Difference Between Surrogate and Gestational Carrier

Main Difference – Surrogate vs Gestational Carrier

Surrogate and gestational carrier are two types of mothers who carry embryos of another individual or couple. This process is called surrogacy. Gestational carrier carries another couple’s fertilized embryo. Therefore, the gestational carrier does not donate her own egg cell to the baby. On the contrary, surrogate carrier donates her egg for fertilization. She carries the fertilized embryo as well. The main difference between surrogate and gestational carrier is that surrogate carrier is genetically linked to the baby whereas gestational carrier is not genetically linked to the baby. The real parents, who donate egg cell and sperms are called “intended parents”. 

Key Areas Covered

1. Who is a Surrogate Carrier
     – Definition, Egg Cell, Placement of the Embryo
2. Who is a Gestational Carrier
     – Definition, Egg Cell, Placement of the Embryo
3. What are the Similarities Between Surrogate and Gestational Carrier
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Surrogate and Gestational Carrier
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms: Egg Cells, Embryo, Intended Parents, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Gestational Carrier, Sperms, Surrogate Carrier, Traditional Surrogacy

Who is a Surrogate Carrier

Surrogate carrier refers to a biological mother of the baby, who donates the egg cell to be fertilized by the intended father’s sperm. This condition is called the traditional surrogacy since the egg cell is given by the surrogate carrier. Sperms can be taken from the intended father or from a sperm donor. Since the egg cell comes from the surrogate carrier mother, the baby is genetically related to the surrogate mother. Surrogate carrier gets pregnant by artificial insemination (AI). The artificial insemination process is shown in figure 1.

Figure 1: Artificial Insemination

The surrogate carrier should have to hand over the child to the intended parents according to the legal agreement established prior to the start of the process.

Who is a Gestational Carrier

Gestational carrier refers to a mother, who is placed with a fertilized egg of the intended mother. Since gestational carrier does not donate an egg cell for the fertilization, she is not genetically related to the baby. Both egg cell and sperms are taken from the intended parents. Therefore, gestational carrier mother only carries the baby. The placement of the embryo is done by IVF.   

Figure 2: IFV

Any female whose uterus was removed due to fibroids, hysterectomy, severe endometriosis or cervical or uterine cancer or whose uterus is not functional can use another woman as a gestational carrier. Traditional surrogate carriers were used until the development of the IVF technology. The gestational carrier was introduced in the 1990s after the introduction of the IVF technology.

Similarities Between Surrogate and Gestational Carrier

• Both surrogate and gestational carriers serve as mothers of the intended parent’s embryos.
• The sperms for the process come from known or unknown sperm donor in both surrogate and gestational

Difference Between Surrogate and Gestational Carrier

Definition

Surrogate Carrier: Surrogate carrier refers to a biological mother of the baby who donates the egg cell to be fertilized by the intended father’s sperm.

Gestational Carrier: Gestational carrier refers to a mother who is placed with a fertilized egg of the intended mother.

Egg Cell

Surrogate Carrier: Surrogate carrier donates her egg cell from the embryo.

Gestational Carrier: Gestational carrier carries another couple’s fertilized embryo.

Genetic Relationship

Surrogate Carrier: The surrogate carrier is genetically related to the baby.

Gestational Carrier: The gestational carrier is not genetically related to the baby.

Pregnancy Method

Surrogate Carrier: Surrogate carrier gets pregnant by artificial insemination (AI). 

Gestational Carrier: Gestational carrier gets pregnant by In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

Conclusion

Surrogacy is a type of associated reproductive technology in which a woman carries a child through pregnancy for another individual or couple. It is important when a real mother is unable to carry a baby. The two types of mothers involved in the surrogacy are the surrogate carrier and gestational carrier. Surrogate carrier donates her egg cell to the embryo. Therefore, she is genetically related to the baby. But the gestational carrier is placed by a fertilized embryo of a separate couple. Therefore, she is not genetically related to the baby. The main difference between surrogate and gestational carrier is the type of relationship between mother and baby.

Reference:

1. “Surrogacy.” Fertility Authority, Available here.
2. “Gestational carriers (Surrogacy).” BabyCenter, 25 Aug. 2015, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “IUI” By BruceBlaus – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “2902 IVF-02” By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site, Jun 19, 2013. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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