Worldwide infertility is a very common problem. Almost 7.8 million females around the globe are facing difficulty conceiving naturally. IVF and surrogacy are two very promising assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) which assist to have a biologically related child. But inadequate information about these medical processes often creates confusion between IVF and surrogacy. Infertile couples who unable to conceive naturally often have a question about which method they can choose to start their family. This confusion can only be eradicated by a detailed understanding of these two processes.
IVF or In vitro fertilization helps by conducting fertilization outside the body and developing an embryo in a test tube. Then the created embryo is implanted into the mother’s uterus for further development.
Surrogacy involves another woman (surrogate) who carries and delivers child/children for another couple or single male parent or gay personnel. Surrogacy is two types traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. In traditional surrogacy, surrogates have a biological connection with the born child/children, as in this case surrogate’s oocytes are used for fertilization. But nowadays many countries have banned traditional surrogacy.
Gestational surrogacy is a common surrogacy process in which the surrogate does not have biological relation with the born child. Both male and female gametes are collected from intended parents or donors for fertilization. Therefore, there is a high chance to create a child with a biological relationship with the intended parents. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate only gestates embryo for development and gives birth to the child/children.
Cost involvement in IVF and surrogacy
Surrogacy is more expensive than the IVF process. Surrogacy involves additional expenditures such as surrogacy agency charges, compensation to the surrogate, and expense for legal activities. However, apart from these, some more additional charges may require depending upon the legal agreement between the surrogate and intended parents. Apart from these, the involvement of donors (if required), medical procedure costs are almost the same in both IVF and surrogacy process.
Risk involvement in IVF and surrogacy
The treatment is given to IVF involves hormonal therapy as well as some invasive procedures. Some women experienced side effects due to the prescribed treatment procedure. Some commonly overserved side effects are bloating, spotting/bleeding, abdominal cramp, headache, breast tenderness, mood swings, ovarian inflammatory condition, allergic reaction because of medicines, and infection. Some women under IVF treatment have a complaint of depression and anxiety.
Surrogacy: IVF is an integral part of surrogacy. Therefore, the surrogate has the same risk associated with the IVF process. Apart from this, the surrogate also experienced pregnancy-related physical changes including weight gain, nausea, morning sickness, etc. Along with physical challenges, the emotional risk is a significant concern, as the surrogate knows after delivery of the child, she has to relinquish the baby to the intended parents. It has often been found that surrogates are suffering from depression and childbirth.
The major differences between IVF and surrogacy are mentioned here. However, depending upon their physical condition, the doctor can only suggest to intended parents which infertility treatment among these two is suitable for them. After consultation with a doctor, intended parents need to prepare themselves accordingly. Both of these fertility treatments require patience, emotional strength, and financial support. Intended parents also need to do self-research before start the treatment procedure.