Alternatives to Surrogacy in Canada 

The surrogacy laws in Canada are strict. So, it is reasonable that there is much consideration for alternatives to surrogacy in Canada for foreigners. Surrogacy is one of the most controversial fertility treatments under assisted reproductive technologies. The involvement of the third party in the process raises many ethical and social questions. However, it is one of the surest ways of providing infertile couples or same-sex couples with a child that is genetically linked with them. Proper research is important in surrogacy, as there are a lot of aspects to consider before deciding to pursue it. It is also important to be aware of the laws guarding surrogacy in the country where it is being done. This is to ensure that the surrogacy is done legally and ethically.

What is surrogacy?

Surrogacy is when a woman who is called a surrogate agrees to carry a pregnancy to term for another person or couple that is called the intended parents. The surrogate delivers the baby and hands it over to the intended parents. They assume parental responsibility and legal parenthood over it. Surrogacy is quite a complex fertility treatment. It requires a lot of preparation by the intended parents before it can be successfully carried out. There are 

• a lot of consultations from professionals in the field, 
• extensive counselling of the surrogate and the intended parents during and after the surrogacy, 
• mental and psychological evaluations 
• medical fitness examinations of all the parties. 

What are the types of surrogacy?

Surrogacy may be altruistic or commercial; it may also be traditional or gestational. In altruistic surrogacy in Canada, the surrogate receives no financial compensation for carrying out the surrogacy. This is the only form of surrogacy that is legal in Canada. In commercial surrogacy, the surrogate agrees to the surrogacy because of the financial reward that is given to her after the surrogacy treatment. 

Meanwhile, in traditional surrogacy, the surrogate gets pregnant using her own eggs through artificial insemination. In gestational surrogacy, the embryo is created using the sperm and eggs from the intended parents. The embryo is grown for a few days and transferred to the uterus of the surrogate. She then carries the pregnancy to term and delivers. The main difference between the traditional and gestational types of surrogacy is the presence of a genetic or biological relationship between the surrogate and the baby that is present in the traditional surrogacy and not in the gestational surrogacy.

What are the alternatives to surrogacy in Canada for foreigners?

Since surrogacy is quite controversial, it has been carefully regulated and, in some cases, even banned in some countries. Countries like Georgia have banned or restricted access by foreigners to fertility treatments like surrogacy and egg donations. In Canada, commercial surrogacy is illegal; only altruistic surrogacy can be done. When surrogacy is impossible, too costly or unethical for a couple or an individual, it does not mean that their quest for a child should end. Some alternatives can be sought after when surrogacy is out of the option. Some of them include:

Adoption 

This is one of the most common alternatives to surrogacy. It is the legal process where an individual or a couple become the legal parents of a child that is not biologically related to them. Adoption can be domestic or international. Adopting a child within the same nation is known as domestic adoption, and it is very simple. The process of adopting a child from abroad is known as international adoption. It requires navigating through the legal requirements of both the home country of the adopter and the adopted child’s country of origin. 

Adoption can be considered cheaper than surrogacy. It does not require the complex medical procedures that are done in surrogacy. The legal proceedings are also straightforward, except in the case of international adoption. However, there is no biological relationship with the child which is where the couple may not be satisfied. The surrogacy matching process also tends to be more mutual and personal as opposed to many adoption programs. These allow adoptive parents to specify certain criteria about the types of adoption opportunities they are open to.

Uterus transplantation 

This is due to advancements in medical science and technology, and it may prove to be a viable alternative to surrogacy. This may be an alternative to the currently available treatments for absolute uterine factor infertility. Clinical researchers speculate that this treatment might improve clinical methods that offer better results than the other two established solutions in surrogacy and adoption. The process may also be superior to surrogacy as it allows the woman to carry out her pregnancy and experience the fulfilment of motherhood by herself. Ethical and legal controversies that surround surrogacy are also less when compared to uterus transplantation. Also, the chances of fraud cases that may be associated with surrogacy are negligible. However, uterus transplantation requires living donors and also creates surgery risks, transplantation failure risks and surgical complications that may arise.

Egg donation with IVF 

Egg donation may be an alternative to surrogacy in Canada, especially for women whose reason for infertility is low quality or no eggs. The eggs are usually obtained from donors or through surrogacy agencies. After they have been harvested, they are then fertilized using IVF methods. The embryo is then grown in the lab for a few days and may undergo tests for viability. The embryo is then transplanted to the uterus of the woman in question, just like in surrogacy. The woman then carries the pregnancy to term and delivers the baby.

This alternative to surrogacy is, in principle, just like uterus transplantation. It affords the woman a chance to experience her pregnancy and experience the joy of bringing a child into the world by herself. Also, there are not many controversies surrounding egg donation. The process may also be much cheaper than surrogacy; another advantage. Egg donation comes with its risks, like fertilization failure, deformities in the embryos, miscarriages, and the rest. 

Summary

It is important to conduct enough research before deciding on the way to pursue solutions to an issue like infertility. This is necessary when considering the pros and cons of surrogacy in Canada. The surrogacy laws in Canada are properly regulated because of the altruistic surrogacy practices in Canada. Therefore, the need for alternatives to surrogacy in Canada for foreigners arises. The couple should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each procedure before deciding on the one to go for. It will save them a lot of issues that could arise with a lack of good information.