Surrogacy can be a little confusing at times. There are so many terms and concepts that may be foreign to intended parents or surrogates. For those who are embarking on the surrogacy journey, there is a lot to be learned before you start, and even while you’re navigating through this new experience,
Plus, there are different kinds of surrogacy, which can further complicate your understanding of the process. Are you asking yourself if the surrogate mother shares any DNA with the baby? Is it unclear if they’re genetically related? Having a biological tie to a child that you’re carrying for someone else can certainly complicate matters, which is why learning about what the most common surrogacy process looks like, is vital.
In this article we’ll go over everything you need to know to help both surrogate candidates and hopeful intended parents have a better understanding of those very important details.
What is DNA and how does it work?
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule that contains the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known living organisms. It can be thought of as a chemical blueprint, or even more accurately, a set of biochemical ingredients, ready to be combined in a coded recipe. DNA is responsible for determining our physical traits, such as height and eye color. It also has an impact on the development of characteristics like personality and intelligence, when combined with environmental factors.
Each baby’s DNA is combined from the equal parts of the biological mother’s egg and the biological father’s sperm. It’s formed during the initial fusion of the egg and sperm, a process that’s otherwise known as fertilization. This fertilization creates an embryo, and this embryo has the baby’s genetic information in the form of DNA.
After this point, the DNA copies itself in each one of the baby’s cells – this means that no DNA is ever contributed to the baby after the initial fertilization. Furthermore, DNA facilitates the transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next, leading to the appearance of features from both the biological mother and biological father in the child as they grow older.
Is the surrogate genetically related to the baby?
In some cases, yes – it really depends on what type of surrogacy the intended parents choose. Remember, there are two basic kinds: traditional surrogacy versus gestational surrogacy.
Let’s examine each of them individually to help distinguish the difference and answer whether a surrogate is biologically related to baby:
- Traditional surrogacy. With this type of surrogacy, the baby is genetically related to the surrogate mother. This is because the surrogate’s actual egg is being fertilized with the sperm from the intended father or a sperm donor.
- Gestational surrogacy. Here, the baby is not related to the surrogate mother. This is because the embryo is created from an egg from the intended mother or donor plus the sperm from the intended father or sperm donor.
Most intended parents end up going with a gestational surrogacy cycle, as it is now far more prevalent than traditional surrogacy. This is due to the fact that it’s both psychologically and legally simpler for the surrogate mother not to have a genetic connection to the baby.
There’s also a much lower chance of the surrogate getting emotionally attached to the unborn child, which could complicate the entire surrogacy process. As a result, the vast majority of surrogacy agencies across the board only work with gestational surrogacy cases.
Who is the baby biologically related to?
As previously mentioned, the baby receives their unique DNA from the egg of the biological mother and the sperm of the biological father. Simply put, a biological parent is defined as the individual who contributes their genetic material to establish the child’s DNA. And when talking about a conventional conception outside of Third Party Reproduction, the biological parents would most commonly be the child’s mother and father. However, surrogacy represents a distinct approach to family building that involves a surrogate mother carrying the child on behalf of intended parents who may or may not have a genetic connection to the baby.
Keep reading for an in-depth breakdown of what biological connections are possible through surrogacy.
DNA through the Intended Mother and Father
When both the intended parents have sperm and eggs that are healthy and viable, they can then use their own biological reproductive cells to create an embryo. The mother will undergo an IVF cycle where her eggs will be retrieved, and then fertilized by the intended father’s sperm. If the fertilization is successful, an embryo will form, which will then be transferred into a gestational carrier. And although the pregnancy is carried by a surrogate, the baby only has biological ties to the intended mother and father.
The egg donor process
If a situation arises where an intended mother isn’t able to use her eggs, a third-party donor contributes her eggs to be fertilized with the sperm. This is common if the intended mother has fertility issues or is of advanced maternal age and isn’t able to produce viable, healthy eggs. In this case, it will be the egg donor that will undergo screening, pre-testing, and then the actual IVF procedure in order to procure those precious eggs. Then those eggs will be fertilized by sperm, and after the embryos are formed, the best one will be chosen for implantation into the surrogate mother.
Sperm donation
In the event of the intended parent’s sperm not being viable, or in the case of a same-sex couple consisting of two intended mothers, a sperm donor will be used in order to help fertilize the egg. Like anyone who is contributing genetic material, a sperm donor will go through a thorough screening process and comprehensive testing to ensure the sperm meets the criteria for donation. Unless the intended parents know a suitable candidate personally, the sperm donor is usually matched with the parents through a sperm donor agency.
Traditional surrogacy
There are still some cases where a surrogate mother shares DNA with the baby, and that’s if the intended parents decide to go with a traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate’s own eggs are combined either with the sperm of the intended father or a sperm donor, in order to create embryos. Since the surrogate will not only be carrying the pregnancy but also dedicating her genetic material, she will have biological ties to the baby. But remember, this is usually quite rare, since gestational surrogacy, where a surrogate is only a carrier of the pregnancy, is the preferred treatment option for intended parents.
During surrogacy, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process of combining sperm and eggs in a laboratory setting to create a viable embryo. This embryo is then implanted into the gestational surrogate via a process known as embryo transfer. If this embryo transfer is successful, then the surrogate is officially pregnant and can then carry the fetus to term!
It’s crucial to recognize that no additional DNA is contributed to the baby after the fertilization, so this logically means that none of the gestational surrogate’s DNA is contributed to the baby’s DNA while in utero.
Can The Surrogate Mother Pass DNA To The Child During The Pregnancy?
In short, no – unless the intended parents choose traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother only serves to carry the pregnancy, which means she does not donate her own egg, then there is no DNA transmission from the surrogate to the baby. Remember, this is only the case if gestational surrogacy is used – traditional surrogacy is different since the surrogate’s eggs are used.
The gestational surrogate does not transmit any of her own DNA to the child because of one important anatomical structure: the placenta. It acts as a barrier between the gestational surrogate and the unborn child.
The placenta is an organ that develops in the surrogate’s uterus during the pregnancy process. Not only is it an effective DNA barrier, but it provides oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby while removing harmful waste from the baby’s blood via the umbilical cord. It attaches to the wall of the uterus and encases the baby, keeping it safe and protected.
Thoroughly being screened and meeting all of the essential qualifications to even become a gestational carrier, is one of the most important steps in the journey of surrogate candidates – and also extremely vital to the success and safety of all parties involved. To guarantee the best outcome, it’s vital that the gestational surrogate is healthy and capable of carrying a baby to term without any complications.
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Will The Baby Look Like the Surrogate?
Unless the parents choose the traditional surrogacy route, then the baby will not look like the surrogate, since she will not contribute her own eggs to be fertilized by the sperm.
As we mentioned above, physical characteristics are passed down from generation to generation via DNA. Each baby’s genetic profile is a combination of DNA from the egg and the sperm. After fertilization occurs, an embryo is created that has its own unique DNA sequence, separate from the genetic information in the egg and sperm.
If the intended mother contributes her own egg, then the baby will look like her. If the egg is donated, then the baby will have some physical characteristics of the egg donor. Of course, there will be some physical characteristics that come from the DNA in the sperm, whether it’s given by the intended father or a sperm donor.
It’s understandable that parents want to know whether their baby will have any biological connection to the surrogate and if the baby will carry any of her physical traits, since for many intended parents, it’s a gratifying experience for their baby to bear a resemblance to them. Yet, even if the baby doesn’t inherit any DNA from either the intended mother or father, it won’t diminish their love for their precious newborn. Ultimately, cradling the tiny infant in their arms and welcoming them into their home will make it feel as though destiny has brought them together, and that this baby is a God-given gift to their family.
Choosing the surrogacy experts at Surrogacy by Faith
Trying to tackle the complex world of surrogacy can be daunting, and finding the right surrogacy agency is a crucial part of this family-building journey. Surrogacy By Faith is a California-based agency that works with surrogates and intended parents from all over the country. We take the time and effort to match hopeful parents with highly-qualified and experienced surrogates, resulting in a harmonious relationship and a successful pregnancy. The best part? Many of our knowledgeable and reliable team members have been surrogates themselves! So you can rest assured that the guidance you receive will be based in real-life experience and unparalleled expertise.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your surrogacy journey, reach out to us! Once you’re ready to commit to starting a family with the help of a gestational carrier, you can fill out our intended parent initial inquiry form to begin the process. We pride ourselves on being a surrogate agency with strong Christian values, that always puts the well being and safety of our intended parents and surrogate mothers, first. We can’t wait to help you reach your dreams of expanding your family!