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Opting for surrogacy as a single mother at the age of 40 can evoke a range of emotions and experiences. While each individual’s journey is unique, there are common aspects that single women may encounter during the process.

On the other hand, surrogacy for singles in the USA is duly supported by the legal framework in the country. Still, one must know that surrogacy laws in the USA vary on state to state basis. So, regardless of whether you are searching for the best surrogacy for singles or surrogacy or gay couples in the country, you have to stay cautious and clear with your choices. That said, we explore some potential feelings and experiences that can arise during single-parent surrogacy for a female aged 40 years.

Surrogacy for Singles

Hope and Excitement

Choosing surrogacy for singles as a single mother at 40 may come after a long and challenging journey to conceive. That said, the decision to pursue surrogacy often brings a renewed sense of hope and excitement. So, being a single mother, you could sense that much-awaited joy in your own arms for the rest of your life. Moreover, it represents an opportunity to fulfil the desire for motherhood and experience the joys of raising a child.

Empowerment

Opting for surrogacy for singles can be a profoundly empowering choice for a single mother aged 40 years. Besides, it allows women to take control of their reproductive journey, regardless of their relationship status or age. Also, it reflects a commitment to building a family on their own terms and embracing the challenges and rewards that come with it.

Emotional Rollercoaster

 The surrogacy process can be emotionally intense, regardless of one’s marital status or age. Moreover, for single mothers at 40, there may be added layers of emotions related to their age and the unique circumstances of their journey. That said, it is common to experience a mix of excitement, anxiety, and anticipation throughout the process.

Financial Considerations

 Regardless of whether you are pursuing single-parent surrogacy in USA or surrogacy for singles in Argentina, it may come as a significant financial commitment. Moreover, single mothers may need to carefully consider the financial aspects involved.

That said, funding the surrogacy journey, including medical procedures, legal expenses, and compensating the surrogate, can be a challenge. Also, single mothers may need to plan and budget accordingly to ensure they can provide the necessary support for themselves and their children.

Building a Support System

 Building a strong support system is crucial for single mothers undergoing surrogacy in the USA or any other country. Additionally, emotional support from family, friends, and professionals can help navigate the various stages of the process. That said, joining support groups or seeking counselling services specifically tailored to single mothers by choice can provide invaluable guidance and camaraderie.

Facing Judgment and Societal Perceptions

Single women who choose surrogacy at an older age may face societal judgments and misconceptions. Besides, some may question the ability of a single mother to provide a stable and nurturing environment for a child. Hence, it is important to develop resilience and surround oneself with a supportive network that understands and respects the decision made.

On the other hand, she need not pay much heed to all such misconceptions and social judgments at the same time. They must know that surrogacy is a godsend to them and they have been blessed with the most awaited happiness of their life.

Bonding with the Child

 The journey of surrogacy offers an opportunity for single mothers to develop a unique bond with their children. During the pregnancy, participating in ultrasound appointments, attending medical check-ups, and maintaining open communication with the surrogate can help foster a connection with the baby. Moreover, after birth, single mothers have the opportunity to develop a strong and loving relationship with their children, regardless of the method of conception.

Ultimately, choosing surrogacy as a single mother at the age of 40 can be a transformative and rewarding experience. While it may come with its own set of challenges and emotions, it also presents an opportunity for personal growth, resilience, and the fulfilment of the desire to become a parent. Building a strong support system and embracing the journey with an open heart can contribute to a positive and fulfilling experience as a single mother through surrogacy.

How to choose a sperm donor during single-parent surrogacy?

Being a female opting for a sperm donor during single-parent surrogacy is a crucial decision to make. Hence, you must consider the following factors before making a key decision in the same regard.

Personal expectations: Being an intended mother, you may come with certain expectations from the sperm donor in regard to his character, background, health and so on. So, it’s really important to make a list beforehand as you kick-start your search for the best-suited sperm donor.

Health and Medical History: It is really important to analyse the physical and mental health of the sperm donor. This is because the health of the donor is going to eventually impact the health of your future child.

Genetic Compatibility: You may also look for likewise genetic traits in the sperm donor. While doing that, make sure you have scrutinized his medical records and background. In order to find the right fit, always consult with the best medical expert in your area.

Reviewing Donor’s Profile: You must further review the donor profile made available by the sperm bank or agency. This may include details regarding his height, weight, key characteristics, medical background and related details. Take time to consider how important these factors are to you and whether they align with your preferences and aspirations for your child.

Anonymity vs. Identity Disclosure: Decide whether you prefer an anonymous donor or one who is open to a potential contact in the future. Moreover, some sperm banks offer the option for donors to agree to identity disclosure once the child reaches a certain age. Hence, consider the potential emotional and legal implications of anonymity or disclosure and determine which option is best suited to your family’s needs and desires.

Donor’s Motivations: Explore the donor’s motivations for becoming a sperm donor. Some donors may have personal reasons or a desire to help others, while others may be primarily motivated by financial compensation. Hence, understanding the donor’s motivations can provide insight into their commitment to the process and their level of responsibility during surrogacy for singles.

Professional Assistance and Guidance: Seek guidance from professionals in the field of assisted reproductive technologies. Moreover, consult with fertility specialists, reproductive endocrinologists, or counsellors who can provide expert advice based on your specific circumstances and help you navigate the process of choosing a sperm donor.

Final words

No matter whether you are looking for a surrogacy agency for singles or a sperm donor bank, do remember that it is a highly personal decision. Hence, take the time to reflect, ask questions, and seek professional advice to ensure that your choice aligns with your values, preferences, and aspirations for your future child.

Surrogacy in Thailand for foreigners used to be the most preferred alternative among medical tourists a few years back. Moreover, due to its expertise in gender affirmation surgery and later cosmetic surgery, Thailand became the centre point for medical tourism as early as the 1970s.

Also, Thailand became a leading Asian country in the global medical tourism industry, alongside India, Malaysia, and Singapore, after the privatization of its healthcare system in the late 1990s. This was made possible by “a Thai way” of excellent service and medical knowledge.

Furthermore, Thailand has a reputation for having cutting-edge knowledge in reproductive technology thanks to the 1987 birth of “Mung Ming,” the nation’s first dek lord kaew (Test tube child) baby, who was conceived via IVF at Chulalongkorn Hospital. As it was connected to thansamai (modernity), nationalistic pride in Thai science and medicine, as well as Buddhist beliefs and the elevating of procreation and the birth of new life, assisted reproduction was quickly accepted by Thai society.

How has Gestational surrogacy thrived in Thailand in the past?

The first gestational surrogacy arrangement utilizing IVF happened at the same prestigious hospital in Bangkok in 1991, just four years after “Mung Ming” was born. Up until that point, surrogacy in Thailand for foreigners had only been an altruistic, familial activity shared by sisters and other close relatives. However, thanks to new technology that allowed for the separation of genetics and gestation, surrogacy may now also be commercialized in Thailand.

 

As Thailand became a top destination for reproductive tourism in the early 2000s, with an increase in clinics offering ART treatment to both Thais and foreigners, what had initially been a quiet business with little publicity grew. Besides, Thailand’s advanced medical and hospital services, expertise in ART, and reasonably priced prices when compared to the United States and Europe are all contributing factors to the country’s rising popularity as a location for reproductive services. Moreover, the nation’s tourism industry is also well established, making it a “safe” and alluring location for medical travel.

Surrogacy regulations prior to the 2015 ban in Thailand

Surrogacy agreements were not clearly regulated by Thai law prior to 2015, and commercial surrogacy was neither permitted nor prohibited. However, the police’s arrest of the Taiwanese brokering firm “Baby 101” in Bangkok in February 2010 brought to light the need for ART legislation.

In order to deliver babies to foreign clients for payment, they had locked up 15 Vietnamese women who had been trafficked. Eventually, the Thai Cabinet approved the draft ART Bill number 167/2553, which forbade commercial surrogacy, in May 2010, but the National Assembly did not ratify it because of the political unrest of the time.

On the other side, due to the legal ambiguity surrounding commercial surrogacy, third-party reproduction could continue to be commercialized. Besides, the number of foreigners travelling to Thailand for IVF and surrogacy services increased significantly between 2010 and 2014, leading to the establishment of a number of new private clinics and surrogacy agencies in Bangkok. Up until 2015, hundreds of surrogate births were reportedly performed annually in Thailand, according to officials. Also, many male gay couples and single men seeking reproductive services turned to Thailand, which was promoted by a number of surrogacy agencies as offering “gay-friendly” services, after new surrogacy regulations in India were implemented in January 2013 and restricted access to married heterosexual couples only.

However, in August 2014, there were two additional significant surrogacy scandals that brought international attention to Thailand’s surrogacy industry and resulted in the termination of transnational surrogacy contracts. The “Baby Gammy” case came first. According to reports, David and Wendy Farnell, who are from Australia, abandoned a baby boy with Down syndrome in Thailand.

How did Baby Gammy’s case prove to be a roadblock for Thailand surrogacy?

In the Thai media, Gammy’s Thai surrogate mother, 21-year-old Pattharamon Chanbua, explained that she needed financial assistance to pay for Gammy’s medical expenses. So, in order to pay off family debts, Chanbua, a mother of two, agreed to act as a surrogate mother. Besides, she had been promised about 350,000 (roughly €8,400 at the time).

Moreover, she was soon found to be expecting twins, and several months into the pregnancy it was learned that one of the children had Down syndrome. Chanbua claims that the intended parents pressured her into having an abortion, but the Farnells and the agency both denied this, and Chanbua refused because of her Buddhist beliefs. Following the birth of the twins, the intended parents returned to Australia with Gammy’s sister, who did not have Down syndrome, leaving Gammy in the care of Chanbua and her family.

Further research revealed that David Farnell had previously been found guilty of 22 instances of sexual assault against girls under the age of 13 in the 1980s and had received a total prison term of four and a half years.

This raised concerns about Gammy’s sister’s safety and sparked a contentious debate about surrogacy not only in Thailand and Australia but also globally. The media condemned the couple and demanded that commercial surrogacy be outlawed. Despite what the surrogate mother and the media claimed, the Farnells did not intentionally abandon Gammy, according to the Australian court’s investigation.

The Baby Factory case further worsened the situation for surrogacy in Thailand for Foreigners!

A few weeks later, the “baby factory” case—the second prominent surrogacy scandal—made headlines. As news of Baby Gammy’s case spread, Thai police got a tip that led to a raid on an upscale Bangkok apartment.

There, they discovered nine surrogate children (ranging in age from two weeks to two years), seven nannies, and a pregnant surrogate mother.

Moreover, the apartment was associated with Mitsutoki Shigeta, 24, the son of a Japanese billionaire, who was initially under investigation for child trafficking and child exploitation but was never charged with any crime. Besides, four sets of twins were among the 13 children that Shigeta had paid for to be carried by a surrogate in Thailand.

Also, he had previously been given custody of four surrogate children and had fathered 17 children in Thailand through surrogacy. In addition to having two children via surrogacy in India, Shigeta allegedly “wanted a big family”.

It was not illegal at the time to have many children through surrogacy, but it did show how “the industry lacked accountability or any means of monitoring how many surrogates were being used by any one individual.

How did these instances put a halt to all types of surrogacy in Thailand?

These cases took place as Thailand was experiencing political unrest. The NPOC launched a campaign against commercial surrogacy in response to the Baby Gammy and Shigeta cases and the international criticism of Thailand’s unregulated surrogacy market, closing 12 clinics, publicly apprehending doctors involved in surrogacy, and forbidding foreigners from leaving the country with children born through surrogacy in Thailand. After that, the NPOC amended and resurrected the 2010 draft ART Bill, which went into effect in July 2015. That said, the 2015 bill restricts eligibility for surrogacy to non-commercial arrangements, forbids intermediaries or brokers for surrogacy arrangements, and limits surrogacy to only the local Thai citizens subject to fulfilment of certain criteria.

Making your first move towards surrogacy in the USA does require some deep thinking. Especially, if you are an intended parent who has tried and tested every other method to achieve parenthood in the past without any success, you will surely be surrounded by a lot of doubts and questions.

That said, it is always advisable to get in touch with a renowned surrogacy agency in USA to get the best and most appropriate answers to all such questions. Moreover, you can go ahead with your own research and analysis in the same regard while referring to the below-mentioned points regarding surrogacy in the USA.