As a hopeful intended parent, surrogacy is a chance for you to have a child of your own. It’s common for couples to have a lot of questions about biological relationships when considering surrogacy. When you choose to work with a modern surrogacy agency, your child will either be related to:
- You and your partner
- Either you or your partner and a donor
- The donors who provide both gametes
If you know that surrogacy is the right choice for you, contact a surrogacy professional today.
Continue reading to discover the common questions intended parents have, like, “Are surrogate mothers, biological mothers,” and more.
Does a Baby Get DNA From a Surrogate Mother?
You may wonder, “Does a surrogate mother share DNA with the baby?” The answer is no with modern, non-traditional surrogacy (also known as gestational surrogacy).
What is Gestational Surrogacy?
It’s understandable to ask, “Do surrogates give DNA to the babies they carry?” The answer to this question is no.
Gestational surrogacy means a surrogate mother carries the embryo her doctor transfers to her uterus. The embryo is either created with the egg and sperm of the intended parents or with donor gametes.
Why Isn’t Traditional Surrogacy Commonly Offered Through a Surrogacy Agency?
A surrogate mother whose egg is used to create an embryo is called traditional surrogacy. This practice was common before IVF.
Traditional surrogacy is a legally and emotionally complicated process that surrogacy agencies and professionals no longer practice.
Does a Surrogate Mother Pass DNA to the Child?
When people first start researching surrogacy, they often wonder, “Is a surrogate mother the biological mother of the baby she carries?” The answer is no, thanks to a procedure called in vitro fertilization (IVF).
So, although the surrogate mother physically carries your baby until she gives birth, she doesn’t pass on any genetic information to your baby.
Can a Surrogate Carry Another Woman’s Egg?
The answer to the question, “Can a surrogate carry your egg,” is yes, thanks to IVF.
You can expect to go through the following steps during IVF:
- Consider whose egg is used: Determine if you need to use a donor egg. Your doctor will run tests to ensure your (or your partner’s) eggs are viable and can help create an embryo.
- Fertility drugs: If you use your egg, you’ll take fertility drugs to prepare for egg retrieval. These drugs allow your doctor to sync your and the surrogate’s menstrual cycles. If you use a donor, you’ll skip steps two and three.
- Pre-retrieval tests: You will undergo routine tests (bloodwork and a vaginal ultrasound) to ensure it’s time to retrieve your eggs.
- Sperm retrieval: Your partner (or you or the donor) will provide your doctor with a sperm sample.
- Insemination: Your doctor will combine the eggs and sperm in a controlled environment (the medical facility’s lab or fertility clinic).
- Cell division: Once a doctor sees cell division, it’s considered an embryo. The doctor will prepare your surrogate for the embryo transfer.
- Test for pregnancy: After the doctor transfers the embryo to the surrogate, she’ll undergo tests to detect pregnancy. If she becomes pregnant, she’ll start to go to an OBGYN; if no pregnancy is confirmed, you may choose to go through another round of IVF.
Will the Baby Look Like the Surrogate Mother?
No. Because the surrogate mother isn’t providing genetic material to the baby, your child will resemble those who have provided the gametes (you, your partner, the donor/s).
In Surrogacy, Who is the Biological Mother?
If you’re wondering are surrogate babies biologically yours, you are not alone! The answer to this common question depends on if you use your egg or a donor egg.
- You (or your partner) are your child’s biological mother if a doctor uses your or your partner’s egg to create an embryo.
- If you use a donor egg, the donor is your child’s biological mother.
Does a Surrogate Use Her Own Egg?
No. You will either use your (or your partner’s) egg or a donor egg to create an embryo. The surrogate is not related to your child.
Start Your Surrogacy Journey Today
Understanding surrogacy is the first step to determining whether it’s the right family-building option for you. If you’re ready to start pursuing surrogacy, contact a surrogacy professional for more information.
