Difference Between Adoption and Surrogacy

There are two amazing methods to start a family: adoption and surrogacy. These two popular options are popular choices for many same-sex couples and people who are infertile or have health issues that make childbearing difficult.

There are a number of similarities between both family-building techniques; they are both fulfilling, transformative experiences that lead to motherhood.

Adoption and surrogacy also differ in a few significant ways. Each prospective parent must weigh these distinctions against their unique set of circumstances. This blog post explains the contrasts, so you may determine which course of action is best for you.

Adoption and Surrogacy

Here are few key distinctions between adoption and surrogacy to aid with your decision-making:

1. ADOPTION AND SURROGACY COSTS ARE DIFFERENT.

During the process of starting a family, whether you choose surrogacy or adoption, you will have to pay for agency fees in addition to legal and medical charges. However, surrogacy can be more expensive than adoption due to the added expenditures associated with reproductive procedures and surrogate pay.

2. THE MATCHING AND SCREENING PROCEDURE ARE DIFFERENT.

Although a lot of adoption programs let adoptive parents set certain requirements for the kinds of adoption chances they accept, the birth mother usually looks through the profiles of several families before deciding which one to adopt her child from.

The matching procedure for surrogates is typically more intimate and reciprocal.  Surrogacy expert will conduct a thorough screening procedure that includes home visits, medical and psychological tests, background checks, and other measures to get to know both parties personally. Next, after carefully choosing possible matches by hand, the skilled surrogacy specialists show each party’s profile one at a time. The surrogacy process will move forward only when both parties express a mutual interest in working together.

3. HOW YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE ADOPTION OR SURROGACY PROCESS MAY DIFFER.

Adoptive parents may not be involved in the majority of the pregnancy, depending on their circumstances and relationship with the expecting mother, and they have limited control over the adoption process. Prospective birth parents are legally free to decide against the adoption at any time during the proceedings. For adoptive parents, this can be unsettling because there are no guarantees about the birth mother’s dedication to the adoption, the birth father’s approval of the adoption, the prenatal care the child is receiving, and other matters.

In contrast, a formal contract that specifies each party’s expectations and responsibility to the infant is in place when surrogacy is involved. There is never any doubt that the surrogate is carrying the child for the intended parents and that she will take care of herself and the unborn child during the pregnancy because this legal agreement is established and signed before to the medical surrogacy process.

4. It’s possible that you and your child are not related genetically.

Being able to tie one or both intended parents biologically to their kid is one benefit of gestational surrogacy. The embryo is created using the intended parents’ eggs and/or sperm and then surgically put into the surrogate’s uterus. For families that have strong feelings about having a genetic kid, surrogacy is a common option because of this biological tie.

Furthermore, biological relationship to the kid might facilitate the legal process and provide intended parents with greater control during pregnancy.

In contrast, an unplanned pregnancy is usually included in adoption, and the child’s biological parent is the birth mother. As a result, the intended parents and their child will not be genetically related. It might also indicate that the birth mother is dealing with more difficult feelings. In certain cases, this can make adoption’s social and legal requirements more onerous than they would be for surrogacy.

5. Legal and medical procedures will vary.

Legally and medically, surrogacy is a complicated procedure. It includes a legally binding agreement that specifies each party’s obligations to the kid as well as a planned pregnancy that is attained through a series of medical treatments. There are typically few surprises in the surrogacy procedure because the majority of the legal work is finished before the baby is born.

Adoption does not necessitate the same legal and medical processes. Rather, the birth parents’ legal permission to the adoption and the court’s granting of custody to the adoptive parents initiate the legal adoption procedure after the infant is born.

When comparing adoption vs. surrogacy, there are a lot of things to take into account. The requirements and conditions of your family, nevertheless, are the most crucial.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Difference Between Adoption And Surrogacy

1. What is adoption?

Adoption is a legal process where individuals or couples become the legal parents of a child who is not biologically their own.

2. What is surrogacy?

Surrogacy involves a woman carrying and giving birth to a child on behalf of another person or couple, usually using the intended parents’ genetic material.

3. How do the processes differ?

Adoption involves gaining legal rights to a child who may or may not be biologically related, while surrogacy typically involves a biological connection between at least one intended parent and the child.

4. What is the role of biological parents in adoption and surrogacy?

In adoption, the biological parents relinquish parental rights. In surrogacy, at least one of the intended parents is usually a biological parent.

5. What are the legal implications?

Adoption results in the transfer of all legal parental rights, while surrogacy often requires legal agreements outlining parental rights and responsibilities.

6. Can adoption involve infants and older children?

Yes, adoption can involve children of various ages, including infants and older children. Surrogacy typically focuses on the birth of a child.

7. Are international options available for both adoption and surrogacy?

Yes, both adoption and surrogacy can have international components, but the legal processes vary by country.

8. What are the emotional considerations for adoptive and intended parents?

Both adoption and surrogacy can be emotionally complex. Adoptive parents may navigate attachment and identity issues, while intended parents in surrogacy may face emotional challenges related to the reproductive process.

9. How do costs compare between adoption and surrogacy?

Costs can vary widely for both adoption and surrogacy. Adoption costs may include legal fees and agency expenses, while surrogacy often involves medical expenses, surrogate compensation, and legal fees.

10. Are there risks associated with each process?

Risks exist in both adoption and surrogacy, such as legal complications, emotional challenges, and unforeseen circumstances. Thorough research and legal guidance are crucial in both cases.

11. Can LGBTQ+ individuals or couples pursue both adoption and surrogacy?

Yes, LGBTQ+ individuals and couples can explore both adoption and surrogacy options to build their families, depending on legal and cultural considerations.