Exploring the Health Benefits of Surrogacy for Families

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Exploring the Health Benefits of Surrogacy for Families

So, you want a family, but fertility is an issue?

More and more people are finding that surrogacy services are the answer they were looking for, and they start this process every year.

A baby. Their baby.

What you might not know is that there are real health benefits to surrogacy for every person involved.

Mental health benefits, physical safety, a safety net of support. The evidence is in the research and the numbers.

So, what are we waiting for? Let’s dive into the details.

In this article, you’re about to discover:

• The mental health benefits of surrogacy for intended parents
• How surrogacy services protect physical health
• The emotional health benefits for the whole family
• The importance of support

Mental Health Benefits of Surrogacy for Intended Parents

The infertility journey wrecks your mental health.

Years of disappointment. Failed treatments and tests. Negative news days and drained bank accounts. Hope, only to be crushed again. Infertility does not just attack your fertility. It’s a punch to your emotional well-being too.

And it can drag you down.

Couple after couple come into the agency who have decided that they just can’t do it anymore. Their mental health can’t take it.

But there is hope in surrogacy.

Statistics and studies show that those that chose to build their families via surrogacy have better psychological well-being than the average new parents.

Wait what? People that build their families through the help of a surrogate are happier than other parents? Really?

Yes.

The key? It’s the support. It’s the education. It’s understanding how surrogacy works and the process. For example, understanding how surrogacy works in California and other surrogacy-friendly states gives intended parents peace of mind about how the legal and medical process will be.

Parents get to spend the entire time preparing to be a parent, supported by professionals and helped by their matching agency.

The help they get every step of the way takes a lot of stress out of the equation.

Mental health professionals now work with both surrogates and intended parents throughout the entire journey.

It’s part of the team approach and it makes sure that everyone is feeling great.

How Surrogacy Services Protect Physical Health

Health and safety are top priorities for surrogacy today.

We now have data to prove that health and safety is getting better with each year of surrogacy services.

Did you know that 69% of surrogates did not experience a single pregnancy complication in 2023?

A whole 69% of surrogates had no issues during the entire pregnancy. And it’s an increase from just 53% in 2021, meaning that the number of healthy pregnancies is climbing.

The trends and technology are catching up with each other and this number will only continue to increase in the coming years.

What’s changed? Several factors are likely to blame. From better surrogate screening to higher-quality medical technology, and better care throughout the pregnancy to improved support networks.

Good surrogacy agencies take health seriously, and pre-screen surrogates long before intended parents are matched. They run full health checks, mental and physical, to determine a surrogate’s baseline.

There are many benefits in this shift:

• Stronger and more rigorous health checks for surrogates
• Early detection of possible problems
• Better prenatal care and support
• Shorter and smoother journeys for all involved

The Emotional Health Benefits for the Entire Family

It’s not just physical health.

A baby is an emotional experience. A lot of people worry about the emotional connection they may or may not feel to the child.

But there is research to show that these concerns are mostly not founded.

The bond is real.

Studies have shown that children born through surrogacy form the same strong and healthy attachments to their parents that other naturally conceived children do.

Kids are just kids and they just want to feel loved.

There has also been analysis done of the “psychosocial characteristics” of surrogacy-born children, and no differences are found. We are talking about happy and healthy attachment, and social and emotional health.

But, it’s not just the kids. The parents are happy too.

The families that go through this process describe the entire experience as life-changing. There’s a bond that develops between intended parents and their surrogates that can last a lifetime.

After the birth, some maintain close contact with the surrogate and her family. The intended parents keep in touch with their surrogates for years to come.

And the surrogate? Most are extremely fulfilled when they find out that they have helped a family start on this life-changing journey.

Why Support Systems Matter

All of the above, and more. The reason so much research and data all point to the same conclusion:

It’s the support.

The support for surrogates has increased greatly in recent years. It is now reported that 81% of surrogates identify family as their primary support group.

Compare this to 31% in 2020.

This is a sea change, a complete cultural shift in the way people approach surrogacy.

The results are clear to see:

• Rates of postpartum depression fell from 28% in 2020 to just 14% in 2023
• Anxiety levels dropped from 23% to only 10%
• Overall, a remarkable 94% of surrogates had no postpartum complications in 2023

Professional support is a large part of the equation too.

Quality agencies now offer therapy and counseling as a normal part of the program. Mental health professionals specialize in working with intended parents and surrogates.

It’s a team effort. Everyone’s health is involved. It’s not just physical health, but mental and emotional too.

The Role of Medical Advancement

Technology is playing a big part in this new era of surrogacy.

Did you know that gestational surrogacy has now become the majority model?

This means that 100% of the intended parents’ DNA is found in the surrogate baby. In this process, the embryo was created using IVF and transferred into the surrogate’s uterus.

This change has a number of benefits:

• Emotional detachment for surrogates
• Clear and simple genetics for the intended parents
• Clear legal standing in most states
• Higher overall success rates

In addition, pre-screening has become much more involved. Genetic testing is available to determine if there are any pre-existing conditions or risks.

Choosing the Right Surrogacy Services

Not all surrogacy services are created equal.

The benefits we talked about above are only true of working with quality agencies and medical teams. Quality matters here more than anywhere else.

What should families be looking for?

The best surrogacy services provide mental health support before, during and after the process. They are careful in screening their surrogates, and take the time to match them with the right intended parents. They are transparent in their communication and offer legal services as well.

The best agencies approach surrogacy as a team experience. They realize that health is about more than just physical.

The Growing Acceptance of Surrogacy

The entire world is opening up to surrogacy more and more each year.

The more mainstream surrogacy becomes the more positive it becomes.

The less stigma there is, the more comfortable families are discussing their journey. Children born through surrogacy can now grow up knowing their origin story in a positive light.

The medical community has also started to open up. Major reproductive medicine organizations are now helping to offer clear guidance and support for the surrogacy journey.

Takeaway

Let’s summarize.

Real, positive and measurable health benefits come from surrogacy. For every person involved.

The evidence is in the numbers. Mental health and psychological wellbeing has been shown to be higher for intended parents. There are safer pregnancies and lower risk of postpartum depression with better screening, medical technology, and stronger support networks.

What you need to know:

• Mental health and support is now the standard at quality surrogacy programs
• Pregnancy complication rates have been reduced significantly
• Postpartum depression and anxiety are at an all time low, because of better support
• Support from family and friends can make a world of difference

If you are considering building your family with surrogacy, these health benefits are another reason to consider taking the step.

With the right team and support around you, surrogacy can be a life-changing positive experience for everyone involved.

The numbers don’t lie. The health and safety of the surrogacy experience has never been better.