Adoption vs Surrogacy: Which one’s better?

They say that home’s where the heart is. But can a home exist without a family? I doubt. There’s more than one way of forming a family. Today, we’ll discuss the two ways to how couples struggling with infertility – or other health concerns challenging pregnancy – can form a family: Adoption vs Surrogacy. These two options are similar in that they’re both life-changing, rewarding paths to parenthood. But which one should we go for? Here’s a head to head battle of  Adoption vs Surrogacy in this article.

1.  Surrogacy: You may share similar genetics with your child

Well, there’s a possibility that you will adopt a child whom you’re genetically related to but these cases are astronomically rare. With gestational surrogacy, either (or both parents) can be genetically related to their child. How is this possible? Physicians take the intended father’s sperm and the mother’s ovum then fuse them to get the embryo. The fertilized embryo is then implanted into the surrogate’s uterus. This is preferred as both parents feel genetically attached to the soon-to-be-born-child. Another option is a Los Angeles Egg Donation if needed. In addition to being genetically related to your child, this option is a better alternative to couples that do not want to go through the lengthy legal procedures accompanying adoption.

2.  Adoption: Considerably cheaper

We can never put monetary value to human life; In fact, this is morally unacceptable. But both procedures are accompanied by financial expenses. When you chose to form a family through the adoption route, you will have to pay for agency fees. There are also other medical and legal procedures accompanying it. In surrogacy, you’re required to cater for fertility treatments in addition to medical and legal charges. You will then be required to give compensation to the surrogate mother. Even though this is negotiable, surrogate mothers are never cheap.

3.  Adoption: Little or no relationship to the biological mother

Most children are adopted from foster homes. The intended parents are never involved in the child’s pregnancy and they never have a relationship with the biological mother. Speaking from a legal perspective, both parties (the biological parents and the adoptive parents) can change their mind at any point through the adoption process further bringing uncertainty. The good thing is that most adoption are brought by unwanted pregnancies and decision changes are often unheard of.

4. Surrogacy: Legal agreement defining the relationship between surrogate mother and adoptive parents.

There’s a legal contact drafted clearly outlining this relationship. In this document, each party’s responsibilities are outlined and their expectations stated. The adoptive mother has to guarantee commitment while the adoptive father is required to support the child. This contract is signed before the surrogacy procedure and the terms are negotiable. It ensures that the surrogate mother keeps herself (and the child) healthy throughout the pregnancy.

Summary: Adoption vs Surrogacy

Surrogacy is achieved through relatively expensive, numerous medical procures whereas adoption is achieved through a straightforward (lengthy) legal procedure. In surrogacy, most of the legal procedures are taken care of before the medical procedure meaning that fewer discrepancies arise. Adoption takes place after birth and both parties have to sign legal agreements before the court issues custody to the adoptive parents. Which one is better? Short answer: It depends.

 

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