Knowledge is power, so we’re debunking the top three surrogacy myths If you’re like most intended parents who are starting their surrogacy journeys, gestational surrogacy isn’t something that’s familiar to you. And when something is unfamiliar to us, it’s common to have some misconceptions about it. That’s why so many surrogacy myths have endured over the years. The Center for Surrogate Parenting wants to educate intended parents about this beautiful family-building option. That’s why our team is debunking three of the most common surrogacy myths that we’ve heard during our 40-year history of creating families. Myth 1: A friend or family member can carry my baby for me We’ve all heard heartwarming stories in the news and on TV shows about couples who were able to welcome a baby this way. These stories can make it seem like it’s a good idea to ask someone you know to carry your baby. However, this is one of the most common surrogacy myths. Relying on a friend or family member to carry your baby can often lead to unforeseen issues. For example, the generous woman you select to help you create your family might not be qualified. When you partner with a reputable surrogacy agency like the Center for Surrogate Parenting, you’ll only have the option of working with highly qualified gestational surrogates. All our surrogates have undergone comprehensive screening to assess their physical, psychological and reproductive health. These surrogates and their partners have also passed background checks. As a result, you can have peace of mind that your chosen surrogate is both willing and able to help make your dream of parenthood come true. Myth 2: A surrogate will try to take my baby In addition to the touching stories about family members and friends serving as surrogates, we sometimes hear horror stories about surrogates “running away” with babies. This is a terrifying thought for intended parents who are trusting someone else with their precious child. However, the history of surrogacy shows that this isn’t something you need to worry about. In the history of gestational surrogacy in the United States, there have been about 23,000 agreements made through reputable surrogacy agencies. Out of all these surrogacy agreements, only about 26 surrogates have tried to avoid giving the baby to his or her parents. And at the Center for Surrogate Parenting, this has never happened. This is because we ensure that all our surrogates understand that they will nurture a baby during pregnancy, but they will not parent the child or have legal parental rights. Speaking of parental rights, having a reproductive law attorney draft a surrogacy agreement before proceeding with the process can help protect your rights. Our surrogacy agency works with an experienced reproductive law attorney who can draft your surrogacy agreement and help you understand the surrogacy laws in your state or country. Myth 3: I won’t be able to bond with my baby Our society has grown to understand the importance of the emotional bond between an infant and his or her parents. However, awareness of this critical and special bond has also led people to believe that surrogacy makes it harder to bond with a baby. Research has shown that nurturing your baby after birth is more important to the bonding process than physically carrying the child. Once your surrogate delivers your baby, this precious child will be placed in your arms. And because intended parents are involved in every step of the surrogacy process, they often report feeling an instant connection to their newborn. There is no reason to think that you’ll feel any differently when you’re holding your baby for the first time. Take the next step to learn more about gestational surrogacy Now that you’re able to separate surrogacy fact from fiction, we invite you to take the next step and contact us to learn more. The Center for Surrogate Parenting is here to answer all your questions about creating your family with help from our team and a generous surrogate.