Gestational vs. Traditional Surrogacy: What’s the Difference?

If you’re considering surrogacy in India, you may have come across words like ‘altruistic’ and ‘gestational’. These words define certain types of surrogacy services that are legal in India. To understand what gestational surrogacy is, you need to understand the differences between gestational vs. traditional surrogacy. In this guide, we cover these differences in detail.

What is Traditional Surrogacy?

Traditional surrogacy is a (mostly) outdated form of surrogacy. In this process, the surrogate is also the egg donor and biological mother of the child. Sperm from the male partner is collected, processed, and transferred to the surrogate in a process called intrauterine insemination (IUI). The resulting baby will share a genetic connection with the surrogate.

Traditional surrogacy is not the norm anymore, as it requires a longer legal process and has the potential to become highly emotionally complicated.

Key Characteristics

• The surrogate is biological related to the baby
• Fertilization takes place through intrauterine insemination (IUI)
• Not legal in India

What is Gestational Surrogacy?

Gestational surrogacy is the most common type of surrogacy today and the only legally supported form of surrogacy in India. In this type of surrogacy, the surrogate is not biologically related to the baby. The intended parents’ egg and sperm are combined to create an embryo, which is then placed in the surrogate’s uterus through the process of in vitro fertilization.

Even if the intended parents require egg donation, the egg is always taken from an egg donor and never from the surrogate. This ensures that no biological relationship is established between the surrogate and the baby. At Corion Fertility Clinic, we only offer gestational surrogacy services, in compliance with the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.

Key Characteristics

• The surrogate is not biological related to the baby
• Fertilization takes place through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
• Legal in India

What’s the Difference? Gestational vs. Traditional Surrogacy

The main difference between traditional and gestational surrogacy is whether the surrogate is biologically related to the child or not. Due to this fundamental difference, certain medical and legal processes for these techniques differ too.

Medical Process

Gestational vs. traditional surrogacy use different medical techniques. While the former uses In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), the latter involves Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).

Cost

Traditional surrogacy costs less than gestational surrogacy, as the process used (IUI) is very affordable. There aren’t any major health risks or potential complications, and it doesn’t involve any invasive procedures or sedation. In contrast, gestational surrogacy is more expensive, as IVF is more complicated, time-consuming, and invasive.

Read more about the difference between IUI and IVF.

Emotional Involvement

The surrogate tends to become more emotionally involved when the baby is genetically related to her. Additionally, the intended parents find it difficult to view the baby as ‘theirs’ because of its relationship with the surrogate.

In gestational surrogacy, surrogates do not feel a biological attachment towards the child. Additionally, both the parents and surrogate undergo counseling to make the transition after the baby’s birth much easier.

Legal Process

Since the surrogate was the baby’s biological mother, traditional surrogacy would involve extra legal steps where the surrogate would terminate her parental rights after the baby’s birth. If the surrogate changed her mind and wanted to keep the baby, it would result in a lengthy legal battle.

When there is no biological link between the surrogate and baby, as in the case of gestational surrogacy, the legal process becomes much less complicated. Even if the surrogate changed her mind and wanted to keep the child, it would not be legally feasible, as she is not the biological mother of the baby and has already signed a contract relieving all claims over it.

Which Clinic Should I Choose For Surrogacy?

Selecting a fertility clinic that understands you should be your top priority. Surrogacy can be a long and difficult process, and you deserve to have care and support every step of the way. A reputed fertility clinic will take care of the medical and legal processes and ensure that you can focus on the most important part—bonding with your future baby.

Instead of choosing a clinic based on location or price, focus on finding one that is reliable and trustworthy. High success rates and quality of medical care are also a plus. At Corion Fertility Clinic, we pride ourselves on being accessible, affordable, reliable, and successful.

To get a comprehensive understanding of your eligibility and the process, book a consultation at Corion Fertility Clinic today! 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Will my baby look like the surrogate?
A. In traditional surrogacy, the baby will look like the surrogate, as the baby is biologically related to her. While in gestational surrogacy, the baby will not resemble the surrogate, as they are not biologically related.

Q. Is gestational surrogacy more risky than traditional surrogacy?
A. No, gestational surrogacy is less risky than traditional surrogacy, as it is less legally and emotionally complicated.

Q. If my egg was used during surrogacy, am I the biological mother?
A. Yes, the person whose egg was used during the surrogacy process is considered the biological mother of the baby.

Q. Do surrogates breastfeed the baby?
A. Whether the surrogate chooses to breastfeed the baby or not is usually up to them. Some prefer breastfeeding for the first few months, while others prefer using a breast milk pump and handing over the milk to the intended parents.

Q. Is traditional surrogacy allowed in India?
A. No, traditional surrogacy is illegal in India. Only altruistic and gestational surrogacy is permitted in India as per the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.

Disclaimer

The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.