Surrogacy: Defining a Path to Parenthood
Posted on May 10, 2022
In the world of fertility care, one thing is certain –– there’s more than one way to start or expand a family. Some aspiring parents find that gestational surrogacy is the optimal path, partnering with a surrogate who carries their child but does not have any biological or genetic connection to them. Though the core description sounds straightforward, there are a number of emotional, financial, and physical factors at play throughout this experience. But the first step in every surrogacy journey is the same: learning about the process to determine if it’s right for you.
Why would someone decide to use a gestational surrogate? There are a number of possible reasons, including medical problems with the uterus, the inability to adopt a child (due to age or marital status), medical conditions such as heart disease which makes pregnancy risky, or inability to get pregnant with assisted-reproduction techniques like IVF. Surrogates provide a nurturing environment where a baby can grow throughout the gestational period.
At RBA, we bring medical precision and human compassion to our work with couples, singles, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We are involved in every step of the surrogacy process – donor egg and sperm, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo transfer to the gestational carrier. RBA will also assist you in connecting with the nation’s top leading surrogacy agencies, which match you with a healthy gestational carrier.
It is up to each state to determine the legality of surrogacy agreements. For this reason, you will find that laws vary widely from one state to the next, so it is essential to work with a surrogacy and assisted reproduction attorney who will be able to answer questions about specific surrogacy laws in your state.
In Georgia, surrogacy attorneys have created a legal process to protect intended parents and surrogates. Once both parties are matched and necessary screening is completed, each party will be represented by a surrogacy and assisted reproductive attorney in drafting a legal contract. The attorneys will negotiate important terms, such as expectations and responsibilities of each party, compensation and benefits, risks and liabilities, etc.
If aspiring parents elect to work with an egg, sperm or embryo donor, they should speak with a Georgia attorney to learn more about what kind of contracts might be necessary in this situation. This donation may also affect the legal steps that one must take in order to obtain a pre-birth order. Once both parties sign the surrogacy contract, the medical process of surrogacy can begin.
We are dedicated to helping greater Atlanta, Georgia, individuals and families have babies through state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive fertility planning. When you are ready to start your journey with a gestational surrogate and our team of fertility specialists, contact us to schedule a consultation.
