Most couples that decide it’s time to start a family follow the conventional route of a woman allowing herself to become pregnant and giving birth to a baby nine months later. Unfortunately, not every couple can take this route easily, as obstacles, such as specific medical conditions, for example, make pregnancy too risky.
Fortunately, surrogacy, where another woman agrees to become pregnant on behalf of a couple, is a ready, well-established alternative. Over the years, many hopeful parents have chosen surrogacy, and quite a few of them in recent years have decided to go abroad and undertake their surrogacy journey in another country. But why?
Here’s what you should know about the differences in surrogacy that may be present in other countries.
Surrogacy Laws Differ From Nation To Nation
There are two primary reasons that couples consider going to another country for their surrogacy needs. One of the primary reasons is getting more choice or control over their surrogacy options. The reason for this is simple: Different countries have different legal structures in place for surrogacy, and sometimes, the legal framework for what a couple wants isn’t available in their country.
For example, in France and Germany, surrogacy isn’t legal at all, so couples there have no option within their home nation. In Canada, surrogacy is permitted, but only “altruistic surrogacy,” which is a type of surrogacy in which surrogate mothers volunteer themselves for pregnancy with no expectation of financial reward. While their living and medical expenses may be covered, they usually do this out of a sense of compassion for someone else. In such countries, the number of women who choose to do this purely for charitable reasons is understandably small, often limited to close friends or relatives agreeing for a friend or family member.
However, other countries allow for what is called “compensated surrogacy.” This type of surrogacy offers significant financial recognition for the surrogate mother. Because of this, regions that permit this type of surrogacy also tend to have a much higher pool of medically suitable candidates willing to take on the surrogate mother role.
So, for many couples who don’t want to wait until a candidate is available, going to another country and using the compensated surrogacy method is one way to eliminate years of potential waiting.
Surrogacy Costs Differ From Country To Country
Another thing couples should know about surrogacy in other countries is that the second primary reason people consider going abroad is cost. Thanks to the fluctuation in currency values from one country to the next, what would be regarded as very expensive in one country may be more affordable in another.
A surrogacy agency or clinic in Georgia, for example, would accept payments in laris, the local currency. As a result, American dollars, or even European Euros, go a long way in this country, despite the fact that the country still has access to world-class medical facilities and experienced medical staff. For the equivalent treatment and medical support, people would pay considerably less than they would in a region such as California in the United States.
Getting Started
For couples who are thinking about surrogacy in other countries, the first step once you’ve decided on this course of action is to figure out exactly what kind of surrogacy you want and then see which countries and surrogacy clinics or agencies offer the services that best align with your interests.
So, for example, if you want a compensated surrogacy, then you should already be crossing several countries off your list. If you know, you want compensated surrogacy using the in vitro fertilization procedure because you’re interested in a baby with a direct line of genetic descent from you and your spouse, then that once again will narrow down your choices.
Finding The Right Relationship
After compiling a list, the next step for surrogacy in other countries is to contact prospective clinics or agencies and see what kind of communication and dynamic is possible. If you need to communicate in a preferred language, then now is the time to start eliminating candidates. So, for example, if you’re more comfortable with French or Mandarin Chinese if the surrogacy agency you’re in communication with can’t accommodate that, you should move on.
While it may not be necessary for you to be comfortable communicating with the surrogate mother in a preferred language, it is vital that you be comfortable doing so with the surrogacy agency.
Legal Concerns
A final consideration for surrogacy in other countries is what legal measures need to be taken after the birth. Citizenship of a newborn baby is not automatically granted just by taking the baby home to the intended country of residence.
Without taking the proper steps beforehand, an infant can be declared “stateless” and not allowed to enter a country, leaving parents in a dilemma. Always ensure that you and the surrogacy agency you work with know what to do regarding citizenship issues.