Types of Surrogacy: Gestational, Traditional, Commercial & Altruistic

Medically, there are two types of surrogacy - traditional and gestational, while the type of surrogacy is determined by two factors: 1. How the embryo is created, and 2. Whether the surrogate (carrier) is also the biological mother. 

However, technically, there are 3 more types of surrogacy available to intended parents. 

What Are The Different Types Of Surrogacy?

1. Traditional Surrogacy (TS)

This type of surrogacy is also known as genetic surrogacy and is the first ever type known in history, which is why it’s called traditional surrogacy.

In traditional surrogacy, the woman carrying the pregnancy for the intended parent or parents is also the biological mother of the baby.

2. Gestational Surrogacy (GS)

Gestational surrogacy is a complex process in which the surrogate who is carrying the pregnancy for the intended parent or parents is not genetically related to the child.

In this method, the eggs used to create the embryos come from the intended mother or an egg donor and are not retrieved from the surrogate.

Compensated VS Altruistic Surrogacy

The term ‘compensated surrogacy’ refers to surrogacy arrangements in which the surrogate is compensated for the time and energy she invests in carrying the child for the intended parents. 

On the other hand, altruistic surrogacy generally refers to an arrangement in which the carrier does not receive base compensation beyond permitted expense reimbursement. It may involve friends or relatives, but it is not limited to those relationships and is not necessarily an independent journey.

It is important to note that even though the surrogate does not receive any compensation, there are still various expenses related to this process and are covered by the intended parent or parents: medical expenses such as fertility injections, embryo transfer, check-ups and so on; egg or sperm donor fees when necessary; and legal services fees.

Agency VS Independent Surrogacy

There are intrinsic differences between an independent surrogacy journey (also referred to as private surrogacy) and a journey managed by a fertility agency. 

A surrogacy agency can coordinate many logistical parts of the journey, but it does not itself make the process medically safe or provide all legal protection. Fertility clinics, independent attorneys, mental-health professionals, insurance specialists and escrow providers each have separate roles.

The agency’s services include screening prospective surrogates to ensure they’re physically, mentally and emotionally ready for the surrogacy journey and that they meet all the surrogacy requirements; screening intended parents to ensure they are to go through the process both emotionally and financially; performing background checks on both surrogates and intended parents; providing on-going support to surrogates and intended parents throughout the process; and coordinating clinic visits and meetings with surrogacy professionals. 

In an independent surrogacy, the gestational carrier and intended parents do not use a full-service agency to manage the journey. The parties may already know one another or may connect independently. Independent surrogacy can still be gestational surrogacy and still requires appropriate medical screening, psychological preparation, independent legal counsel, insurance review, escrow and professional coordination.

It’s worth mentioning that some intended parents choose an independent surrogacy even though they don’t know someone who can be their carrier, which means they need to find the right match and perform all the background checks and screenings. In such instances, it’s best to know all the surrogacy disqualifications beforehand and learn exactly how women can become surrogates. 

Naturally, removing the agency fees from the equation means that the independent surrogacy is less expensive and also that both intended parents and surrogates have more control over the process, and some people prefer it that way. 

Independent surrogacy can involve more direct communication, but it does not inherently create a stronger relationship. Relationship quality depends on the people involved, boundaries, communication and support.

Domestic VS International Surrogacy

In domestic surrogacy, intended parents go through the surrogacy process in their own country, while an international surrogacy is an arrangement involving a surrogate residing in another country. 

Intended parents may consider international surrogacy for cost, access, availability or legal reasons, but cross-border journeys can create additional risks involving eligibility, parentage, citizenship, passports, immigration, medical standards and recognition of legal documents. Lower advertised pricing should never be evaluated without those factors.

Before committing to an international program, intended parents should obtain independent legal advice in both the country where the pregnancy will occur and their home country.

What Is The Most Common Form Of Surrogacy?

Gestational surrogacy is the predominant model used by U.S. fertility clinics and professional surrogacy programs. Whether a journey uses a full-service agency or independent coordination varies. The absence of a genetic connection between the carrier and child is medically important, but legal parentage still depends on the applicable jurisdiction.

Are you considering surrogacy?