Traditional vs. Gestational Surrogacy Comparison: Choosing Your Perfect Option

Thanks to surrogacy, your family can grow, allowing you and your partner to become happy parents. However, before choosing this treatment, it is important to fully understand the process, who it’s suitable for, and any frequently used approaches. It is absolutely necessary to know any and all risks, as well as advantages. In this post, you’ll find a comparison of traditional surrogacy vs. gestational surrogacy, including the main drawbacks and benefits of each option.

What is Traditional Surrogacy?

If you choose to take the route of traditional surrogacy, it is important to understand that your future baby will receive genes from the woman who carried it. This gene-transfer is inevitable due to the use of the surrogate mother’s egg for fertilization, which is one of the key distinctions between traditional vs. gestational surrogacy. The prospective father can provide semen, or a donor can be chosen. The surrogate is inseminated via IUI or, in rarer cases, IVF. The IUI method is considered to be simpler and faster, as the intended mother will not need a complicated infertility treatment or additional medication. Another benefit is that you will not waste time trying to find an egg donor.

Reasons to choose traditional surrogacy program

Why do couples choose this method? The principal causes for this choice can be described as the following:

• Traditional vs. gestational surrogacy has more preferable prices;
• Impregnation involves fewer procedures and is more likely to succeed;
• Using surrogacy vs. gestational carrier, the future legal mother won’t need to undergo tests and screenings because she won’t be involved in the conception;
• This method is perfect for single men, gay couples, and couples with any health issues that can obstruct a woman’s journey to motherhood.

What is essential to notice choosing a traditional surrogacy

Regardless of the advantages of this method, there can still be obstacles. To avoid them becoming an unpleasant surprise, it is better to learn about these peculiarities in advance:

• More legal processes and additional costs;
• Prohibited in many USA states and countries in Europe;
• A carrier will be passing her genetics to the baby, so you will need to choose her much more carefully while deciding between a surrogate vs. gestational carrier.

What is Gestational Surrogacy?

The key point of gestational surrogacy is that the carrier will have no genetic connection to the child. This is the essential difference between a surrogate and a gestational carrier, as the IVF method is used. Sperm and egg can be obtained from legal parents or donors, and one or both parents can be the child’s birth parents.

Reasons to choose gestational surrogacy program

As compared to the previous version, here are the advantages:

• Both parents can become the child’s birth parents, which is a rarity;
• It is allowed in many states and countries, so you won’t have to deal with as many legal issues;
• There is less paperwork. As a gestational carrier vs. surrogate mother is just a carrier without shared genes with the fetus, you can feel more secure in knowing she cannot claim maternity.

Main factors of gestational surrogacy

As you can see, this option has its advantages. However, keep in mind these points as well:

• The intended mother cannot be genetically related to the child if she has a physical condition preventing the production of healthy eggs;
• If the semen and eggs of a couple are used, both must undergo a comprehensive medical examination and, if necessary, treatment;
• Artificial insemination is more complex, often requiring several attempts.

Gestational Surrogacy vs. Traditional Surrogacy: How to Choose a Perfect Option for Your Couple

For each couple, there is an appropriate option. To determine the best solution for you, it is worth weighing all the pros and cons. Such aspects should be taken into account:

• Use of egg/sperm donor. Consider whether you will require this service. With traditional surrogacy, no search is necessary. All you need to do is find a surrogate mother. If the prospective mother is able to provide a healthy egg, the couple can consider gestational surrogacy.
• Medical procedures. Each option of surrogacy has its specifics, and it’s important to consider which will be more convenient for you and your family.
• Legal work. Regardless of your preferred service, both programs include specific legal procedures to follow. Be sure to study the laws carefully and be patient.
• Cost. In comparing traditional and gestational surrogacy, it is worth considering the cost. As traditional surrogacy has no need for a donor egg, it costs less than gestational surrogacy upfront. However, with this price difference is often balanced out after the legal costs of traditional surrogacy are accounted for.  
• Waiting time. These are processes that requires patience. With gestational surrogacy, it is sometimes necessary to wait until a suitable donor or carrier is found. This time does not need to be accounted for with traditional surrogacy, as there is no donor necessary.

Conclusion

Each family is different and has its own unique characteristics. Therefore, there isn’t a single solution that works for everyone. In this article, we’ve explained as many important details that are important to consider on your journey to parenthood. 

We at Startyoursurrogacy.com understand how serious and complex this solution is for you and are eager to advise you regarding any and all important questions, including the differences of gestational vs. traditional surrogacy. Our clinic is located in Georgia — a quaint and beautiful country with a positive attitude towards both types of surrogacy, as well as general family values. All you need to do is get in touch with us and start your journey to having a family.