Surrogacy is one of the most trending topics of the recent times. But it is not only high-end celebs like Jay Z, Beyonce, and Kim Kardashian who pursued surrogacy to realize their parenthood dreams.
Even though surrogacy is more accepted as a means of building family, many people are still unaware of the whole concept. Many want to understand‘How surrogacy works’ or ‘ What is the whole process’ and sometimes even their fertility specialist cannot help.
What is Surrogacy?
In general, Surrogacy is an arrangement where a woman carries a child for another couple or person (an intended parent). The process is assisted with the help of IVF (In Vitro fertilization) where an egg and sperm are combined to create an embryo in the laboratory.
Reasons for Surrogacy
There can be numerous reasons why a couple would opt for a surrogate to carry their baby. The commonest reasons include:
1. Uterine issues
Extensive fibroids or Asherman syndrome (uterine scarring) that can make it really difficult for a woman to conceive.This can be caused by hormonal imbalance, thyroid problems, infection, cancer and various other health complications.
2. Any Pre-existing health issue
If a woman is coming with any pre-existing health problem with her kidneys or heart, carrying a pregnancy to the term can be extremely dangerous for her. This is where Surrogacy is often recommended to all such women, while they look forward to realizing their parenthood dreams.
3. Women that have gone through Hysterectomy or born without a womb
There are certain types of cancers that require hysterectomy as a part of the treatment process. MRKH is a condition where a woman is born without a womb. Surrogacy provides all such women with a perfect option to plan their families, without worrying much about their existing health condition.
4. Past pregnancy complications
If a woman has experienced severe health complications in the past whilst being pregnant, she may opt for surrogacy to avoid any such life-threatening complications again. Complications like cervical incompetence and severe preeclampsia can certainly prove fatal for both the mother and child and this is why surrogacy is often advised by medical specialists.
5. Other reasons
Besides all the medical reasons, some women also opt for surrogacy because of career aspirations. Celebs like Kim Kardashian and Beyonce are some real-life examples of this motivation.