A surrogate mother often faces criticism and judgment from others for the choice she has made. However, those are less of an issue compared to the risks she takes for her own family, friends, and spouse. These risks can be overwhelming and cause challenges that she may not have considered before getting involved. These risks can be anything from health and medical concerns to finances and job security, and often family and personal risks as well.
The medical risk is a huge factor, when a woman becomes a surrogate many times, she and the donors would have to undergo intense examination. These tests range from blood tests, health tests to the initial implantation process of the donor eggs. Initially, the clinic will bring her and the egg donor together to begin a long process of sequencing ovulation cycles. The clinic would put the surrogate on birth control and steroids, like Luprin. These medications are designed so that both the surrogate mother and the donor’s cycles are on the same schedule. This is crucial because the surrogate’s uterus must be ready for the embryos.
Having to deal with the pain of insemination and testing can be excruciating, not to mention the unpleasant side effects of all the medication and the actual insemination process. However, that is only a part. Surrogates also face depression, sleep disturbances, guilt, and the difficulty of remaining detached. These factors alone cause many surrogates to face the fact that they are going a long way that not many others might have the strength to do. Many clinics offer support groups and counseling.
Aside from the medical and emotional risks, there may also be legal issues with the laws of the state in which they reside. What kind of laws protect the surrogate mother, what rights does she have about things like privacy? And there are also finances to consider. Surrogate mothers are generally responsible for all insurance costs. As a surrogate mother, she must be financially secure. Statistics show that 70% of surrogates are financially stable and have full-time jobs in their desired career field.
Worst of all, surrogates run the risk of being rejected by spouses and their families. This can often be difficult to deal with, because most of them feel that they are alone in their decision to do something that they believe is a good service to others. Surrogate mothers are often seen as martyrs because they are dedicated to doing a service that many others don’t believe in. In most cases, the surrogate mother and the donor couple create a bond that lasts for a long time. Also, throughout the child’s life, the surrogate would receive photographs and letters and would even be allowed to visit as an aunt.
Being a surrogate is not something to be taken lightly. There are many risks and factors that go into being a surrogate. However, for those who make it, the rewards are well worth the journey. For every problem there is a solution, once you find it, you will be a better person for it.