A surrogate, also known as a gestational carrier, is a woman who carries and delivers a baby for an aspiring parent or couple, either through traditional or gestational surrogacy
. There are two types of surrogacy:
- Gestational Surrogacy : In this common form, the baby is not biologically linked to the surrogate. An embryo is created using the sperm from the future father (or sperm donor) and the egg of the biological mother (or egg donor). The embryo is then implanted into the uterus of the surrogate, who carries the baby to full term
- Traditional Surrogacy : This type of surrogacy uses the sperm of the intended father to fertilize the surrogate's egg. The surrogate mother carries the pregnancy to full term, delivering the baby for the parents to love and raise. In traditional surrogacy, the baby is biologically linked to the surrogate mother
Surrogates are typically screened to ensure they are healthy enough to have a baby, with medical guidelines recommending that they be between 21 and 45 years of age, have had at least one healthy pregnancy and a full-term delivery without complications
. The process of surrogacy involves a comprehensive health insurance policy that covers mental health counseling and compensation for legal fees
. Surrogates also have certain rights under the law, such as the right to select a healthcare professional of their own choosing, the right to terminate or continue the pregnancy, and the right to make health and welfare decisions about themselves and the pregnancy
