A surrogate mother often faces criticism and judgment from others for the choice she has made. However, those are less of a problem compared to the risks she takes for her own family, friends and spouse. These risks can be overwhelming and cause challenges that she may not have considered before getting involved. These risks can be anything from health and medical concerns to finances and job security, and often family and personal risks as well.
The medical risk is a huge factor, when a woman becomes a surrogate many times she and the donors would have to undergo intense screening. These tests range from blood tests, health tests to the initial process of implantation of the donor’s eggs. Initially, the clinic will bring her and the egg donor together to begin a lengthy process of sequencing ovulation cycles. The clinic would put the surrogate mother on birth control and steroids, like Luprin. These medications are designed so that both the surrogate mother and the donor’s cycles are on the same schedule. This is crucial because the surrogate mothers’ uterus must be ready for the embryos.
Having to deal with the pain of insemination and testing can be excruciating, not to mention the unpleasant side effects of all the medication and the actual insemination process. However, that is only part of it. Surrogates also face depression, sleep disturbances, guilt, and the difficulty of remaining detached. These factors alone cause many substitutes to face the fact that they are going a long way that not many others might have the strength to do. Many clinics offer counseling and support groups.
Aside from the medical and emotional risks, there may also be legal issues with the laws of the state in which they reside. What kind of laws protect the surrogate mother, what rights does she have about things like privacy? And there are also finances to consider. Generally, surrogate mothers are responsible for all insurance costs. As a surrogate mother, she must have financial security. Statistics show that 70% of surrogate mothers are financially stable and have full-time jobs in their desired career field.
Worst of all, surrogate mothers run the risk of being rejected by their spouses and their families. This can often be difficult to deal with, because most of them feel that they are alone in their decision to do something that they believe is a good service to others. Surrogate mothers are often seen as martyrs because they are dedicated to doing a service that many others do not believe in. In most cases, the surrogate mother and the donor couple create a bond that lasts a long time. Additionally, throughout the child’s life, the surrogate mother would receive photographs and letters and would even be allowed to visit as an aunt.
Being a surrogate mother is not something to be taken lightly. There are many risks and factors that go into being a surrogate. However, for those who make it, the rewards are well worth the trip. For every problem there is a solution, once you find it, you will be a better person for it.