Traditional and Gestational Surrogacy can only be understood once we understand the meaning of surrogacy. Surrogacy is the process of giving birth to a baby by a woman to another woman or couple under an agreement or arrangement. Surrogacy arrangements are sought after by the couples who wish to start with a family but have some medical complications or physical limitations (as in the case of a gay couple) which do not allow them to carry the pregnancy.

Surrogacy is Mainly of Two Types:

• Gestational Surrogacy and,
• Traditional surrogacy.

Traditional Surrogacy

Traditional Surrogacy involves natural or Artificial Insemination. Here, the surrogate happens to be the genetic mother of the child as she uses her own eggs while the intended father’s genetic lineage happens only if his sperms have been combined with the surrogate’s eggs but if it happens to be a donor’s sperms, then the child will not be genetically related to either of the parents.

Gestational Surrogacy

Gestational Surrogacy takes place when an embryo created by In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) technology is implanted in a surrogate. This child is genetically not related to the surrogate because it is either the intended mother’s eggs combined with the intended father’s sperms or either of the parents’ eggs or sperms combined with the donor’s sperms or eggs.

The Intended Parents, before choosing surrogacy as an option must know the difference between these two types of surrogacy.

Firstly, the procedures involved are different for gestational as well as traditional surrogacy. IVF or In Vitro Fertilization technique is used to create the embryo in gestational surrogacy, whereas traditional surrogacy uses Intrauterine Insemination. The major difference between the two techniques used is that in traditional surrogacy, the procedure does not involve the egg retrieval from the intended mother or egg donor as the surrogate’s eggs are being used which are already present, making it a simpler technique.

Secondly, in traditional surrogacy, one does not have to look for the egg donor while in gestational surrogacy, if the intended mother’s eggs are not healthy enough, then one needs an egg donor as well. Thirdly, traditional surrogacy is less preferred and thus less common due to the emotional factor of the surrogate being the genetic mother. This situation can be complicated and even result in legal conflicts and the intended parents may have a limited choice in choosing the surrogate as well as the Surrogacy Agency. Fourthly, traditional surrogacy may not be allowed in your country or state by the law, because of the complexities involved due to the baby being genetically related to the surrogate. Many states may not permit traditional surrogacy.

As both types of surrogacy have their own advantages and disadvantages but as intended parents, you have to make a careful and prudent choice so that you do not land up in too many emotional or legal complexities which can lead to disappointments. Consulting one’s surrogacy agency and clearing one’s doubts in detail, including knowing the surrogacy laws is very crucial for prospective parents.

Come to Rite Options and be in safe hands. We are thorough professionals who give you detailed information including the potential risks involved in the procedure. Feel free to call us for a free consultation!