How does surrogacy work? Are there risks involved in the entire process? The medical procedures involved in surrogacy, such as embryo transfer, birth, and pre-transfer drugs, can be pretty complex. There are dangers associated with these procedures that would-be surrogates must be aware of when making their decisions.
A medical practitioner will review the surrogate’s health history. They will also review potential risks with her during the screening process. Surrogate mothers must pass a medical screening to ensure they are healthy enough to bear a child for another couple.
Medical staff will closely monitor the surrogate and the child throughout the pregnancy to detect and treat any issues. The health of surrogates is in danger in various ways throughout the pregnancy duration. Read on to find more information on the health risks of being a surrogate mother.
Fertility Drug Effects
Fertility medicines might have unpleasant side effects, such as slight bruising and soreness in the injection area. A surrogate may have a brief allergic reaction to the reproductive drugs they are given.
Embryo Transfer Health Effects
Although transferring an embryo is relatively straightforward, some women have slight cramps and light bleeding afterward. An antibiotic could be necessary to treat a rare ailment that develops after a transfer.
Potential Delivery Complications
Due to pregnancy-related dangers, some surrogates must undergo a cesarean surgery. Still, some can give birth typically. Each method has its own set of risks, and some surrogates may be unable to have biological children after serving as a surrogate.
Your doctor will inform you of these potential dangers, and your surrogacy contract will include provisions for additional payment in the event of difficulties.
Pregnancy Risks
Several hazards and medical difficulties might arise during a surrogate pregnancy, just as there can during any other pregnancy. Multiple pregnancies placed on a surrogate can raise the likelihood of complications.
Pregnancy-related medical risks include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and even severe issues, including preeclampsia. However, for the most part, surrogates report only minor discomforts such as nausea, exhaustion, and bloating. Therefore, being a surrogate mother is not an easy journey
Emotional Health
Prospective surrogates should be informed of the emotional dangers associated with surrogacy. Surrogate mothers know they will not be taking their babies home at the end of their pregnancy. However, they may experience feelings they were unprepared for due to the surrogacy process and the pregnancy.
Hormonal swings and the possibility of postpartum depression are two emotional dangers of being a surrogate mother. If surrogacy impacts others, the surrogate should go into the process with a strong network of loved ones who can help her through it. The time commitment involved in surrogacy may impact your relationships with friends and family.
Conclusion
Although surrogates are happy when they finally deliver the baby to their custodial parent, the experience of surrogacy can be challenging to handle emotionally and physically. Therefore, if you decide to become a surrogate mother, there’s a lot to consider to make this complicated process much easier and healthier.