Because surrogacy is still a relatively new way of creating families through assisted reproduction, it’s common for intended parents who are unsure about the process to wonder, “Is the baby related to the gestational carrier if we pursue a surrogate pregnancy?”
At American Surrogacy, the answer is no. Because we only complete gestational surrogacies, the child you create through surrogacy will share your genetics as the intended parents’, as well as the genetics of any sperm or egg donated to complete the in-vitro process. Your child will not have any DNA from the surrogate mother.
Before you begin your surrogacy journey, it’s important to understand the difference between the types of surrogacy, through only one of which the surrogate mother does pass on DNA to the child. The two different surrogacy processes are traditional and gestational.
Traditional Surrogacy — In this kind of surrogate pregnancy, the surrogate contributes her own egg to the in-vitro process. Her egg is artificially inseminated by the intended father’s sperm or a sperm donor’s to create an embryo, which she then carries to term in her own uterus. In a traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is the biological mother of the child, and the surrogate mother does share DNA with the baby. However, it’s important to note that this genetic relationship may come with unique challenges and, therefore, traditional surrogacies are rarely completed today.
Gestational Surrogacy — This kind of surrogate pregnancy is the more common way to complete surrogacies today. In this situation, the baby does not get any genetics from a surrogate mother; an embryo created from the intended parents’ sperm and egg (or using a combination with a donated gamete) is transferred to the surrogate’s womb, where she carries the baby to full term. Not only is this kind of surrogacy less complicated both legally and emotionally, it’s the only kind of surrogacy that American Surrogacy completes.
So, whether you’re an intended parent or a prospective surrogate, it’s important to keep in mind that a surrogate mother is not genetically related to the child and you do not have to use your own eggs to be a surrogate mother. In fact, for a surrogate and the child she carries to not be genetically related is the preferred method of completing surrogacies today.
At American Surrogacy, we can help you get started with your gestational surrogacy at any time. To speak with a surrogacy professional today, please give us a call at 1-800-875-BABY (2229) or contact us online here.