Different Types of Intended Parents in Oklahoma
Gestational surrogacy is a process in which a woman carries and delivers a child for someone else. The woman, or the gestational surrogate, has no biological connection to the child. The embryo is conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) before being placed inside the surrogate. The people who have children through gestational surrogacy are the intended parents.
Each intended parent has his or her own story. Each intended parent faces an obstacle that prevents him or her from having children through conventional means. Here are four different types of intended parentsand the different reasons why they choose to pursue gestational surrogacy.
1) Infertile Couples
Couples living all across the country struggle with infertility. Some of the people who long to become parents can’t get pregnant at all. Others have suffered from miscarriages on numerous occasions. If having a biological connection to their child is important to them, gestational surrogacy may be their only option.
The intended parents can provide their eggs and sperm for the IVF, and their surrogate can carry and deliver the child. If the intended parents can’t provide the egg or sperm, if their own eggs or sperm are unhealthy, they can use a donor.
2) Same Sex Couples
Gestational surrogacy is popular among those who are members of the LGBT community. Many gay and lesbian couples long to have children but are unable to have them through conventional means. These couples may choose gestational surrogacy if having a biological connection to their children is important to them.
Two gay men can’t conceive, carry and deliver a child. They can, however, provide their sperm for the IVF. They can then acquire the egg through a donor.
Two gay women may use gestational surrogacy if they can’t get pregnant nor carry to term. They could use their own eggs for the IVF on separate occasions. If neither woman can provide the egg, they would have to use a donor’s egg along with a separate donor’s sperm.
3) Single Individuals
Similar to gay and lesbian couples, single individuals can’t have children through conventional means.
A man can’t conceive a child when he doesn’t have a partner. If he would like to have biological children through gestational surrogacy, he would have to find an egg donor and a surrogate mother.
A single woman may choose gestational surrogacy if she can’t get pregnant nor carry to term. She may pair her own egg with a donor’s sperm and then have a surrogate carry and deliver the child.
4) Older Couples
When you get older, it becomes more difficult to have biological children. Most older women can’t get pregnant. If they manage to get pregnant, there’s a greater risk the child will suffer from birth defects. Gestational surrogacy allows older folks to have children while avoiding this risk.
The women who are selected to become surrogates are very young, between the ages 21 and 39. Before the IVF takes place, their reproductive history is evaluated to make sure they are fertile. The surrogate also undergoes medical screenings before the embryo transfer takes place.
Intended Parents at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma
Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma works with different types of intended parents. We’re here to guide them on their surrogacy journey regardless of who they are, regardless of their circumstances.
If you’re an intended parent preparing to take the first step, or if you’re a potential surrogate preparing to meet the intended parents, be sure to contact us.
Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma is a surrogacy and adoption agency, licensed by the state of Oklahoma and leader in the community. We assist both intended parents and gestational carriers (surrogates). Our staff members are committed to providing an ethical, empowering, and personalized experience to all involved in the surrogacy process.
Toll-free: 800-898-6028 | OKC Local: 405-755-1999 | Tulsa Local: 918-447-7777 | Text: 405-310-8790 | Email
Meet the Author: Heather Valenzano is an up-and-coming content creator with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a minor in English. After graduating from Iona College in 2019, she got an internship – and then a part-time job – writing blogs and managing social media accounts for Hip New Jersey, a lifestyle website owned by Long Shot Productions. She has also produced website and social media content for CommonPage, an external collaboration platform.
When she isn’t working, Heather enjoys watching crime shows like Forensic Files or posting book reviews to OnlineBookClub.org under the username “LavenderLiterature2.”