What Precautions Should a Surrogate Mother in USA take during her Surrogacy Journey?

Being a surrogate mother in USA, you are never too sure whether the majority of your pre-surrogacy preparations will go well. On the other side, you are skeptical about a lot of things on your way through.

But just like with any other pregnancy, it’s crucial to prepare for any potential medical issues that might develop during surrogacy in USA. If ignored, you might run into more challenges during conception or after the pregnancy.

How to go about the Pre-Pregnancy period?

Surrogate mother in USA may be given fertility medications to help their bodies accept the embryo. Hot flashes, multiple pregnancy, visual impairment, cervical mucus abnormalities, and luteal phase deficiency are examples of common side effects of fertility medications (or improper development of the uterine lining, which can make it difficult for the baby to attach). Additionally, you run the risk of developing an infection at the injection site or having an allergic reaction to any IVF procedures you have.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a less frequent but potentially serious side effect of fertility drugs, can range in severity from mild to severe. Bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and slight weight gain are less severe symptoms. Moreover, shortness of breath, pleural effusion (fluid buildup between the lungs and chest), cessation of urination, and severe abdominal pain are symptoms of more severe cases.

Besides, non-medical complications could also arise. If you’re a citizen of the United States opting for surrogacy in USA, make sure to find out whether surrogacy is legal in your state so you can find out what rights IPs and surrogates have.

Precautions to take While Pregnant

Although you will have gone through the surrogacy screening and evaluation process to ensure your psychological and medical welfare, pregnancy carries some inherent medical risks.

Nevertheless, there might be a few pregnancy risks unique to surrogacy in USA. Moreover, you have a good chance of having multiples, which carries risks like early labor or babies with low birth weight. Besides, you run the risk of developing gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and placental abruption as the surrogate. Ectopic pregnancy, in which the embryo implants outside of the uterus, is also a possibility but is uncommon.

Precautions to take Post-Pregnancy

After the baby (or babies) are safely delivered into the world and placed in the arms of their IPs, the postpartum recovery is the same as it would be for a regular pregnancy. This should be both anticipated and familiar since one requirement of surrogate mother in USA is that they have already experienced one pregnancy.

You could experience a variety of short- and long-term symptoms, similar to any other pregnancy, such as postpartum infections, excessive bleeding, perineal pain, vaginal discharge, hair loss, or stretch marks, among other possible conditions.

Besides, if a surrogate has developed a close emotional bond with the child they are carrying, they may occasionally experience depression during or after pregnancy. Reach out for expert counseling if you think you might be experiencing PTSD-related symptoms to decide the best course of action.

How to avoid complications during surrogacy in USA?

Talk to your doctor about any discomfort or unusual side effects you may be experiencing to rule out any potential medical complications. Inform the IPs of any medical issues you may be having and keep them updated. That said, it is your duty to inform them of the condition of their unborn child. Most likely, they’ll attend any and all doctor’s appointments.

In addition to any fertility treatments or other procedures you might need to undergo as a surrogate mother in USA, you should keep up a healthy eating routine that ensures both your physical health and the baby’s nutritional needs are met.

Final words

Your network of emotional support will be one of your surrogate’s most useful resources. Don’t be afraid to ask for emotional support from your friends, family, and, if necessary, the IPs during your surrogacy journey. That said, addressing your emotions directly and early is the best way to prepare for or combat negative emotions during pregnancy.