Myths: 5 myths about surrogacy

Following are five myths about surrogacy:

1. Surrogates become emotionally attached. While a surrogate can form an emotional bond with the baby while she’s pregnant, she may also develop a strong relationship with the intended parents. Before pregnancy, surrogates are fully counseled and evaluated to make sure they understand their role during the process, that they are comfortable with the expectations from beginning to end and what giving the baby to the intended parents will involve after birth.

2. Surrogates only care about money. Yes, surrogates are compensated, but the motivation for every surrogate can’t be summed up with one blanket statement. Surrogates choose to become pregnant for many reasons, and even if there are financial motivations, a surrogate can still be proud to help others start a family.

3. The child will be genetically related to the surrogate. In gestational surrogacy arrangements, the baby doesn’t share genetics with the surrogate. In these cases, embryos are made with eggs from the intended mother or donor eggs, while sperm is used from the intended father or a donor.

4. Surrogates care more for their own children. Surrogate mothers are screened and chosen to take part because they’ve shown they are serious about committing to helping other couples build a family of their own. As a result, surrogates are well aware of the responsibilities that come with carrying a baby for someone else and are devoted to making sure the pregnancy and delivery are healthy.

5. Women choose to use surrogates to avoid pregnancy. While there may be misconceptions that women choose to use surrogates to do things such as keep their figures, often times using a surrogate is a couple’s final chance at having a baby that carries one or both partner’s genetic material.