by R.L Hanlon

Created on: July 02, 2008

Surrogacy is when one woman carries a child to give another the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of becoming a mother themselves. For one reason or another, a woman considering surrogacy is unable to bear a child herself. For the woman who is to be the surrogate, bearing the gift of life is an amazing process that requires someone who is a very special person.

Surrogacy is not a decision neither the intending parents nor the surrogate should enter into lightly. It is a selfless act, one that can have many repercussions if the whole process has not been considered carefully.

Following is a look at the many questions you should ask yourself if you're considering surrogacy, as the surrogate or the intended parent.

WILL I USE AN AGENCY OR USE AN INDEPENDENT SURROGATE?

There are many women who are willing to use their wombs to give another the gift of life. If you have exhausted all other avenues and surrogacy is your next option, then you will need to locate someone who is willing and suitable to become a surrogate. Many women find people within their own families and friends and others use an agency where surrogates are represented.

WHAT PROCESS WILL YOU CHOOSE?

Depending on your individual circumstances, you will need to assess the process of surrogacy you will choose. You may use your own egg and husbands sperm, the surrogate's egg and your husband's sperm or a donor egg or donor sperm.

WHO IS AN IDEAL SURROGATE?

The search for a surrogate is one that can interfere with many personal and private issues. You will not only need to assess their physical characteristics, but their medical history including their ancestors, their lifestyle, existing family if any and their emotional stability.

ARE YOU EMOTIONALLY READY FOR THIS?

There are so many factors that you need to consider when you choose to be a surrogate or the intended parent. The process is one that is very long and emotionally exhausting, so it is one that does not want to be taken upon lightly.
At the start and during the process, all parties involved should partake in counseling.

An agency will provide this for you but if you're an independent surrogate or intended parent, you will need to locate someone who can listen to all concerns during the process.

There are many psychological and ethical issues revolving around surrogacy, so of both parties receive individual then group counseling, many problems can be located early on and throughout the process.

LEGALS AND LIABILITIES

First of all you'll need to find

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