Surrogacy for Same-Sex Parents
For some LGBT couples, surrogacy is one of the only options they have as they try to bring a child into their families. Fortunately, surrogacy help for same-sex parents is only a click or phone call away.
Same-sex couples used to be out of luck when it came to having children of their own with their partners, but these days, same-sex couples are able to make their dreams come true through surrogacy.
Surrogacy is when a woman who is able to have a healthy pregnancy to term carries another individual’s or couple’s child for them so they can finally have the baby they’ve been longing for.
Continue reading to learn more about the different types of surrogacy for same-sex parents, how the laws regarding same-sex couples will impact your same-sex surrogacy arrangement, and what you can expect surrogacy to cost.
Which Surrogacy Option Is the Right Fit for You?
You’ll be able to choose from a couple of different types of surrogacy, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. We go into further detail about these options below.
Gestational Surrogacy
In a gestational surrogacy arrangement, the surrogate mother you’re matched with will need to go through in vitro fertilization (IVF) in order to become pregnant.
IVF is when donor sperm and eggs or the sperm or eggs of the intended parents are fertilized outside of the womb and then implanted into the surrogate mother’s uterus in the hope that an embryo will successfully implant and the surrogate will become pregnant.
Because there will likely be multiple embryos placed, the chances of the surrogate mother becoming pregnant with multiples is significantly higher with IVF.
For same-sex couples, gestational surrogacy can be the right choice, as one partner can be the biological parent of the baby. However, a gestational surrogacy arrangement can be the more costly option, and not every couple can afford to pay for multiple rounds of IVF if the first round isn’t successful.
Traditional Surrogacy
Traditional surrogacy could be the right choice for you if you are part of a gay couple with viable sperm. This is because in a traditional surrogacy arrangement, the surrogate mother will become pregnant with her own eggs and either the intended father’s sperm or donor sperm through an intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure.
The surrogate mother will then be the genetic mother of the unborn baby. Therefore, her parental rights will need to be terminated, and a pre-birth order will need to be developed. Traditional surrogacy is traditionally the less expensive option.
Understanding Same-Sex Surrogacy Laws
Surrogacy is a great option for LGBT couples or individuals who are unable to conceive or have trouble carrying a pregnancy to term. Issues arise across the country, however, because each state has different laws surrounding not only surrogacy, but same-sex surrogate or adoptive parenthood.
In some states, compensated surrogacy isn’t legal at all, making it a challenge for same-sex couples who reside in one of these states to complete their families. What’s more, some states require LGBTQ couples to be legally recognized as the parents of a child born through surrogacy or be listed on the birth certificate as the parents of the baby. This could be through a pre-birth order or through adoption.
Fortunately, the experienced professionals at Baby Steps Surrogacy Center, Inc., an international surrogacy agency, are well-versed in these laws and will be by your side throughout the process. That way, you don’t have to worry about your parenthood being questioned down the road, no matter where you live.
The Costs of Surrogacy for LGBT Couples
It’s important to consider the total costs of surrogacy before you move forward with your arrangement. This will help ensure that you are capable of taking on the financial responsibility of surrogacy.
The intended parents will be the ones to cover nearly every expense that comes with becoming pregnant, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum care of the surrogate mother. This includes medical bills and other costs that allow the surrogate mother to focus her energy on growing a healthy baby.
The total cost of your same-sex surrogacy journey will depend on which type of surrogacy you opt into and whether you run into any complications during the pregnancy. Our agency can help you assess the total predicted costs you and your partner will face.
Reach Out to an International Surrogacy Agency for Same-Sex Parents
If you are a same-sex couple interested is using surrogacy to have a baby of your own, contact Baby Steps Surrogacy Center, Inc. today.
The professionals at our international surrogacy agency will be by your side every step of the way so you understand the challenges and benefits of surrogacy for same-sex parents. You can schedule your first appointment today by giving our office a call at 412-281-9906 or reach us through the contact buttons at the top of this page.