By Chloe Taylor

Are you considering becoming a surrogate mother? Becoming a surrogate mother can be so empowering and fulfilling. Surrogacy agencies, like those affiliated with the Surrogacy Choices community, provide professional guidance throughout your surrogacy journey. Not only that but having a surrogacy agency and a surrogacy lawyer can make it an easy process. However, surrogacy is complex and, therefore, needs thoughtful advocacy and public awareness. 

What is Surrogacy?

Gestational surrogacy is the process that allows a surrogate mother to carry a child through the use of vitro fertilization (IVF). Through this process, the surrogate mother is not genetically linked to the child. Moreover, surrogates choose this process to help the intended parents have a child. They deeply care about helping people and desire to be a surrogate. However, many people make uninformed assumptions about surrogacy, which can hurt people’s overall view of the process. 

Misconceptions About Surrogacy and Its Implication

Unfortunately, many people make assumptions about surrogacy without being informed. Let’s learn about these misconceptions to better understand surrogacy and its benefits:

Surrogates Get Too Attached and Bond With the Child

Surrogates understand the whole process and recognize they can not legally claim the child. They do not have parental rights in gestational surrogacy. Therefore, they have no legal claim. 

Surrogacy is Unethical

All parties have the same goal and desire in the surrogacy process. Plus, the whole process is highly regulated to ensure the protection of all parties involved. Surrogates choose this process and want to carry the child for the intended parents. 

Surrogacy is an Easy and Fast Process

Surrogacy does take a considerable amount of time. It involves the pre-screening, screening, and medical screening. Then, you will match with the intended parents and make the agreements with them and your surrogacy lawyer. Plus, the vitro fertilization (IVF) process and the pregnancy will take time. 

Surrogates Only Choose Surrogacy for the Money

While the compensation can be a huge plus, it is typically not the only reason women choose surrogacy. There are other benefits and rewards to surrogacy that appeal to those considering it. Simply knowing you are helping the intended parents build a family is rewarding enough. 

Surrogacy is Selfish

Intended parents simply desire biological children. It is an extremely common misconception that intended parents are selfish and should just adopt. But it is natural and normal to desire children who are biologically related to you. 

Surrogacy is risky legally 

Surrogacy involves legal proceedings to ensure the protection of the surrogate mother and the intended parents. Plus, your lawyer and the surrogacy specialists will help guide you and the intended parents through this process. This will include ensuring the intended parents and their rights are protected for the whole process. 

Why Surrogacy Advocacy is so Important

These misconceptions can cause a negative mindset on the process as a whole. But we want to create a positive and supportive environment for those involved in surrogacy. Sharing the truth and understanding these myths is the beginning of making people aware. But more importantly, advocating for the rights of those involved are crucial. Before, during, and after the surrogacy process, the surrogate mother and intended parents should have their rights protected. 

How Can We Create a More Positive Environment for Surrogacy?

As an individual, you can bring more awareness to what surrogacy is and what the benefits are. We can advocate for more supportive policies that benefit the well-being for all parties involved in the surrogacy process. Surrogacy is super complex and complicated both ethically and legally. Most people do not have all the information about the process, and therefore, they likely make assumptions. Let’s recognize this and share the realities of surrogacy. We can advocate for ethical and legal standards to guide and protect surrogate mothers and intended parents. 

Choosing Surrogacy

The surrogacy process can be beneficial and rewarding throughout the whole process. Many surrogate mothers enjoy being pregnant and simply choose surrogacy to experience it again. This time, though, you receive professional care, including physical and emotional support. Knowing you are helping the intended parents achieve their dream of a family makes the experience more beautiful.

Finding Support with Your Surrogacy Agency

The Surrogacy Choices community is dedicated to supporting both surrogate mothers and intended parents. We strive to advocate for you and want to best help you navigate the surrogacy process. Moreover, we have many resources for you to utilize during your surrogacy journey. Our agencies across the nation in Missouri, Kansas, Texas, and Florida are prepared to offer you support. Please reach out today and discuss your options.