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Traditional surrogacy is the process by which a woman - not the intended mother of the child - becomes pregnant with the sperm of the intended father through artificial insemination. The insemination is performed at the time of the surrogate’s natural ovulation. In some instances, a physician may prescribe an oral medication to the surrogate to ensure that ovulation occurs.
The traditional surrogate mother donates her egg for the use of the intended parents in creating their child. There is a genetic tie to the father, but not to the intended mother. Medical expenses for traditional surrogacy are dramatically less than gestational surrogacy, which involves harvesting eggs from the intended mother or a donor and fertilization outside of the surrogate's body. Gestational surrogacy can offer the possibility of genetic links to both parents.
Oftentimes, persons using traditional surrogacy are those who are age 50 and over. This is because it is more difficult for intended parents in that age bracket to secure the services of a treating physician for the in vitro fertilization services required for gestational surrogacy. Because any physician can perform artificial insemination, the intended parents are free of the age limitations typically imposed by a physician specializing in infertility. Even so, intended parents of any age will benefit from traditional surrogacy if they are not in a position to utilize the eggs of the intended mother or one of her relatives, because of the substantial lower medical expenses. |