What Are the Differences Between Traditional and Gestational Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is a way for people with certain fertility struggles to still experience the joys of parenthood. It involves both the surrogate who carries the child and the parent or parents who will raise the child.

While the surrogacy process looks fairly similar from case to case, there are actually two different types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational. Here, we’ll explore the key differences between these two types of surrogacy so that you can better understand which one may be right for your family.

What Is Traditional Surrogacy?

In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is also the biological mother of the child she carries. The child will carry the genetic material of the surrogate and the intended father. This typically occurs through artificial insemination.

Before the advent of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), traditional surrogacy was the only type of surrogacy available. Now, traditional surrogacy only accounts for a small percentage of surrogacy cases. If you are interested in this type of surrogate pregnancy, you may want to speak with a New Jersey adoption attorney about any potential legal complications, such as parenthood disputes.

What Is Gestational Surrogacy?

In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is not the biological mother of the child. Rather, she is simply carrying the child for the intended parents. The child will only carry the genetic material of the intended parents.

This is accomplished through IVF, in which the egg of the intended mother (or an egg donor) is fertilized with the sperm of the intended father (or a sperm donor). The embryo is then implanted into the surrogate’s uterus, and the surrogate will then carry the pregnancy to term.

Gestational surrogacy has become the preferred type of surrogacy as it allows the intended mother to still have a biological connection to her child. It also allows for more control over the process and eliminates many of the emotional and legal complications that could arise from traditional surrogacy. However, legal issues have arisen in many gestational surrogacy cases, so it is still a good idea to speak with a lawyer if you are considering this type of method.

Which Option Is Right for Your Family?

The type of surrogacy that is right for your family will come down to a number of different factors, including personal preference and the particular reason for pursuing surrogacy in the first place.

Traditional surrogacy is often pursued when the intended mother has struggled to conceive with her own eggs. If the surrogate is a close friend or relative of the intended parents, traditional surrogacy may also be the preferred option.

When there is not an egg quality issue, gestational surrogacy is often pursued when the intended mother is unable to carry a child herself. This could be due to a medical condition, such as endometriosis, or because she does not have a uterus. However, if you are interested in using another woman’s eggs to conceive, either gestational or traditional surrogacy may be an option.

Final Thoughts

While both types of surrogacy aim to end with the intended parents taking home a healthy baby, the method of accomplishing that goal varies greatly between traditional and gestational surrogacy.

If you are leaning towards any type of surrogacy, it’s important that you do your research to ensure that it’s the right decision for your family. Each type of surrogacy can have its own legal, financial, and emotional complexities. You’ll want to be sure that you understand all of the potential risks and rewards before moving forward.

One way to learn more about surrogacy is to speak with a New Jersey adoption attorney who is well-versed in surrogacy matters. They will be able to answer any questions you have about the legalities of the process and help you determine whether either type of surrogacy is the right path for your family. Get started with your surrogacy journey by contacting Cofsy & Zeidman at (856) 429-5005 today. We are located in the Camden County borough of Haddonfield.