Are you struggling to get pregnant? You probably know you can hire a surrogate mother to carry your baby. Click here and know how surrogacy works.

Got baby on the brain? Having a child can be a beautiful journey but that doesn’t mean it has to be done in a conventional way. If you want a surrogate mother to carry your child, you should understand the ins and outs of the process.

Whatever your reason is, surrogacy can be a great option for you. Find out how surrogacy works and see if it’s right for you.

Types of Surrogate Mothers

Generally, there are two types of surrogate mothers.

One is a traditional surrogate. This process is when a woman gets artificially inseminated with the father’s or donor’s sperm. The surrogate mother carries the baby for full-term and delivers the baby for the parents.

The other type is a gestational surrogate. This process uses a technique called “in vitro fertilization” (IVF). This involves gathering eggs from the mother and fertilizing them with desired sperm.

The embryo is then placed into the surrogate mother.The surrogate still carries the baby until birth.

Legally speaking, the gestational surrogacy method is less complex. This is because both parents have genetic ties to the baby.

Gestational surrogacy has become popular over time. Roughly 750 babies are born each year using gestational surrogacy.

Why Consider Surrogacy

Some of the reasons why surrogacy may be an option are:

• You or your partner had medical issues that make fertility difficult
• You or your partner had a medical procedure that prohibits fertility
• You or your partner have conditions that make pregnancy impossible or risky for you
• You simply prefer surrogacy pregnancies

Surrogacy may be an option for same-sex couples. In these cases, only one of the parent’s sperm or egg can be used in the process.

Finding a Surrogate

Once you decide on surrogacy, one of the next decisions you will have to make is who your surrogate mother will be.

Sometimes you know best who will be a good surrogate option for your child. If you know a friend or relative who you can trust with carrying your child, it may be best to ask them.

If you decide to have a family member as a surrogate, be mindful of how it may affect the relationship. You may need to have important discussions upfront to avoid legal issues later.

When selecting a surrogate, try to choose someone who:

• Has experience giving birth to at least one healthy baby
• Understands the medical risks of pregnancy and childbirth
• Understands the emotional bond with a newborn
• Has passed a psychological screening by a mental health professional
• Is willing to sign a contract about her role and responsibilities in the pregnancy

If you don’t have someone in mind, consider hiring an agency. There are hundreds of global agencies that help parents find surrogate mothers.

An agency will help you find the right surrogate and help you manage the process. They will also help you understand how surrogate mothers are paid.

Understanding How Surrogacy Works

The surrogacy process can be for parents who either cannot or wish not to carry a child themselves.

Regardless of your reasons, surrogacy always starts with an understanding of the process. Be sure that you understand how surrogacy works before you make this decision.

The process can seem daunting at first, but there are resources that can ease the process. The ultimate goal is to create a lifelong bond between parent and child.