These are the top reasons someone might opt for surrogacy (& they’re all so valid)

Surrogacy and donor conception (the latter being especially close to our hearts here at TRB HQ) are becoming much more widely accepted and discussed routes to parenthood.

But who is surrogacy for? And what are the most common reasons for surrogacy, right now?

With over 20 years of experience in coordinating and providing egg donor and surrogacy services for hundreds of families, we’ve turned to the experts at international agency Extraordinary Conceptions, to find out more.

Over to Hilary Smith, who looks after international client relations.

Pregnancy loss – just one (super valid) reason to choose surrogacy

Every year in October, Baby Loss Awareness Week takes place in the UK, to help raise awareness around miscarriage and baby loss.

We therefore felt it fitting and important to highlight some of the most common reasons why some people pursue surrogacy, given that recurrent miscarriage and pregnancy loss are just two of the many reasons why intended parents (IPs) choose the surrogacy route to parenthood.

Who is surrogacy for?

Surrogacy is for any person who cannot carry a child on their own, whether it be for medical, social, genetic or sexual orientation reasons.

Although in many countries surrogacy is illegal or difficult to pursue, fortunately in destinations such as North America, surrogacy has become an increasingly popular and accessible way of family building, providing fertility help and an alternative route to parenthood for intended parents, both nationally and internationally.

With that said, let us take a look at some of the most common reasons why someone may require a surrogate to have a child.

Reasons for surrogacy

1. Recurrent miscarriage and repeated pregnancy loss

Many women who have trouble trying to conceive naturally, seek help and undergo treatment at a fertility clinic, in order to achieve and sustain a pregnancy.

Unfortunately, a pregnancy is never guaranteed, and several of these women still experience miscarriage and baby loss, even following fertility treatment.

Sometimes the diagnosis is unexplained, or at other times the women may have a ‘known’ uterine abnormality that is not responding to treatment.

The experience of falling pregnant and losing the pregnancy can be extremely difficult at any stage of pregnancy and therefore some of these women will turn to surrogacy in order to have a child.

2. Absence of a uterus

Some women are born with a congenital abnormality called Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser syndrome (MRKH) meaning they do not have a uterus.

Often, a woman learns of this abnormality when she is young and when she fails to get a menstrual period.

Although women with MRKH typically have functioning ovaries and viable eggs; with no uterus – they would not be able to carry a child or fall pregnant.

In addition to this, other women may not have a uterus due to a surgical procedure called a Hysterectomy, where the uterus is removed due to reasons such as cancer or fibroids.

Without a uterus, a woman is unable to carry a child and therefore may require a surrogate to carry the pregnancy for them.

3. Advanced maternal age

Women in their forties and older may often seek surrogacy as their first choice, in order to bring a child safely into the world.

Women of advanced maternal age are at an increased health risk when falling pregnant and may also have more difficulty sustaining a pregnancy, even if an egg donor was used.

4. Medical conditions

Typically, under the advice of a fertility specialist, a woman may choose not to get pregnant due to underlying medical conditions that may make pregnancy risky for her and/or a developing baby in utero.

Some of the possible conditions behind choosing surrogacy for medical reasons are:

• heart problems
• autoimmune disorders
• kidney failure
• diagnosis of an infectious disease that could be transmitted and harm a growing fetus

5. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful and long-term disorder that affects the lining of the uterus (womb), making it difficult and sometimes risky to conceive.

With fertility treatment, some women with endometriosis may fall pregnant and achieve success.

However, others may not – and may need the help of a surrogate in order to reach and sustain a successful and healthy pregnancy.

6. Complicated past pregnancies or deliveries

Women who have experienced a difficult pregnancy or delivery and/or have had severe complications during a former pregnancy may choose surrogacy if they want more children.

These women may be reluctant to pursue another pregnancy or it could be that their fertility specialist may have advised against it in order to avoid another high-risk pregnancy.

Some of the complications that may cause a high-risk pregnancy and/or delivery are:

• preeclampsia
• placenta abruption (or other placenta complications)
• haemorrhage
• cervical issues
• bed rest

This list isn’t exhaustive, and there are many reasons why a pregnancy may be high risk.

7. Same sex or single males

Surrogacy has become a growing, successful and acceptable form of family building for same sex male couples and single men worldwide.

With the absence of a uterus and ovaries – same sex male couples and single men seek out fertility help through surrogacy and egg donation, in order to achieve their dreams of becoming parents.

8. Elective surrogacy

Some women may have business obligations, family circumstances, time constraints or other responsibilities and/or commitments that make it difficult to try to conceive and go through a pregnancy.

Therefore, these particular women may choose the surrogacy route in order to have a child.

The bottom line? Surrogacy is a really viable family-building option

As you can see, there are many reasons why someone may look to surrogacy as a viable, successful and acceptable way of having a child.

Looking to get the ball rolling?  Whatever your reason may be – there are options across North America to help you build your family.

Start by connecting with us at Extraordinary Conceptions and register to view our available donors and surrogates, and we’ll help you take things from there.