In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) surrogacy is a situation in which a woman carries and gives birth to a child to whom she is not genetically related on behalf of another person or couple. This sort of situation may occur when a woman wishes to have a child but does not have a uterus or when a male couple wants to have a child using an egg donor’s egg. In some places, a surrogate may receive monetary compensation for carrying and giving birth to the child. Sometimes, however, a person’s friend or family member may agree to do this for him.
There are two basic types of surrogacy. One type involves the impregnation of the surrogate with a man’s sperm. Sperm may come from a male partner in a couple or it may be donor sperm. In such a case, the baby the surrogate gives birth to is related to the surrogate genetically as well as to the male who gave the sperm. If a female partner is involved, she is not genetically related to the baby.
If a single woman or a couple is planning to use a surrogate and wants to be genetically related to the baby, IVF surrogacy is typically used. For example, a woman may be unable to give birth to her own child because of issues with her uterus or health problems that prevent her from having a baby. If her eggs are fine, however, doctors may use her partner’s sperm or donor sperm to fertilize her egg. After fertilizing the egg, doctors would then transfer it to the surrogate's uterus. If the procedure is successful and the pregnancy is viable, the surrogate then goes on to carry the child until delivery.
When IVF surrogacy is used, the parties involved usually sign contracts that detail the terms of their relationship. Such a contract may specify that the surrogate has no legal right to the child born through IVF surrogacy and that the person or couple who sought the surrogacy arrangements will be the child’s legal parents. Often, these contracts also contain information about whether and how the surrogate will be compensated for her participation. For example, she may receive reimbursement for medical expenses and a fee for carrying the child in some places.
It is important to note that IVF surrogacy isn’t legal in all jurisdictions. Many places do, however, allow it as an option for people who cannot have children on their own. Additionally, some places consider surrogacy legal but do not allow payment for it.
