Surrogacy has been, for the longest time, a preferred method of being a parent for couples dealing with infertility, among other conditions and situations that prohibit childbearing. It is a gift to intended parents and a life-changing decision for a surrogate mother.
Being a surrogate requires a lot of consideration. As a woman unsure of how to become a surrogate mother, it is not uncommon to have a myriad of questions running through your mind. How will I be a surrogate mother? How complex is the whole process? Am I a suitable candidate?
The truth that being a surrogate mother is nothing to be taken lightly. It is for this reason that we have come up with a variety of things you should consider before making this life-changing decision.
Let us dive into details.
Are you ready?
Just like you need to be ready to be being pregnant for tour your own kidchild, you need to makes sure you arebe ready to be a surrogate. The first step to doing this is researchingresearch. Get to know and understand all the details surrounding surrogacy.
For instance, you can read more about the different processes used in surrogacy. Also, get to know what is expected of you as the surrogate mother, among other things.
Considering that pregnancy carries a lot of risks and the uncontrollable shift in emotions, you need to think long and hard if this is the right thing for you.
How healthy are you?
The importance of being at optimal health before, during, and after pregnancy cannot be over-emphasized. As an aspiring surrogate mother, you need to ensure you are healthy.
For starters, you need to see a doctor so that he can perform examinations to see if you have any underlying issues that may affect the pregnancy. Also, there is aone will need to discuss family medical history as well as previous pregnancy experiences.
What about your mental well-being?
A surrogate mother needs to be in the right state of mind during the whole process. Any form of mental illness may be a hindrance to being a surrogate.
It is best to seek medical attention in case you are stressed or depressed. If you have a history of mental illness, a doctor's evaluation might help conclude whether the pressures and responsibilities of being a surrogate mother will be overwhelming.
How is your relationship with the intended parents?
If you already have a couple who are willing to have you as their surrogate mother, you need to determine the kind of relationship you have with them. Being a surrogate is nothing short of a huge responsibility and the relationship between you and the intended parents is crucial.
Both parties need to have a mutual understanding of the amount of contact they are going to have during and after surrogacy. Also, you need to sit down with the intended parents so that you can discuss what is and what is not acceptable during the pregnancy. For instance, you might find the intended parents are not comfortable with the surrogate mother working or traveling, while to the surrogate, these are practices she enjoys. In such and many other alike situations, there must be a mutual understanding.
Are you ready to give up control?
Especially in the case of gestational surrogacy, you need to decide whether you are ready to give up control. As much as the baby is yours, you must realize that the intended parents have a say on the procedures and medication you will take, no matter how uncomfortable you are.
Such scenarios become particularly tricky when the intended parents have their preferences on how to care for the pregnancy that does not sit well with the surrogate mother.
How will your family take the surrogacy?
As much as you want to be a blessing to other people, a husband may have his reservations on the whole process. Your children might also be confused especially after birth when the child goes away.
The best decision is to talk to your family first and get them on board before anything else.
