What Does Surrogacy Mean? Breaking Down Surrogacy’s Impact

Those who are interested in gestational surrogacy often come to us with a few questions. If they’re unsure of exactly what this process is like, they may ask, “What does ‘surrogacy’ mean?”

On the surface, a gestational surrogacy meaning is as follows: any situation in which a woman agrees to carry a child for intended parents without being related to the baby she carries.

But, there’s a bit more to a surrogacy “meaning” than just its textbook definition. In order to fully understand the surrogacy process, every intended parent and gestational carrier must truly understand what surrogacy means to all involved. It’s not just a medical process — it’s a life-changing journey that brings joy and happiness to so many people.

While every person’s experience with surrogacy will be different, we’ve described some of what surrogacy means to certain people in the article below. To find out what surrogacy can mean for you, please call our team of professionals today at 864-573-5533 or contact us online. When you’re ready, the Law Offices of James Fletcher Thompson stand ready to help you start your personal surrogacy journey.

What Does Surrogacy Mean to Intended Parents?

In most situations, a surrogacy journey can be traced back to some of the most important people involved — the intended parents. In most surrogacies, intended parents have tried other family-building methods before turning to gestational surrogacy to bring a much-wanted child into their family.

So, what does surrogacy mean for these people?

For most intended parents, surrogacy means their last (or only) chance at a biologically related child. They may have a few remaining embryos from previous IVF cycles, or they may be a member of a gay couple unable to conceive on their own. Gestational surrogacy also gives intended parents the chance to be intimately involved in their child’s in-utero development — something they can’t often experience in the adoption process.

In addition, surrogacy means more than just a business transaction to intended parents. Instead, they are truly excited to get to know and build a relationship with the woman who will carry their child. They are aware of how physically and emotionally complicated surrogacy can be, and they are committed to supporting their gestational carrier every step of the way. For them, surrogacy is more than just a way to have a child — it’s a partnership.

Hoping to add to your family through surrogacy? Learn more here.

What Does Surrogacy Mean to Gestational Surrogates?

The women who volunteer to be gestational carriers must put a lot of time and effort into helping someone else become a parent. But, when a woman sacrifices so much for this journey, what is the gestational surrogacy meaning that makes it all worth it to her?

The women who become surrogates do so for a few reasons. Mainly, it’s because they want to help someone else add to their family. All surrogates must be raising a biological child in their homes, so they are familiar with the joys and rewards of the parenting experience. These mothers choose to become surrogates to help someone else experience those wonderful things.

Many other surrogates simply enjoy being pregnant. For them, surrogacy means an opportunity to experience all the positives of pregnancy without the commitment of 18 years raising the child they deliver. Of course, surrogacy also means a financial advantage in the form of surrogate compensation (although no surrogate takes this path simply because of the money).

Of course, every woman’s experience with surrogacy will be different but, for many, the meaning of surrogacy is simple — a chance to make a real difference in the world by bringing a life into it. Not only do surrogates help create parents where there were none before, they often come away from their surrogacy journey with a lifelong sense of satisfaction — and a lifelong relationship, to boot.

Hoping to become a gestational carrier? Learn more here.

What Does Surrogacy Mean for Everyone Else?

The availability of gestational surrogacy affects more than just intended parents and gestational carriers. It’s a family-building process that has wide-reaching effects on a community as a whole.

Unfortunately, many people unfamiliar with the process still ask, “What is the meaning of surrogacy?” Because they don’t understand how the process works, they aren’t aware of the many positives associated with this assisted reproduction method.

In general, here’s what surrogacy means to the entire world:

  • A viable and safe way for intended parents to achieve their dreams of parenthood — meaning extended family and friends see their loved ones become the parents they’ve always dreamed about being
  • More acceptance and discussion of non-traditional ways to build families
  • Relief from the stigma and sadness of infertility
  • Pride in non-traditional family-building from the children brought into the world in this way
  • Growing awareness about the difficulties of family-building and increased need for safe legislation of infertility treatments and other family-building options

As surrogacy awareness and availability continues to advance across the United States, more and more intended parents and gestational carriers will be able to make their surrogacy dreams come true. Here at the Law Offices of James Fletcher Thompson, we are happy to guide interested parents through the surrogacy process in the great state of South Carolina. Whatever your personal surrogacy goals and surrogacy meaning is, our team is here to help you make them a reality with our professional surrogacy program.

Learn more about surrogacy in South Carolina by contacting our team online or at 864-573-5533 today.

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