What Is a Traditional Surrogate?

Surrogacy is the process of a woman carrying a child within her womb for nine months on behalf of someone else (generally for a couple who are infertile). There are two types of surrogacy: gestational and traditional. Gestational surrogates act as a vessel for the biological child of the intended parents. Traditional surrogacy, however, is a bit different.

Facts

• A traditional surrogate donates her own egg and becomes impregnated through the process of artificial insemination with the intended father's sperm.

Insemination

• A traditional surrogate will undergo insemination at the time of her natural ovulation, occasionally necessitating medication prescribed by her doctor to make sure that she does ovulate.

Difference Between Gestational and Traditional Surrogates

• The child will have a genetic link to his father, since the father's sperm was used in creating the baby. There is no genetic link to the intended mother; which is a primary difference between traditional and gestational surrogacy.

Significance

• According to surrogacysolutions.net, many of the people who choose to use traditional surrogates are over the age of 50, since this option frees the intended parents from age-related limitations. It is also a viable alternative for women who are unable to use their own eggs.

Considerations

• Surromomsonline.com points out that, in most cases, the father will place his name on the birth certificate and the mother will be required to undergo a step-parent adoption. Laws vary in accordance with the state in which you live and it is a wise idea to consult a lawyer.