Infertility problems are increasingly affecting couples across locations, but there is still hope. Thanks to advanced medical solutions like assisted reproductive technologies (ART), infertility problems are no longer the end for couples who dream of having a baby and growing their family. Among these ART methods, there are IVF and surrogacy options, which give hope for couples facing infertility issues. In this blog, let us discuss the difference between surrogacy and IVF procedures to understand them in detail.
What is Assisted Reproductive Technology?
Medical procedures that are used to help individuals and couples overcome infertility issues are called ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology). Some techniques used include the manipulation of eggs and sperm, and even using donor eggs or sperm to develop healthy embryos for a successful pregnancy.
Importance of Understanding the Differences
Understanding the difference between surrogacy and IVF is very important for couples who have been facing infertility issues and want to opt for treatments that increase the success rate of pregnancy. By considering the medical needs, treatment journey, process, and other requirements for each of these ART procedures, couples can make an informed decision together regarding the treatment procedure.
What is IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)?
In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) refers to the process of fertilization of the egg that happens in a laboratory, unlike in the uterus of the female partner. This ART procedure has many stages, from the egg retrieval to the embryo transfer, which requires the hands-on expertise of an IVF specialist in a reputed IVF clinic like MOMSOON IVF.
Process of IVF
The In Vitro Fertilization process starts when the female partner begins hormone therapy. This includes administering hormonal medication for ovarian stimulation, which will result in more egg production in one cycle, instead of just one egg.
When the female partner’s ovaries produce these eggs, they are carefully removed through a small surgical process and kept in a lab in a controlled environment. The male partner’s sperm sample is collected and combined with eggs for fertilization.
The fertilized egg, embryo, is carefully monitored under controlled lab conditions until a certain development stage, and one or two good embryos are transferred into the uterus of the female partner. Further hormonal medications are also administered to stimulate the uterine lining, which will result in successful fetal development, leading to the birth of a healthy baby.
What is Surrogacy?
Unlike in IVF process, where the embryo is transferred into the uterus of the female partner, surrogacy involves the transfer of embryos (created through IVF) to the surrogate’s uterus. This maximizes the chances of successful implantation and a healthy pregnancy from the beginning.
The Surrogacy Process
Surrogacy begins with choosing a woman to be a surrogate mother for the couple dealing with infertility issues.
The surrogate mother consents to carry a pregnancy for the couple where the embryos are formed by using the female partner’s eggs and the male partner’s sperm. Once the legal formalities are completed, the IVF procedure and the embryo transfer to the surrogate mother is carried out. After a successful pregnancy, the surrogate mother delivers the baby and the couple receives the baby.
Key Differences Between IVF and Surrogacy
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Difference
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IVF
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Surrogacy
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Biological Connection
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Biologically related to the couple
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Biologically related to the couple
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Financial Implications
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Less expensive compared to surrogacy
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Can be expensive than IVF, due to factors like surrogate mother’s medical costs, legal fees, etc.
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Legal and Ethical Considerations
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Less or no legal complexity
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It involves legal contracts and specific laws
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Success Rates
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Based on the quality of the egg and sperm, and other factors, like age
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Higher success rate if the surrogate mother is healthy and there are no other complications.
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Psychological Considerations
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Emotional strength is required for the couple undergoing IVF treatment
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Emotional strength is needed for both the surrogate and the couple.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the differences between IVF and surrogacy is important for couples facing infertility, as each option presents unique biological, financial, and emotional considerations that can impact their journey to parenthood. By making informed choices, couples can select the ART option that suits their needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is IVF different from surrogacy?
IVF and surrogacy differ in terms of who carries the pregnancy, which can be either the biological mother or the surrogate mother. In both cases, the eggs and sperm of the biological parents or donors can be used.
2.Can I choose donor eggs for surrogacy?
Yes. For surrogacy, fertilization of an egg can happen using the intended mother’s eggs or donor eggs if required.
3. Who will be considered the biological mother in surrogacy?
The child born though surrogacy is biologically unrelated to the surrogate mother. The intended mother is considered as the biological mother.
4.What is the success rate of IVF?
IVF success rate can vary based on many factors, like the quality of the sperm and eggs used, the embryo’s health, the woman’s age, genetic conditions, and more.
