Surrogacy is a fairly simple concept to understand. A couple cannot conceive a child on their own, so they seek help.
There are several reasons why they might not be able to conceive:
- The man might have fertility problems.
- The woman might have fertility problems.
- The couple might be a same-sex couple.
- The woman’s organs might have been injured.
Whatever the reason, the couple seek another woman to gestate their child. They might also seek a sperm and/or egg donation, depending on the nature of their problems conceiving.
To say that surrogacy is a fairly simple concept to understand, does not imply that the process is simple. In fact, it is a huge project and there are plenty of details to keep track of.
The biggest issues are medical. Obviously there are technical issues involved in implanting a fertilized egg in the surrogate mother. Fortunately, whether you are a surrogate or an intended parent, you don’t need to know about those technical issues.
But there are medical issues you do need to know about, especially if you are the surrogate mother. You will be put through several tests and examinations to make sure your body is ready to accept another woman’s egg.
These tests will not be orphan events. They will be well-supported by the vitamins and hormones and medications that you will need to take. Some of these will be administered by your physician, but most will be self-administered at home. You will have to make sure to keep on top of your schedule for all these items, and keep track of what you take and if there are any unexpected reactions.
Navigating Surrogacy Laws in Florida: Legal Framework and Protections
Understanding surrogacy in Florida also means getting a handle on the law. Yes, you are about to enter into a legal agreement that involves one woman giving birth to a child and a different couple taking legal custody as parents.
In some states, surrogacy is illegal. In other states, there is no legal framework. Florida has a very strong legal framework. What you are doing is a legal contract, where one person supplies a service and the other couple pays for it.
Florida law makes sure that both parties to an agreement have their rights protected.
Florida law also sets parameters on how this service is priced. Surrogate mothers are doing a huge job for the intended parents, so they deserve to be well paid. But this is about rendering a service, not about selling a woman’s body off to the highest bidder; the sky is not the limit.
You should consult a lawyer before getting too far into surrogacy. In fact, as soon as a match is made between surrogate and intended family, you should consult a lawyer. Much of what will go into your contract will be prescribed by law. But there will be decisions to be made, so it is critical to understand your options.
Understanding surrogacy in Florida isn’t all that hard. But following up on all the details is certainly not easy.
