Surrogacy is already a widely accepted practice for single parents nowadays. The world is slowly getting rid of stigmas and discrimination, and more and more Intended parents are starting this path alone. But in reality, they are not alone as we follow them in every step, and after the programs are over, we continue to be friends. Despite this, there remain essential things you need to know before proceeding.

Can a Single Parent Pursue Surrogacy?

Several years ago, this question would probably have been more relevant but today, being a single parent and having a child with surrogacy is already a common occurrence. The pace of modern life and the opportunities push more and more people to plan their own families when they feel ready for it. With the development of reproductive medicine capabilities over the past decade, more and more women have resorted to freezing oocytes until the age of 35 and taking steps shortly after having a child; hence yes, the number of single parents is increasing. We will walk this path together, and we will be together throughout the surrogacy process to make this process as easy as possible for you.

Of course, when choosing surrogacy as a single parent, you need to know precisely in which country this is possible and what regulations your country needs to meet to bring your child into your land safely. Nontraditional families are becoming more common, and people choose to be single parents. Each year, thousands of single parents add to their families through surrogacy. With some exceptions, single intended parents experience the same process, enjoy the same benefits, and face the same difficulties as couples pursuing surrogacy. GSC is proud to help so many people create families so let’s start with some basic information:

Gestational Carrier Definitions

A gestational carrier, is an amazing woman willing to carry your baby, she is an extraordinary person who has built her family well, loves being pregnant, and wants to help others. However, she is not genetically related to the child she plans to have for you. Instead, eggs from donors or your own are used to create embryos that are then transferred to the uterus of a surrogate.

We are happy to let you know that you can have a relationship with your surrogate during and after pregnancy if you wish to do so. You may also bond with their family members. Surrogacy can be a fantastic experience if you choose the right person, as she is the one who helps your child enter the world. Gestational carriers are extraordinary women and a trust-based relationship is an integral part of your family-building process. Every time we contact them, we see how much connection is made between the parents and surrogates, when we talk to the carriers about their emotions it is incredible how much warmth comes out from the joy they get from the activity, pleasure in contacting parents.

We, for sure will have more interesting articles on this topic, where we will talk about the path that a surrogate goes through emotionally, how she becomes aware of the new life she will carry inside for nine months for other parents, how it will continue its next life, and how you start a new surrogacy path for a new couple.

How to choose a Gestational Carrier?

All intended parents, singles included, can ask their friends or relatives to be their gestational carriers. We recommend that you trust experienced agencies to match your surrogate and smooth the journey. GS Consulting is familiar with the difficulties of choosing a suitable surrogate from a pool full of attractive and healthy candidates. We can help you find the perfect match and connect prospective parents with women willing to become gestational carriers. She is fully aware of her responsibility and establishes a warm and friendly bond with intended parents. This relationship ensures that the pregnancy is managed smoothly and that the baby is healthy.

One of the most frequently asked questions by parents is how surrogates are selected. The answer is one. We go a long and challenging way until we find the ideal candidate for you. We can say in standard phrases that a surrogate undergoes a medical examination, must meet several criteria, such as her BMI, age, that she must have at least one child of her own, that a psychological assessment must show that she can go this way with you, and so on. It’s all vital, and we do that all, but most notably in the whole process, we try to make you and the surrogate feel comfortable with each other during the entire preparation or pregnancy process. We plan zoom meetings, talks, introduce parents and surrogates to each other, and try to select a candidate for your future child who has a vision more or less close to your vision and is happy to follow recommendations that are important to you. Basically, we do everything possible to help your dreams come true.

Screening the Surrogates

All the rules for screening surrogates that experts in the field recommend must be thoroughly followed. Several years ago, we also used to say that a surrogate should be between 18 and 35 years old, although, after many years of investigation, it is a fact that the best age is above 25-26 years old up to 35-38 years old. It has its explanation, we want a woman who already has at least one child, knows what it means to take care of the fetus during pregnancy, and most importantly, her child should be old enough not to reload during pregnancy. Another critical aspect we pay attention to is whether or not a surrogate mother works. We recommend her to work, of course, on a job that will not cause her physical fatigue and will not prevent pregnancy, but why is it vital for her to work? Because she has her income, and when she becomes a surrogate, she understands the emotional load she has to perform for her intended parents, the financial aspect is necessary but no longer the only priority for her.

Selected healthy young women go through extensive pre-screening (psychological and medical) tests before being approved and they are also provided with the best care during pregnancy and after birth. It is of utmost importance to make sure the candidate is mentally mature and she emotionally understands the significance of surrogacy fully.  Our close collaboration with selected surrogates relates to their medical profiles. Yet, it is also closely connected to their more profound understanding of how vital surrogacy is for their designated parents.  Surrogates between the ages of 19 and 35 should have at least one child, which indicates a healthy reproductive history. However, it is not necessary to be married.

Pros and cons of Surrogacy for Single Parents

There are probably many opinions on this issue, but we will never allow ourselves to set boundaries on what is straightforward and what is not.

Pros:

• You can have a baby by surrogacy and have a biological connection with it
• Surrogacy can help you create long-lasting, meaningful relationships between surrogates and families.
• Sometimes, single-parent surrogacy can be more successful because you decide for yourself when you want to be a parent. Thus, you know how to raise your kid and have the support of your loved ones.

Cons

• Surrogacy can be expensive, and single parents might have additional difficulties budgeting with a one-income.
• Due to the high cost, many intended parents choose surrogacy abroad. So, you’ll have to travel and your work schedule will be adjusted accordingly.
• A parent may be a victim of stigmas during the surrogacy process or after the birth of their child. It can also make it challenging to manage time and resources as a single parent.

Single parents looking to expand their family can consider surrogacy freely. This pathway to parenthood allows you to achieve your parenting goals while maintaining a genetic connection to your child. If it sounds just like what you desire, contact us. Tamari, the founder of GSC, has been working hard with her team to create a process that will guarantee a baby for all who wish to have a family.