What is surrogacy? Trying to understand all about surrogate motherhood? Learn about industry terms, various types of journeys, and how surrogate pregnancy works here. If you are new to this community, then this is the place to come to learn.
Terms and Definitions
What is surrogacy?
The definition of surrogacy is the act of one woman carrying a child that belongs to someone else. When the baby is born, the woman carrying the baby will not parent the child; the intended parents who contracted the arrangement will be the legal parent of the child.
Before going any further in your surrogate motherhood information quest, it’s going to be important for you to learn the language. There are many different terms unique to this community, as well as unique acronyms used exclusively within the communities of infertility and surrogate parenting.
Though most of these terms are spelled out on this website, you might encounter them elsewhere. Terms like gestational surrogate, traditional surrogate, intended parents and beta numbers are important to recognize and understand. Your best bet is to read up on them now to get a clear understanding.
What is Surrogacy: Ethics
Surrogate mothers are a topic of great debate worldwide. Many groups of people would like to see an end to it and cite ethical issues as the cause.
Learn about the different types of negative viewpoints you might encounter during your journey and how to logically rebut their arguments. Very valuable information.
What is Surrogacy: Types of Surrogacy
There are two distinct types of arrangements you will encounter: gestational and traditional. Both involve having a surrogate carrier give the child she carries to the intended parents.
There is a difference, however, as to whom the surrogate babies are biologically related to. There is also egg donation, which plays a very big role in the world of infertility. You’ll want to read up on all three of these types of arrangements to understand the difference.
- About Gestational Arrangements
- About Traditional Arrangements
- About Altruistic Arrangements
- About Egg Donation
What is Surrogacy: Types of Intended Parents
In addition to different types of journeys, there are different types of intended parents. Couples, and single parents, turn to surrogate motherhood for a variety of reasons.
Some because the intended mother in the relationship is facing infertility issues that make it difficult or impossible for her to bare her own children. Some couples arrive here because they are in a same-sex relationship, and this is a viable way to have their own children. The reasons people turn to surrogate pregnancy are as diverse as the people themselves. Learn what is surrogacy by learning about the types of intended parents, and their locations.
What is Surrogacy: How it is Viewed
When learning what is surrogacy, it is important that you learn all about viewpoints by different members of society. Many people are confused about surrogate motherhood. Many don’t realize that their viewpoints are based on little information, inflated media hype, and unrealized prejudices.
- Viewpoints of the Surrogate Carriers
- Viewpoints of the Intended Parents
- Viewpoints of the General Population
In the News
The world of surrogate pregnancy has gotten quite a bit of media attention recently. As surrogate motherhood becomes more and more popular, accepted, and common, we are seeing more and more stories about it. From celebrities to Oprah specials, find out about surrogacy in the news.
I hope this page goes a long way towards furthering your knowledge all about surrogate mothers. While the types of arrangements and the types of intended parents vary, everyone involved in the surrogate community is here for one specific goal: to bring happy, healthy surrogate babies into the arms of deserving intended parents.