When couples or individuals face challenges growing their family, surrogacy can offer a meaningful path forward. But what exactly is a surrogate in pregnancy, and how does the process work?
What Is a Surrogate in Pregnancy?
A surrogate in pregnancy is a woman who agrees to carry a baby for someone else. She becomes pregnant through in vitro fertilization, commonly known as IVF. In most cases today, the surrogate is not genetically related to the baby. This is called gestational surrogacy.
Gestational surrogacy involves creating an embryo using the intended parents’ egg and sperm, or using donor material when necessary. The embryo is then transferred into the surrogate’s uterus. She carries the baby until birth and helps make parenthood possible for those who cannot carry a child themselves.
Is a Surrogate Mother the Real Mother of the Child?
One of the most common questions about surrogacy is whether the surrogate is considered the real mother. In gestational surrogacy, the answer is no.
A gestational surrogate does not use her own egg. She carries the baby but is not the biological mother. The real mother of the child is either the intended parent who provided the egg or the chosen egg donor. This means the surrogate has no genetic link to the baby she carries.
In traditional surrogacy, which is much less common today, the surrogate uses her own egg. In those cases, she is both the carrier and the biological mother. Because of legal and emotional complexity, traditional surrogacy is rarely used.
Is a Surrogate Baby Biologically Yours?
A frequently asked question is whether a surrogate baby is biologically yours. In most gestational surrogacy journeys, the answer is yes.
If the intended mother’s egg and the intended father’s sperm are used, the baby is biologically related to both parents. If a donor egg or donor sperm is used, the baby is biologically connected to the donor and one parent. Since the surrogate does not use her own egg, she has no biological connection to the child.
This clear separation helps protect everyone involved, and legal agreements are created to confirm that the intended parents are the legal guardians from the beginning.
What Is the Meaning of Surrogate?
The word surrogate means someone who takes the place of another. In pregnancy, a surrogate is someone who carries a baby for another person or couple. She supports the journey of intended parents who may be facing infertility, medical risks, or other personal reasons for not being able to carry a pregnancy themselves.
Surrogacy is a process built on trust, compassion, and clear communication. It provides a life changing opportunity for intended parents to experience the joy of having a child, and for surrogates to be part of something incredibly meaningful.
