There is no doubt that technology has changed the world profoundly in almost all areas of life. It has opened countless doors--especially when it comes to gestational surrogacy. Individuals and couples that once had no chance of starting a family have been given new hope through the process of using a surrogate. Those who carry these miracle babies are called gestational surrogates. They have made a personal sacrifice to give the gift of a family to those who couldn’t otherwise. This decision is not made lightly, and is made after the surrogate has her own family. Many who seek out surrogacy have battled with infertility. Based on statistics from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, over six and a half million women of childbearing age in the U.S. are infertile. The problem of infertility affects men as well, and can be a hard realization to come to terms with. Including gestational surrogates, egg donors are often needed. Using an egg donor is a highly thoughtful decision. While egg donors are often used in surrogacy, some women who are unable to use their own eggs may use a donor to make conception possible. While infertility or difficulty conceiving are a large portion of the population using gestational surrogacy, the LGBT community has embraced the practice. Men who were unable to have children in the traditional sense are now able to use surrogacy to start their own family. Just like the surrogates themselves, this choice isn’t made lightly--but the chance at starting a family using their own DNA has become a profound choice for all. Top-tier agencies are an advisable route to go when applying to become a surrogate or egg donor. And this also holds true for intended parents. Consistency and reputation means everything to a leading agency. They are quite selective when choosing a potential surrogate. Many intending parents have peace of mind knowing that this is the case. Gestational surrogates are chosen based on very strict criteria through medical and psychological screenings. They are already mothers and have had historically healthy pregnancies. Gestational surrogates are not biologically related to the baby – they are babysitting for their intending parents until the day of their birth. Due to the nature of surrogacy, the benefits package for a surrogate starts at $40,000 and up. At reputable agencies, surrogates are also afforded a generous life insurance policy as high as $500,000. Many intending parents choose an agency based on the care they provide their surrogates. And this is highly encouraged. While compensation is never the core reason why a woman wants to become a surrogate, it’s their compassionate that leads the way. They understand how their involvement can change a family. Pursuing a gestational surrogacy is a long process, but will end with a great reward. It is truly a miracle for all parties involved: a new baby for an individual or couple who thought they were in a hopeless situation, and a lifelong gift given by a generous woman, their surrogate. ExtraConceptions.com Special Note: The information contained in this article should not be relied upon for decision making. The laws related to surrogacy and egg donation are constantly evolving and the author makes no representation that any information contained herein is consistent with current law. This information is provided solely as a starting point. Please consult with a reproductive attorney for the most current information applicable to your circumstance.
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