Couples who are struggling to get pregnant, or have been told they are infertile, might go searching for a surrogate. When engaging a surrogate, you need to be mentally and emotionally prepared for the procedure as it an emotional journey. There has to be full commitment from both of the parties. The process requires financial and emotional investment, so you need to educate yourself and carry out as much research as you can before getting started.
How does the treatment work?
IVF:
IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilisation, which is a process of combining the sperm and egg inside a lab. The fertilised egg will be planted into the uterus. There is a long process that will follow to carry out and complete the IVF treatment. IVF isn’t always successful, and it can take several months to carry out the operation. It will depend on the individual, whether it works first time or if more tries are needed. IVF is an effective method for many who want to get pregnant but cannot do it alone. This process is also used when couples decide they want to participate in baby gender selection.
The female will be kept on certain medications to help mature the eggs and prepare them for fertilisation. The eggs will be taken out of the woman’s body during a medical procedure. The eggs are then mixed with the sperm within a lab until one is fertilised. Once an egg is fertilised, it will be transferred into the woman’s uterus to start a pregnancy.
Surrogacy
Surrogacy may be an option if a woman has defects or inherent conditions or may have even had the uterus removed due to medical problems. The magic here works all in the womb of someone who has agreed to carry the couples, baby, to term. There are still many medical procedures and high costs involved in the fertilisation process here. The couple will need to take care of the surrogate mother and often pay for ultrasounds and doctors appointments until the baby has been born.
Are there risks involved?
IVF: As a complicated medical procedure, IVF does come with some side effects. You may experience bloating, breast tenderness, cramping, bleeding, headaches, infections, mood swings, painful ovaries and allergic reactions to some of the medications. Depression can also occur, mainly if IVF hasn’t worked the first time.
Surrogacy: The main side effects here are the same as IVF if a couple decides they are having a baby this way. It is common for the surrogate mother to feel emotional as they realise the baby isn’t theirs and is only responsible for carrying the baby till the full term.
It will be determined by the individual couple which way they are going to try and get pregnant. It is essential to think the decisions through and seek professional advice before deciding on anything. Take everything into consideration and gather as much information as you possibly can. Each situation is different, so it’s best to take the advice of your doctor as to what is better suited for your circumstances. IVF gender selection costs will also be expensive, if you choose this option. It is important to prepare yourself financially so you do not get yourself into a tricky situation.
If you try IVF and it doesn’t work there is always surrogacy to be considered if you have someone willing to make that sacrifice for you. Again ensure you, your partner and the surrogate mother and partner understand everything clearly and are prepared for the process both physically, emotionally and mentally.
