Pregnancy is a wild journey no matter whether it is via surrogacy or naturally. If you’re considering serving as a surrogate to assist someone else in becoming a parent, know that it’s an incredible gift to give someone else. But also know that the pregnancy does come with a different pathway to pregnancy, new emotions, and a legal and medical landscape that will differ from your natural pregnancy experience.
Accel Conceptions streamlines the process of becoming a surrogate by pairing you with intended parents who value the same things as you do. We know that pregnancy is deeply personal, even when it isn’t your baby that you’re carrying. Explore the difference between natural pregnancy and a surrogate pregnancy as you evaluate what might be right for you.
What is a Natural Pregnancy?
A natural pregnancy starts when a biological mother conceives a baby when her egg is fertilized with sperm either through sexual intercourse or intrauterine insemination.
From that moment forward, the biological mother carries the developing baby and experiences the physical and emotional toll of pregnancy through the full gestation or until delivery.
Medical care for a natural pregnancy involves regular prenatal checkups to ensure the mother and baby stay healthy. And the pregnancy is generally covered through the mother’s health insurance.
The decision to begin pregnancy does not require legal documents or contracts. And the medical process isn’t synced with anyone else’s wishes.
What is Surrogate Pregnancy
Surrogate pregnancy differs from natural pregnancy in that it involves a woman carrying and delivering a baby on behalf of someone else. Generally, surrogates share no genetics with the baby, as in vitro fertilization places a fertilized egg into the surrogate’s uterus.
You might have heard of surrogacy, in which the carrier’s eggs are used. This is known as traditional surrogacy and is not as common because it makes the carrier genetically related to the child, which can make for more legal and emotional complexities.
Differences Between Natural Pregnancy and Surrogate Pregnancy
Natural pregnancy and surrogate pregnancy have many differences. Here’s a look at some key aspects to keep in mind if considering a surrogate pregnancy to know how it will differ from a natural pregnancy.
1. Biological and Genetic Differences
The most apparent difference between natural pregnancy and surrogacy is that in natural pregnancy, the mother carries her own baby, which shares genetics with the mother. In contrast, gestational surrogates share no genetics with the children they carry as they do not use their own eggs.
This means that the surrogate will need to be comfortable with the specialized reproductive technology required in the surrogacy journey.
2. Getting Pregnant
Natural pregnancy involves conception either through intercourse or basic fertility assistance. In most cases, natural pregnancies do not involve creating an embryo and then transferring it to the uterus directly.
In contrast, a surrogate pregnancy has many steps before achieving pregnancy. A surrogate must undergo medical screenings, complete required legal paperwork, and complete hormone preparation to prepare the body to receive the embryo. Then the surrogate will have a procedure to place the embryo in her uterus.
The timeline to achieve pregnancy via surrogacy, as compared to natural pregnancy, is far longer and has additional steps you might not have considered.
3. Medical Monitoring and Care
Regardless of how you get pregnant, you’ll require ongoing medical care throughout pregnancy. However, surrogates often need more medical coordination, such as frequent clinic visits leading up to IVF to help prepare the body.
This includes medication regimens that prepare the surrogate’s body to accept the embryo during the IVF procedure.
Once pregnant, prenatal care is similar to a natural pregnancy, though the intended parents might want to be actively involved in the care, such as being present for ultrasounds.
4. Legal and Emotional Considerations
Carrying a baby is an emotional, life-changing experience no matter what. But surrogates have some additional considerations, such as the legalities and agreements as to how to handle communication with intended parents, expectations, putting financial arrangements in place, and ensuring the intended parents have parental rights at the time of the baby’s birth.
Surrogates might require additional emotional preparation since they are carrying a baby that is not genetically or legally theirs. The first time serving as a surrogate can feel especially isolating and challenging compared to natural pregnancies.
5. Social Considerations
While it isn’t a primary reason women choose whether to be a surrogate, social considerations should be factored in. Throughout the pregnancy, you’ll have friends and acquaintances asking about your new little one. Or even at the grocery store, people might assume that you’re carrying your own child.
Being ready for those situations can help you avoid any awkward interactions. That’s where being part of a surrogacy support group can be beneficial. Accel Conceptions connects its surrogates with such resources to help make the process smooth and as comfortable as possible.
Become a Surrogate with Accel Conceptions
When you partner with a quality surrogacy agency, many of the concerns or considerations dissipate because you have a support network behind you. Being a surrogate with Accel Conceptions will be a clear process with firm legal guidance and protections for both you and the intended parents.
Take the next step toward changing the lives of hopeful parents today by starting the process to become a surrogate now.