Altruistic surrogacy is a beautiful arrangement where a compassionate woman carries and gives birth to a baby for another person or couple in need, without receiving any compensation beyond covering necessary expenses. She does this purely out of the goodness of her heart to help someone’s dream of having a family come true.
Defining Altruistic Surrogacy
Instead, the baby she carries will become the child of the intended parent or parents once born. The surrogate receives no payment for carrying the child beyond reimbursement of reasonable expenses like medical bills or maternity clothes. She acts as a gestational carrier, motivated by her own desire to be helpful and make a profound difference in someone’s life.
Some key aspects of altruistic surrogacy:
- No compensation paid to the surrogate beyond covering essential expenses
- Surrogate has no genetic link to the baby
- Based on one person helping someone else have a child out of pure goodwill
- Legal parents are the intended parent(s) from birth
Motivations For Pursuing This Route
There are a few common situations that lead intended parents down the path of altruistic surrogacy:
Infertility Issues
Due to medical reasons like an absent or non-functioning uterus, many women cannot physically carry a pregnancy. Surrogacy allows them to still have a biological child. As of 2018, about 6% of married women in the U.S. aged 15-44 are infertile.
Same-Sex Couples
Male same-sex couples and single men wishing to have a biological child rely on surrogacy and an egg donor to help then start a family.
Altruistic Desire to Help
Some women feel a calling to act as a surrogate out of kindness, Compassion and wanting to give the gift of life. Building families through surrogacy forges a unique lifelong connection.
Biological Connection
Having a biological child gives parents an unparalleled feeling of connection. Altruistic surrogacy arrangements facilitate this genetic bond while allowing someone else to carry the baby.
The Altruistic Surrogacy Journey
The decision to move forward as or with an altruistic surrogate is an important one with medical, emotional and legal considerations. Key steps in the process include:
- Extensive screening of the surrogate’s physical health and mental wellbeing
- Professional counseling to ensure she understands all facets of this life changing undertaking
- Matching with intended parents on a compatible basis
- Signing a clear contract defining all rights and responsibilities
- Using IVF to create an embryo with the intended parents’ genes
- Transferring the embryo to the surrogate’s uterus to start pregnancy
- Supporting the surrogate with care coordination throughout
- Delivery of baby that is genetically connected to the intended parents
- Hospital discharge directly to intended parents for immediate bonding
It is truly an emotional rollercoaster for all. But in the end, the rewards of a precious new life achieved through such an incredible collaboration makes every valley in the journey so worthwhile.
Learn more: Costs of adult adoption
Laws & Regulations Surrounding Altruistic Surrogacy
The complex nature of surrogacy arrangements, even altruistic ones, requires thoughtful regulation. Laws regarding surrogacy (compensated or not) vary significantly by state in the U.S. and from country to country globally. Some key legal considerations include:
- In the U.S., some states only allow unpaid surrogacy arrangements
- Most mandate comprehensive background checks & informed consent procedures
- Legal consultation & contracts are absolutely vital before starting
- In the U.S., post-birth the intended parents go on the birth certificate
- Different countries have diverse citizenship transmission regulations
While the law provides an essential framework, this profoundly intimate, emotional process requires care and wisdom beyond just technical legal compliance. All parties should thoughtfully reflect, seek counsel, and give utmost priority to human dignity and ethical conduct every step of this monumental journey.
A Calling to Create Families
Building families is one of the most meaningful endeavors any of us undertake in life. For those facing fertility struggles, the grief of that loss cannot be overstated. Yet altruistic surrogacy offers real hope – an opportunity to experience the blessing of children through another’s selflessness.
To act as an altruistic surrogate is to make a remarkable sacrifice; carrying a baby for 9 months is no small task. But being able to give a couple that gift of life leaves an eternal mark on their lives and yours. It is a calling born of compassion. A calling to create families.
If you or someone you love desires to build a family through surrogacy, contact us today to start an informed, caring consultation about this life-changing path.
