Surrogacy can be a lifeline for parents who cannot otherwise conceive. However, surrogacy is a very legally and medically complex process that can be extremely emotionally challenging. When considering surrogacy, it is important to understand not only the upsides of surrogacy but the downsides as well. With decades of experience helping families grow, we know the advantages and disadvantages of surrogacy. Here is what we believe every family should know before starting the surrogacy process.
Five Disadvantages Of Surrogacy To Consider
Surrogacy has many advantages but there are also disadvantages of surrogacy. Here are five disadvantages of surrogacy to consider:
1.Financial Costs: Surrogacy can become a very expensive process. You will pay for a number of costs, including:
○ Legal fees
○ Compensation for surrogate
○ Psychological evaluations
○ Prenatal care
○ Fertility treatments
○ Egg retrieval
○ Embryo transfer
○ Travel expenses
○ Maternity clothing
○ Postpartum care
○ Birth-related hospital costs
○ Childbirth education classes
○ Miscellaneous pregnancy expenses
With so many expenses, in some places like the United States, surrogacy can cost upwards of $200,000. However, you can mitigate these costs by working with a surrogacy agency and by considering international surrogacy, where the costs are significantly lower, saving families tens of thousands of dollars.
2.Heavy Emotional Toll: As happy as bringing a new baby into this world can be, the process can be emotionally taxing for both the intended parents and the surrogate mother. There are serious risks of surrogacy, including around the mother and child’s health. Another major point of emotional stress can be navigating the legal agreements and coming to a consensus with the surrogate mother on expectations for the pregnancy. It can also be hard for surrogate mothers to part from the child after their closeness and connection. On top of all of that, there is an emotional toll to managing the social pressures and judgments that come with surrogacy.
3.Pregnancy Risks: Pregnancy comes with risks, whether a traditional or surrogacy pregnancy. Pregnancy risks include miscarriage, preterm labor, or other medical complications. Working with a surrogacy agency that specializes in the medical aspect can help minimize this risk. Agencies vet surrogate mothers for health and have access to the latest obstetrics technology to reduce these risks.
4.Legal Parental Rights Issues: The arrangement between a surrogate mother and the intended parents is legally complex. As a result, many countries, including those in Europe, lack the legal structure to support surrogacy. In these countries, surrogacy presents a massive legal risk, including the loss of parental rights for the intended parents. Selecting a country with clear and favorable surrogacy laws reduces your risk of legal problems. Another way to avoid legal issues with surrogacy is to work with a local surrogacy agency that specializes in navigating those laws.
5.Risks Of Financial Exploitation: Families turning to surrogacy are in an emotionally vulnerable time. As a result, there are a lot of illegitimate organizations preying on them. Even worse, these illegitimate actors exploit surrogate mothers themselves. It is absolutely critical that if you pursue surrogacy, you work with a highly reputable surrogacy agency like Stork Service, with ten years of success supporting surrogate mothers and growing families.
Working with a surrogacy agency can help overcome most of the disadvantages of surrogacy.
Mitigate The Risks Of Surrogacy By Working With A Surrogacy Agency
Surrogacy agencies specialize in the legal and medical aspects of surrogacy. We can help you with everything from finding a surrogate mother to drawing up the surrogacy agreement to navigating the IVF process. Here are the ways surrogacy agencies help you mitigate the risks of surrogacy:
- Surrogacy agencies draft surrogacy agreements, secure parental rights, and provide legal guidance so you meet all local legal requirements.
- Surrogacy agencies thoroughly screen both surrogates and intended parents for compatibility to reduce the risk of conflicts and/or medical issues.
- Surrogacy agencies coordinate with fertility specialists to oversee medical care for the surrogate mother and baby.
- Surrogacy agencies manage all the financial arrangements for the surrogate, including medical expenses and compensation.
- Surrogacy agencies provide emotional support and psychological counseling throughout the surrogacy journey for both the intended parents and the surrogate mother.
- Finally, if conflicts arise, surrogacy agencies offer mediation services to resolve disputes amicably, preventing legal battles and misunderstandings.
Surrogacy agencies protect you against the risks of surrogacy.
Contact Our Reputable Surrogacy Agency Now
When you are considering your surrogacy, it is important to understand the disadvantages of surrogacy and avoid the risks of surrogacy. Backed by ten years of experience helping families from all over the world grow, we know the process inside and out. We’ll be here with you every step of the way, so book a meeting with us today. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about the advantages and disadvantages of surrogacy so you can start your journey.