The Differences Between Surrogacy Pregnancies and Personal Pregnancies
There is a misconception that a pregnancy is a pregnancy no matter if you are a surrogate or carrying a baby for yourself. Physically, it may be true that pregnancy and birth, barring any complications, is the same no matter who you are carrying for but emotionally being pregnant is a totally different experience as a surrogate. Not only do you, as a GC, become pregnant differently, via IVF, you also have a village of professionals and intended parents who all play a role in the pregnancy and birth. Intended Parents are first and foremost the people who are emotionally connected to a surrogate pregnancy. They come into the relationship with their own baggage which can include past pregnancy losses, the inability to become pregnant themselves, or have some sort of medical challenge (to name a few situations). Surrogates, on the other hand, have already had at least one successful pregnancy and are already a parent. They needed no help to start or complete their family. Surrogates don’t have past trauma that makes it difficult to enjoy each month of pregnancy without the fears that IPs may carry within themselves and often project onto their surrogates. Professionals that are included in the surrogacy process all have a healthy interest in the pregnancy so that the process runs smoothly. With these extra pressures, a surrogate has to be emotionally resilient and flexible throughout the pregnancy. It’s obvious that the birth is also a different experience especially knowing that the surrogate will be separated from the baby at birth and will be going back to her own home to recuperate without having the responsibility of caring for a newborn. Pregnancy and birth during surrogacy are just as beautiful and rewarding as giving birth to add to your own family but with a different type of focus.