There are many reasons why people choose to use a surrogate mother to expand their family. It’s not unusual for people to choose this route, regardless of their ability to conceive a child naturally. Despite the legalities and cost, the use of surrogate mothers is on the rise. This is thankfully due, in part, to the increased acceptance of same-sex couples, as well as a vast array of options for future parents in terms of surrogacy programs and agencies. Payment plans are also available to many that seek to use a surrogate mother, making it easier to follow their dreams of having a child.
1. Same-sex Couples
Same-sex couples are unable to conceive a child naturally and often turn to surrogate mothers to help them in their journey to parenthood. Women in same-sex relationships have the option to use a sperm donor if one of the women is able to carry a child, though many still choose to use a surrogate. Men, however, rely solely on surrogacy to bring their child into the world. It’s a beautiful gift worth sharing!
2. Single Individuals Who Want Kids
A single woman with an inability to conceive or carry a baby to full-term will require the help of a surrogate mother. Alternatively, a single father will require a surrogate as well, regardless of his fertility.
3. Unable To Stop Medical Treatment
The list of drugs and treatments that are off-limits during pregnancy are seemingly miles long. While it’s nice to think that someone would be able to hold off on their medication for nine-plus months, it’s not always an option. This ranges from severe depression to a serious medical condition such as epilepsy.
4. Age
Age plays a big role in a woman’s ability to conceive and carry a child. By the age of forty, the likelihood of getting pregnant drops significantly, though it does still happen. Some women can conceive at this age with the use of fertility treatments, some without. However, a majority of women will likely need to use a surrogate at this age.
5. Adoption Is Difficult, And Some People Long For Children Who Are Blood-Related To Them
The surrogacy process can take a while, but it’s considerably more straightforward than adoption in many cases. Some future parents choose to use a surrogate instead of going through the adoption process for this reason. Others have always longed for a child that is blood-related to them, which may be a reason they choose to go the surrogacy route.
6. Structural Problems or Lack Of A Uterus
A hysterectomy or congenital uterine abnormality may make pregnancy or birth impossible for some women. A hysterectomy clearly makes conceiving a child an impossibility, but some women don’t find out about a structural problem with their uterus until later in life, typically after trying to get pregnant for a while with no success.
7. Trauma from A Past Pregnancy
Both physical and emotional trauma surrounding a past pregnancy or birth of a child may deter a woman from pursuing pregnancy. This is a situation where a surrogate would be chosen to move forward with having another baby. Some women go through so much during birth that it causes post-traumatic stress disorder, making pregnancy or birth an emotional rollercoaster not worth riding. Others are simply unable to conceive due to a physical trauma that occurred during the pregnancy or birth of their previous child.
8. Struggling with Infertility
There are countless reasons a couple or individual may struggle with infertility issues, ranging from low sperm count or urethral stricture to endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. A woman that has previously had surgery for an ectopic pregnancy may also face infertility issues. Some couples try to conceive knowing that one or both struggle with infertility, while others have no idea until they are tested.
9. Unable To Carry Full-Term
A struggle many women are faced with is the ability to get pregnant with ease, but an inability to carry to full-term. Conception may happen quickly and frequently, but the fetus may not develop past a certain point. There are many reasons why this may happen, some of which are treatable, and some that are not. For non-treatable cases, these women turn to surrogate mothers to carry their child to full-term.