Surrogacy

SS

Introduction

Surrogacy is where a woman carries and delivers a child for another person

Did you know?

It is estimated that 650,000 Canadians (or 1 out of 6 couples) are affected with some form of infertility

Intended Parents

Traditional Intended Parents

 A couple where the female is unable to carry the baby because of medical conditions or other reasons

Intended Fathers

(generally refers to a same-sex male couple)  Where they want to start a family but needs to search for a surrogate mother to help them carry the child *It is very uncommon, where a set of homosexual intended mothers would seek a surrogate mother, because with two women, the chances of both experiencing infertility problems becomes rarer

Single Intended Parents

 Wants to start a family but hasn’t found the perfect partner

Reasons women become surrogates

     Want to help someone start a family Enjoyment of pregnancy Self ‐ fulfilment Experience (new friendship) Source of income Surrogacy has been going on for a long time

Surrogacy Qualifications

The Surrogate mother….

  Must have had a least 1 child Must be between the ages of 21-40    Have no history of serious pregnancy complications Must be physically and mentally fit Must be confident in fulfilling their job and giving up the child to the intended parents when born    Must be financially secure Must be willing (along with partner) to undergo psychological and medical assessments

Willing to take IVF medications

Baby M Case: What really happened?

    The Baby M case brought out a lot of controversies in 1986 A traditional carrier Mary Beth Whitehead became instantly attached to the baby when it was born and decided to keep the baby When first becoming a surrogate she has said that she would have problems giving up the child which the intended parents and clinic ignored The intended parents Bill and Betsy Stern blackmailed Mary Beth Whitehead in order to get custody of the child  Bill and Betsy Stern ended up keeping the baby What we learned from this…..

There must be very strict qualifications when becoming a surrogate mother, they must be confident in knowing they will be able to give up the child

Ethical Issues

Reasons

Infertile people should adopt It’s only for the wealthy Surrogacy is against God Gays Shouldn't Be Allowed to use a Surrogate Surrogacy exploits the poor

Argument

-adoption cost, risks, and limitations make it very hard -it’s not their responsibility to adopt (they should be able to have a child of their own) -If they are dedicated they will save and sacrifice as much as they can -does not involve sexual contact therefore there is no adultery committed -everyone believes in something different -they should be allowed to start a family just like everyone else -they are not forced into it -brings money for their family -do it because they want to

Types of Surrogacy

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Traditional Surrogacy

Carrier uses her own egg which will be inseminated with the sperm of the Intended Father, therefore the child will have a genetic link with the intended father and the surrogate mother This is less expensive then gestational but it more controversial because the mother may have difficulties in giving up the baby Since the surrogate mother will have a genetic link with the child the intended parents may look at the surrogates….

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Family History

Make sure her family history is free of diseases 

Appearance

The intended parents will usually look for someone who resembles the intended mother or they will look for an attractive woman with a certain hair and eye colour, height, weight, etc..

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Qualities

The Intended parents will look at the carrier’s hobbies, skills, IQ, etc.

Gestational Surrogacy

 Where the Carrier has no genetic link to the child

Mother's egg, father's sperm

 Example: this would be chosen if the biological mother was unable to carry for medical reasons, the baby will be genetically related to the parents

Donor egg, father's sperm

 Example: if there is no intended mother or if there was a question about egg quality of the mother, or there were no ovaries

Mother's egg, donor sperm

 Example: if there is no intended father or if the sperm quality of the father was questioned

Donor egg, donor sperm

 Example: if the intended parents are unable to produce either sperm, egg or embryo, both the intended and surrogate mother will have no genetic relation to the baby

Average Costs for Gestational Surrogacy

IVF Cycles $10,000-$20,000+ Surrogate mother Expenses (Pre Pregnancy) Childcare, clothing, food, airfare/accommodations etc.

Surrogate mother expenses (during pregnancy Clothing, food, childcare, travel costs, lost wages, medications etc..

$1,500-$3,000+ $10,000-$25,000+ Additional Surrogate mother expense (1)Csection birth (2)Multiple Births (1)$1,000-$3,000 Medical Evaluation Legal Fees Psychological Examinations (2)$1,000-$3,000 $800-$1,500 $3,000-$10,00 $500-$1000 1 year life insurance policy DNA Diagnostics $300-$500 $1,500 Total $26.600-$68.500+

Average Costs for Traditional Surrogacy

IUI Cycle/Home insemination/ IVF Cycle $0-$20,000+ Surrogate mother Expenses (Pre Pregnancy) Childcare, clothing, food, airfare/accommodations etc.

Surrogate mother expenses (During Pregnancy Clothing, food, childcare, travel costs, lost wages, medications etc..

$1,500-$3,000+ $10,000-$25,000+ Additional Surrogate mother expense (1)Csection birth (2)Multiple Births (1)$1,000-$3,000 Medical Evaluation Legal Fees Psychological Examinations (2)$1,000-$3,000 $800-$1,500 $3,000-$10,00 $500-$1000 1 year life insurance policy DNA Diagnostics $300-$500 $1,500 Total $19,600-$68.500+

Treatment

Traditional Surrogacy  artificial insemination may be used either at a clinic or in her home in order to achieve pregnancy Gestational Surrogacy  Gestational Surrogacy Transfer (Embryo Transfer)  IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

Gestational Surrogacy Transfer

Before

 Birth control pills to regulate her cycles (or injectable Lupron - medication may vary)   Estradiol medications to build the lining of her uterus (make it the optimal thickness for the transfer) She will undergo ultrasounds as well as blood tests to check the uterus and hormone levels  3-5 days before the day of the transfer surrogate will start progesterone through injections, vaginal suppository or both

During

  The actual embryo transfer procedure takes only a few minutes and is simple and painless The surrogate mother may be required to consume a large amount of water before the transfer, so that the doctor will have an easier time seeing her uterus on an ultrasound machine

    The surrogate may be given Valium to help her relax The reproductive endocrinologist will tell the intended parents how many embryos are viable for the transfer He/she will cleanse the cervix, with a saline solution He/she will inset the embryos through the cervix and into the uterus through a small thin catheter

After

 The surrogate must rest one hour before leaving the clinic  A pregnancy blood test is given 10-14 days after the embryo transfer and if the surrogate mother is pregnant, she will continue taking medications for another 10-14 weeks NOTE  As a result of the IVF procedure there is a chance of carrying twins, triplets etc., this is because more than one embryo is used (to increase the possibility of the embryos surviving) . Since the surrogates are healthy its more likely that more than one embryo will survive the process.

In Vitro Fertilization

The difference between commercial surrogacy and altruistic surrogacy

   Commercial surrogacy is where the surrogate mother receives a fee Altruistic surrogacy is where the surrogate mother does not receive a fee for her own use she is only reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses ( food, clothing, medication, lost wages etc.) Commercial surrogacy is now prohibited in Canada

Surrogacy Laws in Canada

   No person can consider to pay or pay a female to be a surrogate mother No person can counsel or induce a female person to become a surrogate mother, or perform any medical procedure to assist a female person to become a surrogate mother who is under 21 years of age Commercial surrogacy is illegal Criminal penalty: A fine of up to $500,000 and up to 10 years in jail.

Surrogacy in India

A couple might choose India to find a surrogate because….

   The Cheaper Price (lower cost of living) The Experience Helping another Family *The amount of money a surrogate mother in India receives is approximately $5,000, an amount typically equal to 10 years worth of salary • • • Complications… The intended parents and surrogate mother might need a translator The distance The culture difference In conclusion there is no right or wrong to whether or not you choose surrogacy in India

Surrogacy in other countries

    Surrogacy is banned in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium (and many others) In Israel, commercial surrogacy is legal but altruistic surrogacy is banned (religious reasons related to adultery and incest) In the US, some states recognize surrogacy and some have banned it The UK and Australia permit altruistic surrogacy only

What’s new with Surrogacy?

   Surrogacy in India has become a popular topic New laws enforced to make surrogacy better Has become more acceptable to people because of media, friends, and celebrities

References

Websites      "Gestational carriers (surrogacy)." BabyCenter . N.p., n.d.Web. 21 May 2012. < http://www.babycenter.com/0_gestational-carriers-surrogacy_4099.bc?page=1 >.

"Types of Surrogacy." Canadian Surrogacy Options Inc.. N.p., n.d.Web. 21 May 2012. < http:// www.canadiansurrogacyoptions.com/ types_of_surrogacy.html

>.

"Overview of the Surrogacy Process | Resources | Human Rights Campaign." Human Rights Campaign. N.p., n.d.Web. 21 May 2012. < http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/overview-of-the-surrogacy-process >.

Perkins, Rayven. "Simple Surrogacy Getting Started Guide." Information on Surrogacy Helping Surrogates and Intended Parents. N.p., n.d.

Web. 21 May 2012. < http://www.information-on-surrogacy.com/ >.

Rhoads-Heinrich, Sally. "FAQ." Surrogacy in Canada Online. N.p., n.d.Web. 21 May 2012. < http://www.surrogacy.ca/ res ourcesfaq.html

>.

Pictures  http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/indias-baby farm/2008/01/05/1198950126650.html

  http://novaivf.com/surrogacy-california.htm

http://www.fertilityspecialist.co.za/services/surrogacy/        http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/In-Vitro-Fertilization http://electronics1175.blogspot.ca/ http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20245143,00.html

http://www.surrogacy.ca/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_M http://alreadyafamily.blogspot.ca/2010/09/infertility-starting-with-art.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/health/21brod.html?pagewanted=2&_r =1&sq=sarah%20jessica%20parker%20surrogacy&st=cse&scp=1