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Surrogacy may be a complex and deeply personal journey for most of the intended parents. That said, understanding the key terms and phrases of surrogacy is essential for everyone, be it the intended parents, surrogates, and other parties. Apart from knowing about those phrases and words, you should understand their detailed meaning. In the following parts of the blog, we will bring through some of the most used terms and phrases related to surrogacy across the globe. While knowing them, you can surely ease up your surrogacy journey in any given country, city or region.
A Comprehensive Guide to Key Terms and Phrases of Surrogacy:
- Surrogacy
Surrogacy is the procedure in which a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another individual or couple, known as the intended parents. Moreover, this process can offer assistance to individuals or couples who are incapable of having children on their own due to different reasons, including infertility and random medical conditions.
- Gestational Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy could be a practice in which the surrogate carries a child that’s not biologically related to her. Moreover, this process regularly includes the implantation of an embryo created via vitro fertilization (IVF) using the gametes of the intended parents.
- Traditional Surrogacy
Traditional surrogacy is a process that includes a surrogate who is genetically related to the child she carries. In this procedure, the surrogate’s own egg is fertilized with the sperm of the intended father or a sperm donor.
- Intended parents
Intended parents are people or couples who look forward to realizing their parenthood dreams through surrogacy. That said, they are responsible for making critical choices with respect to the surrogacy procedure. Also, this may include selecting the surrogate, dealing with legal things, and giving emotional and financial support.
- Surrogate Mother
The surrogate mother is the woman who carries and gives birth to the child for the intended parents. Moreover, she plays a key part in the surrogacy procedure and may get compensation for her time, efforts, and commitment.
- Surrogacy agency
A surrogacy agency is a firm or company that facilitates the entire surrogacy procedure. Moreover, these agencies assist intended parents in finding a reasonable surrogate, give legal and medical guidance, and direct various aspects of the surrogacy journey.
- Surrogacy agreement
A surrogacy agreement could be a legally binding contract that outlines the rights, obligations, and desires of all parties included in the surrogacy procedure. Besides, it addresses vital issues such as compensation, medical care, and parental rights.
- Egg Donor
An egg donor could be a woman who lets the intended parents use eggs for fertilization during the IVF process. That said, these eggs are usually fertilized with sperm in a laboratory setting. Besides, the resultant embryos may be implanted into the womb of the surrogate mother to trigger pregnancy.
The egg donor is a crucial part of any surrogacy journey in cases where the intended mother is not been able to use her eggs. Moreover, this inability to use her eggs could be due to any medical or general situation at their end.
- Sperm donor
Just like the egg donor, a sperm donor is a person who donates his gametes (sperm in this case) for utilization during the IVF procedure. Moreover, in cases where the intended parents cannot offer their sperm, a sperm donor’s services could be used to achieve parenthood.
Just like the egg donor, even a sperm donor plays a really crucial role in the IVF process. Moreover, as their sperm would be used to fertilize the embryo, we cannot write off their significance even in the surrogacy journey.
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a medical procedure in which an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body, usually in a research facility setting. Moreover, IVF is commonly used in gestational surrogacy to create embryos that are at that point implanted within the surrogate’s uterus.
The process holds some big importance as it can make or break the entire surrogacy program. This is where you need to connect with the best IVF centre to successfully go through your parenthood desires.
- Embryo transfer
Embryo transfer is the method of placing one or more embryos into the surrogate’s uterus. That said, this step is significant in gestational surrogacy and is typically performed after effective fertilization through IVF.
The process is further been carried out under the strict supervision of medical professionals from the IVF centre.
- Preimplantation genetic Testing (PGT)
Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) may be a method that includes testing embryos for genetic complications or anomalies during the implantation process. Also, this helps to ensure that only the best embryos are been used for the transfer process.
On the other side, the intended parents may sometimes use it to check for any kind of medical complications that may be passed over to the future child.
- Parental Rights
Parental rights can said to be the legal rights and obligations of the intended parents of the child born through surrogacy. Moreover, these rights are set up through the surrogacy agreement and legal forms, guaranteeing that the intended parents get to become the legal parents of the child.
That said, it also depends from country to country and not every nation brings a compulsion to file for parental rights. This is where the intended parents must consult with a trusted legal professional before going forward.
- Compensation and Costs
Compensation and costs incorporate the financial support given to the surrogate for her time, efforts, and related costs amid the surrogacy journey. That said, the particular terms of compensation and costs are ordinarily sketched out within the surrogacy agreement.
Also, it depends on the surrogacy laws of the country where the intended parents are seeking surrogacy. Besides, not every country enforces the surrogacy agreement within their legal territories.
- Post-Birth order
A post-birth order may be a vital component of the surrogacy agreement. Moreover, it traces the steps and methods to be taken after the birth of the child, including the handover of parental rights, supportive care, and any extra-legal steps.
- Medical Screening
Medical screening includes careful medical assessments of both the surrogate and the intended parents, besides, this process guarantees that all parties are physically and medically fit for the surrogacy journey, lessening the chance of complications.
- Emotional support
Emotional support usually refers to the support, care, and understanding given to the surrogate and intended parents all through the surrogacy journey. Moreover, this support supports all the parties to explore the emotional challenges that will emerge during the surrogacy journey.
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Counselling Services
Counselling services are frequently given to both surrogates and intended parents. Moreover, these services offer emotional and mental support, while helping individuals and couples to adapt to the emotional challenges of the surrogacy process.
- Surrogacy coordinators
A surrogacy coordinator may be a person or an agency that helps to oversee the logistical aspects of the surrogacy journey. Besides, they help in planning medical appointments, legal aspects, and communication between all parties. As an intended parent, you must stay really careful while selecting a surrogacy coordinator. This is due to the fact that they have a really crucial role to play in your overall surrogacy journey.
- Legal Representation
Legal representation includes the process of hiring attorneys who specialize in surrogacy law to guarantee that all legal prerequisites are met, including the determination of parental rights and the drafting of the surrogacy agreement.
Final words
Understanding these key terms and phrases related to surrogacy is crucial for people or couples considering this amazing path to parenthood. That said, clarity on these terms ensures that all parties involved have a common understanding of their roles, obligations, and legal rights throughout the surrogacy process.
Also, with this information, people and couples can make informed choices and navigate the surrogacy journey more confidently and successfully, ultimately bringing the blessing of life into the world.
