We can distinguish between two types of surrogacy. The difference between the two lies in the origin of the eggs used.
Traditional SurrogacyThe traditional or partial mode has existed for centuries, hence the name traditional. Mentions of this practice have been discovered in the Bible and in vestiges of Mesopotamia. It was the first type of surrogacy that existed, although it is used less and less frequently. The father had sexual relations with the pregnant woman in order to have descendants. Currently, surrogacy is practiced within the framework of assisted reproductive techniques. For the traditional modality, an artificial insemination (AI) is sufficient. From a technical point of view, the procedure is straightforward. Insemination can be practiced in a natural cycle or with a mild ovarian stimulation treatment to control the ovarian cycle and, therefore, the moment of ovulation. When ovulation is about to occur, the semen of the future father or a donor is deposited in the pregnant woman's uterus so that fertilization occurs naturally inside her body. It is a less complex and costly assisted reproductive technique than IVF. Despite this apparent advantage, the traditional modality is used less and less, because the fact that the pregnant woman also has a genetic link with the child can complicate legal procedures. Also, if the pregnant woman transmits her DNA to the child, the emotional bond could be more important. Of course, in case she has functional ovaries, the intended mother will prefer to be the biological mother to transmit her DNA to her child. Gestational Surrogacy Complete or gestational surrogacy is more complex from a technical point of view because it necessarily involves greater manipulation of the gametes. However, this modality is practiced more and more because there is no genetic link between the pregnant woman and the baby.
As the pregnant woman does not provide her eggs, her role is limited to gestation and delivery. The technique used is necessarily in vitro fertilization, be it conventional (fertilization occurs by contact) or ICSI (injection of the sperm into the egg). If she has functional ovaries, the intended mother will undergo hormonal stimulation treatment to be able to extract several mature eggs by follicular puncture. In the case of a male homosexual couple or a single man, or if the intended mother does not have the capacity to provide her own eggs, those of a donor, that is, of a third person, will be used. The eggs are fertilized in the laboratory with the sperm of the intended father or of a donor. After a few days of culture, the resulting embryo (s) can be transferred to the pregnant woman. You can find more information about surrogacy in this link: https://asurrogacy.com/ |
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