What is the Importance of a Birth Order During the Surrogacy Process in Oklahoma?

Surrogate mothers bring new life to awaiting parents who are unable to conceive or carry a child to full term. By choosing to become a surrogate mother, you are dedicating a year of your life and body to another family. It’s a wonderful, life-changing decision! There are two different ways you’re able to carry a child for another family. Traditional surrogacy or gestational surrogacy. In both cases, you will not have parental rights or custody of the child after birth, also keep in mind that birth order will be put in place for the intended parents. However, you will be responsible for assuring the baby is properly nourished and cared for during pregnancy. If OK surrogacy is something you’re interested in, please contact us at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma for more information! We’d love to hear from you.

The Difference Between Traditional Surrogacy and Gestational Surrogacy

• Traditional Surrogates: Traditional surrogacy differs by state. Some states do not recognize traditional surrogacy due to the legal issues that can arise. If you are in a state that accepts and recognizes traditional surrogacy contracts, you’ll be able to go through the process without any legal hiccups.

  Traditional surrogacy involves the surrogate mother donating eggs to be fertilized via intrauterine insemination. That means you will have a genetic connection with the child but will not have parental rights. You are both donating your eggs and your body to help carry and deliver a beautiful little baby to parents who have wanted nothing more than a child of their own.
  Please keep in mind that due to the legal and emotional complications involved in traditional surrogacy it has become illegal in many countries and banned across the United States. For more information about this process please contact your surrogacy caseworker or your legal counsel.

• Gestational Carriers: If you’re interested in solely carrying an awaiting parents’ child without donating eggs, gestational surrogacy is what you’re looking for. As a gestational carrier, an embryo will be inserted into your uterus using IVF treatments. The sperm and egg used by the awaiting parents may be theirs or received via donations from their fertility clinic.

  Some women have viable eggs but are not able to get pregnant or carry a child to full term. This is why gestational carriers matter so much! Sometimes, mother nature is not so giving. For women or couples looking to have a child, gestational carriers are nothing short of a miracle.

What is a Birth Order and Why is it Needed During the Surrogacy Process?

A birth order is incredibly important in surrogate and gestational carrier contracts. When parents use a surrogate mother, birth orders may have to legally adopt their child. In other states, they have to be granted legal custody and parental rights of their child. It is all dependent on where they are from. Most awaiting parents begin the legal steps once a positive pregnancy is produced. This may mean the contract is altered to reflect the dissolution of parental rights. Some parents include you signing away parental rights in the contract before a pregnancy is even produced to ensure everything is set legally on your end.

You are not allowed to sign away parental rights until after the child is born. However, every surrogate mother and gestational carrier signs legally binding contracts that are recognized in the court. Birth orders are the other side for the parents to gain custody. They do not affect the birth plan the parents have put in place, nor does it affect the surrogacy going forward. It is simply to ensure the awaiting parents have legal rights to their child as soon as the baby is born. Your surrogate professional can answer any questions you have about birth orders and parental rights.

Birth orders also benefit the awaiting parents during the birth. Having legal custody of the child prior to birth means they will be treated as the parents in the delivery room. They will be able to be present, hold their child, and make any medical decisions necessary after the birth. In a sense, birth order is a way to give the awaiting parents every right to make decisions for their child as soon as they take their first breath.

Becoming A Surrogate Mother

To become a surrogate mother, you must meet certain criteria. You need to be between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-five. Depending on the agency you go through, the age range may be slightly different. Good health is another requirement to assure the awaiting parents their child won’t be in any known danger during pregnancy, and you must have given birth to one child minimum. The child must also be in your custody. 

Your pregnancy or pregnancies need to have been healthy and normal with no problems during the pregnancy and birth. Suppose you had any complications that affect your health or the child’s health, you may not be allowed to become a surrogate. Fertility clinics do not want to risk your health or the unborn child’s health. 

The Importance of a Birth Order During the Surrogacy Process

Are you interested in becoming a surrogate mother or gestational carrier? Let us help you get started. We want to help you in any way we can. Contact us at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma. We’re here to be a helping hand no matter what you decide.

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

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