Have you ever felt the pressure of your biological clock, or maybe you wondered if you’ll be able to become a mother or father in the future? You’re not alone. Thousands of people worldwide face fertility challenges every day.
The good news is that science has advanced significantly, and today there are options that allow you to decide about your reproductive future. However, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by so many options, because you don’t know which one is the best for your particular situation.
Infertility, and other difficulties in conceiving, may significantly alter your emotions, from hope to frustration. However, it’s important to know that you’re not alone on this journey, and at Family Aims, we support you throughout the process of building your own family.
Below, we’ll go deeper into two of the most popular procedures: surrogacy and egg donation, and we’ll explain in detail what they are and which are the main differences between them.
Surrogacy: advantages and disadvantages
For many couples facing the harsh reality of infertility or major complications, surrogacy emerges as a light of hope. Through this process a woman can altruistically offer herself as a gestational carrier to help a person or a couple to fulfill their dream of having a child.
Surrogacy can be carried out in various ways, but always with the goal of providing an opportunity for those who cannot have children on their own.
Surrogacy offers numerous benefits to infertile individuals. It allows for the formation of a biological family, something many couples could not achieve otherwise. Additionally, it reduces the health risks associated with pregnancy in women with medical conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, or uterine abnormalities. It is also an option for women without a uterus or for those for whom pregnancy is high-risk. Furthermore, it facilitates a strong family bond, as the parents can be in frequent contact with the gestational carrier and participate in medical check-ups.
However, surrogacy also has its challenges. One of the main ones is the cost, which can be considerably high, and that can make it impossible for some people.
Likewise, the legal and emotional process can be complex and stressful for both the prospective parents and the gestational carrier. It is crucial to have a detailed and signed contract to avoid misunderstandings and to protect the rights of all the parties involved. It is also important to research and carefully choose the surrogacy center, to avoid fraud and to live a safe and positive experience.
Egg donation: advantages and disadvantages
Egg donation is a process where a woman donates her eggs to another woman who cannot conceive with her own. The reasons for this inability can vary, including age, certain medical conditions, or ovulation problems.
Infertility is a common problem that affects approximately 45% of the world’s population, and although there is no single cause, there are various solutions for each case.
The demand for donor eggs is increasing, especially as the timeline for becoming a mother has changed in recent times. As women age, the quality and quantity of their eggs decrease, making conception more difficult. Egg donation offers a solution and allows women and men to experience the joy of motherhood and parenthood.
When is the ideal time to choose each method?
Opting for egg donation is ideal when a woman faces difficulties conceiving with her own eggs due to factors such as advanced age, medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, or ovulation problems.
It’s also a viable solution for those who have undergone medical treatments that affect the quality of their eggs, like chemotherapy. Egg donation allows these women to experience motherhood by using eggs that are fertilized with the sperm of their partner, or another donor, and then implanted in their uterus.
On the other hand, surrogacy is an ideal option in situations where a woman cannot carry a pregnancy to term due to the absence of a uterus, uterine abnormalities, or medical conditions that make pregnancy dangerous for her health. It’s also an alternative for men couples who wish to have a biological child.
A dedicated family surrogacy agency
If you’re considering surrogacy, we’re here for you. At Family Aims, we’ll guide you through every step of the process. We connect you with a legal team specialized in surrogacy and one of the top fertility clinics, to help you make your dreams of parenthood a reality.
Want to know more about surrogacy? Visit our website or book a consultation with one of our advisors.