(For starters, if you are interested in becoming an intended parent and aren’t sure where to begin your research, start here. We broke down a basic timeline of what your journey will look like.)
Surrogacy IVF technology is still very new and ever-evolving. So let’s dive in.
Whose DNA Gets Passed Down to the Baby?
A baby only inherits genetics from the egg and the sperm that provide the biological makeup. This is why we only have the genes of our parents.
It’s important to note that there are two types of surrogacy, and the answer to this question is very dependent on which type of surrogacy you choose for your journey.
Traditional surrogacy is no longer the “norm,” as we now have updated IVF technology that is more commonly used in the surrogacy industry.
However – traditional surrogacy is when the surrogate uses her own egg, combined with an intended father’s (or a donor’s) sperm, to create the embryo that grows into a child.
With traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is biologically related to the baby.
Gestational surrogacy is the most common surrogacy practice in the United States today, and the only type that we at Los Angeles Surrogacy take part in. Gestational surrogacy employs the use of IVF technology to combine the egg and sperm of the intended parents, or donors, to create an embryo, and then transfer it to the surrogate’s uterus.
The intended mother’s eggs, or a donor’s, will be collected via a low-risk surgery. It will be combined with the intended father’s, or a donor’s, sperm in a medical facility. Once the embryo reaches a certain maturity, it will be implanted into the surrogate’s uterus for growth.
With gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is not biologically related to the baby. There is no genetic link between them.
The baby will be biologically related to whoever donates the egg and the sperm.
Do Surrogates Share Any DNA with the Babies They Carry?
At Los Angeles Surrogacy, we only assist with gestational surrogacy cases. Therefore, none of our surrogates will share a genetic link to the unborn child. The surrogate is not involved in the creation of the embryo.
Because of the extensive screening process, including physical examinations, the surrogate provides a safe place for the embryo to grow into a healthy baby. Her health and lifestyle contribute to the environment where the baby grows and the nutrients that the baby is able to ingest. However, there is no DNA shared between the surrogate and the child.
Why Los Angeles Surrogacy Only Services Gestational Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy cases require a much more straightforward legal process because there is no biological bond between baby and surrogate. There is a distinction between the carrier and the baby because the embryo is made outside of the surrogate’s body. This makes the legalities of parental rights more simple, and it provides personal security for parents and surrogates, as well.
As a side note, the intended parents and the surrogate are represented by two different lawyers to ensure personal security for all.
Do Surrogates Have Any Legal Rights to the Baby?
The short answer is: no. Surrogates have no legal rights to the baby. After the baby is born, the intended parents are the legal parents.
Gestational surrogacy provides far less legal complexities because the surrogate does not share a biological link to the child. Therefore, there is much more legal security for intended parents who pursue gestational surrogacy.
At Los Angeles Surrogacy, we ensure that all legal paperwork is explained in detail to all parties involved. After an educational meeting, the contracts must be signed and secured before the surrogacy process even begins – before the surrogate starts taking hormones to prepare her body for pregnancy.
This way, there are no misunderstandings. We will have all of your questions answered before signing anything.
So for example, in an extreme hypothetical case like the intended parents not wanting the baby anymore and the surrogate wanting to keep the baby, the intended parents would have to go through the adoption process to legally transfer parental rights over.
For more information on legalities, inclusivity, and medical advancements in the California surrogacy industry, please click here.
To recap: The simple answer to the initial question of “Do Surrogates Share Any DNA with the Babies?” is no.
Why Los Angeles Surrogacy?
We have over 15 years of experience working in the surrogacy industry and creating successful partnerships that result in healthy babies! We are passionate about ensuring the safety of all parties involved, and solving any obstacles to ensure a smooth journey from start to finish.
Intended parents and surrogates will be assigned a case manager that will be a stable point of contact for guidance and any necessary communication. Most of our clients become long-term friends with their case managers, even after the baby is born.
We only partner with fertility clinics and law firms that we trust. These are the best facilities available in California for surrogacy.
Though our main offices are located in Los Angeles, our mission statement focuses on intended parents from all over the world, and we pride ourselves on our ability to help our clients coordinate their travel, housing, and activities when coming to the US for appointments or for the birth of their child.
We also have an egg donor program for intended mothers who do not want to or cannot use their own eggs, or for single fathers. There is an extensive screening process for egg donors to ensure their health and physical capability, and we use fresh eggs that are collected for your surrogacy cycle – not eggs that have been frozen for a while. For more information on our egg donor program, please read here.
Anything you need, we are here for you. We want to educate you on all of the aspects of the surrogacy journey so there are no mysteries or surprises. Ask us all of your questions.
If you are interested in becoming a parent via surrogacy, please contact us here.
If you are interested in becoming a surrogate, please reach out here.
We look forward to hearing from you!