match for you? What biological connection is there between the prospective surrogate and your baby? It’s common and natural to consider questions like these.
That’s why we’re here to help you out. If you are curious about the genetic connection in surrogacy between the surrogate and baby, then you’re in the right place. We have created this comprehensive guide to give you the information that you’ve been searching for. Now, you can get an answer to that lingering question: Can a baby look like the surrogate mother?
Does the Baby Look Like the Surrogate Mother? [Gestational vs. Traditional Surrogacy]
Because you are an intended parent, you might be wondering, “Will the baby look like the surrogate mother?” To answer that question, you will need to understand the differences between gestational and traditional surrogacy. The vast majority of surrogacies today are gestational, and traditional surrogacies are illegal in many states.
When it comes to gestational surrogacy, there is no genetic connection between the prospective surrogate and the baby. This is because there is a sperm or egg donor involved, and many surrogacy professionals consider this the safer and more ethical option. So, can babies look like their surrogate? In gestational surrogacy, they won’t. It uses in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is when a doctor takes sperm to fertilize eggs outside of the body. Once the eggs are fertilized, they become embryos. These embryos are then transferred to the prospective surrogate.
Traditional surrogacy, on the other hand, uses an intended father’s or donor’s sperm. But it does not use an intended mother’s or donor’s egg. In other words, the prospective surrogate is the biological mother of the child. This can be much trickier for everyone involved, as there will be extra steps and legal precautions to be mindful of.
Explaining the Surrogacy Screening Process [Do Babies Look Like Their Surrogate Mothers?]
If you are still wondering, “Does a surrogate baby look like the parents,” then it may be helpful to have a deeper understanding of the surrogacy screening process. Starting the surrogacy process as an intended parent can be overwhelming. So, developing a solid understanding of the screening process for prospective surrogates can bring you some peace of mind.
For instance, American Surrogacy has a thorough screening process that is designed to provide you with as much reassurance as possible. We make sure that all prospective surrogates we work with are physically and mentally ready to embark on this journey. There are many emotional highs and lows of surrogacy, and we can guarantee that all our prospective surrogates are prepared for them. On top of rigorous background screening, they must meet the following set of requirements for surrogate mothers:
- Between 21 and 38 years old
- A BMI of 19-32
- Non-smoker and no use of illegal drugs or other substances
- No exposure to secondhand smoke
- Have had at least one successful pregnancy but no more than five C-sections
- Currently raising a child of their own
- No significant complications in previous pregnancies
- Completed a pap smear within the past year
- And more
Because of these requirements, American Surrogacy can ensure that all our prospective surrogates are ready to meet the demands of both a successful surrogacy and pregnancy. Although it’s common for intended parents like you to wonder, “Does a surrogate baby look like the parents,” this ultimately doesn’t matter. Whether a baby looks like you or the prospective surrogate isn’t important in the grand scheme of a successful surrogacy.
What Matters in a Successful Surrogacy
So, if genetic makeup doesn’t matter in a successful surrogacy, then we should tell you what does matter. As you enter your surrogacy contract as an intended parent, it can be helpful to prepare some questions for a prospective surrogate. Finding the right match is an important step, so we’ve given you some examples of questions to get you started:
- What are some of your hobbies and interests?
- How would you describe your family?
- What education do you have?
- Why do you want to become a surrogate?
- What is your previous experience with surrogacy?
To get free surrogacy information now, you can fill out our online contact form at any time. We would love to help you get started on your surrogacy journey today! We are here for you whenever you may need us.