Surrogacy and Donors

In certain circumstances a couple simply may not have the option of getting pregnant naturally. If, for example, one of the partners is infertile or otherwise unable to carry a child, they will have to consider other options for starting a family. Two such options are surrogacy and sperm donation.

Surrogacy can be an ideal option for those couples wishing to have a biological child, but who are unable to do so for medical reasons. The process involves implanting a fertilized egg into a surrogate mother, who will then carry the baby to term. However, this procedure can be costly, both emotionally and financially, so it's important that all parties clearly understand the process.

Sperm donation, on the other hand, is recommended for cases in which male infertility is the reason a couple is not achieving pregnancy. The sperm is taken from a healthy donor and then used to fertilize a female egg during infertility treatment - usually during IUI or IVF. The resulting embryo is then implanted inside the uterus and, if the process is successful, pregnancy will result.

Like surrogacy, for some couples sperm donation is a highly desirable method of getting pregnant, as it allows the child to have genetic traits of the female partner, while at the same time allowing her to experience pregnancy.