A surrogate mother often faces criticism and judgment from others for the choice she have made. However, those are less problematic when compare to the risks that she takes for her own family, friends and spouse. These risks can be daunting and cause challenges she might not have considered before getting involved. These risks can be anything from medical and health concerns to finances and job security and often family and personal risks as well.
Medical risk is a huge factor, when a woman becomes a surrogate often times, she and the donors would have to undergo intense examination. These exams range from blood, health tests to the initial process of the implanting of the eggs from the donor. In the beginning 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, such as Luprin. These medications are meant to get both the surrogate mother and the donor’s cycles on the same schedule. This is crucial because the surrogates’ uterus needs to be ready for the embryos.
Just having to deal with the pain of insemination and testing can be unbearable, not to mention the unpleasant side effects from all the medication and actual insemination process. However, that is just part of it. The surrogates are also faced with depression, sleep disturbance, guilt and the difficulty to remain unattached. These factors alone cause many surrogates to face the fact that they are walking a long road that not many others might have the strength to do. Many clinics offer support groups and counseling.
Aside from medical and emotional risks, there might also be legality issues with the laws of the state they reside in. What kind of laws protect the surrogate, what rights does she have to things such as privacy? And there are also finances to consider. Generally, surrogate mothers are responsible for all insurance costs. As a surrogate you should be financially secure. Statistics show that 70% of surrogate mothers are financially stable and have full time jobs in their desired career field.
The worst of all, surrogates face the risk of rejection from spouses and their families. Often this can be hard to deal with, because most of them feel they are alone in their decision to do something they believe is a good service for others. Surrogate mothers are often seen as martyrs because they put themselves out there to do such a service that many others do not believe in. In most cases, the surrogate and the donating couple create a bond that last long time. Moreover, throughout the course of the child’s life, the surrogate would be sent pictures and letters and even allowed to visit as an aunt.
Being a surrogate mother is not something to be taken lightly. There are many risks and factors that play into being a surrogate. However, for the one who sees it through, the rewards are well worth the journey. For every problem there is a solution, once you find it, you will be a better person for it.
Source by Ashley Kate
