Tips on How to Conceive a Baby Boy
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Surrogacy is where a woman carries the foetus on behalf of a couple or a person. Once the baby is born, the surrogate returns the baby to the parents that she carried the baby for. Surrogacy is a very complex process and it is important that all parties seek counselling and legal advice.
In some states a surrogate’s eggs can not be used to conceive a child, so there is no genetic link between the surrogacy and the resulting baby. In other states this is not the case. Where the surrogates eggs are used this is known as ‘traditional surrogacy’. Where the female of the couple egg’s are used this is known as ‘gestational surrogacy’ as there is no genetic link between the surrogate and the resulting baby.
Who Needs Surrogacy
Generally speaking surrogacy is used when the female of the couple is unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. Where IVF has failed to achieve a conception or the female has a health condition that prevents her from conceiving or carrying a pregnancy. It is also used by male same sex couples who would like to have a family.
About the Surrogate
- Generally speaking, there are certain conditions that need to be met before a woman is approved for surrogacy.
- She needs to be of child-bearing age (before the age of natural menopause)
- Have no history of pregnancy-related illness
- Have a pre-existing relationship with the recipient couple (usually two years or more)
- Have given birth to at least one baby
- Both surrogate and recipient parents should not have any history of or current psychiatric illnesses to ensure that their decision making mechanism is sound, or compromise the care of the resulting baby
- In NSW the surrogate can not use her own eggs for the conception, but a donor egg is acceptable. This law varies from state to state so you would need to check your local laws.
Finding a Surrogate
Couples are responsible for finding their own surrogate. Paid surrogacy is illegal in Australia. In some states it is illegal to advertise for a surrogate, or to advertise surrogacy services. You will need to check your local laws.
Cost Associated With Surrogacy
Treatment costs vary depending on your circumstances and your IVF provider. Currently, Medicare does not provide any rebate for surrogate IVF procedures.
The Laws
When the child is born it is legally deemed to be that of the birth mother; couples will need to check information on local laws around transferring legal parentage.
