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Can a Woman Carry Another Woman's Baby?

Published in Surrogacy Process 2 mins read

Yes, a woman can carry another woman's baby through a process called gestational surrogacy.

What is Gestational Surrogacy?

Gestational surrogacy involves a woman, known as a gestational carrier or surrogate, carrying a pregnancy for another individual or couple. This is achieved through in vitro fertilization (IVF), where an embryo created using the intended parents' or donors' eggs and sperm is transferred into the surrogate's uterus.

How it Works:

  • The gestational carrier does not contribute her own eggs to the process.
  • The surrogate is implanted with an embryo created through IVF, where the intended parent's or donor's egg is fertilized by the intended parent's or donor's sperm.
  • The gestational carrier carries the pregnancy and delivers the baby.
  • The intended parents become the legal parents of the child.

Key Points

  • IVF Process: Involves combining sperm and eggs in a laboratory to create an embryo.
  • Embryo Transfer: The embryo is implanted in the surrogate's uterus for development.
  • No Genetic Relation: The surrogate has no genetic relationship to the baby.
  • Legal Agreements: Legal contracts are established to protect all parties involved in surrogacy.

Why Gestational Surrogacy?

Gestational surrogacy is an option for various reasons:

  • Infertility: Intended parents with fertility issues cannot carry a pregnancy themselves.
  • Medical Conditions: Health conditions may make pregnancy risky or impossible.
  • Same-Sex Couples: Same-sex male couples use a surrogate to have a biological child.
  • Single Individuals: Single men may use a surrogate to have a biological child.

Types of Surrogacy

While gestational surrogacy is the primary focus here, there are other forms of surrogacy:

  1. Traditional Surrogacy: The surrogate provides her own egg, making her the genetic mother of the child. This is different from gestational surrogacy, where the surrogate is not genetically related to the baby.

  2. Gestational Surrogacy: As discussed, the surrogate carries an embryo created from the intended parent's or donor's egg and sperm.

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