Traditional Surrogacy – Episode 49 of the Surrogacy Podcast, another Khale Series episode with Katrina Hale. You might think traditional surrogacy is just a cheaper and easier method than gestational surrogacy, but the truth is that it is more potentially more complex and involves other factors that should be given consideration before proceeding.

In this episode, Katrina and I discuss the most awkward aspects of traditional surrogacy – home inseminations. If you’ve ever wondered how it all works, what the surrogate’s partner thinks about it, whether the parties are intimate with each other – yep, we cover it all. You can also ready my article about turkey basters and conceiving at home.

Many women would consider being a gestational surrogate, but cannot fathom being a traditional surrogate – they can envision carrying the baby for intended parents, but not if the baby is from their own egg. For those of us who do proceed with a traditional surrogacy arrangement, it is both rewarding and enriching, but also complex and sometimes complicated – and not because ‘giving away’ the baby is more difficult, as some may assume. Relationships between the surrogate family and intended parents can be amazing – and complex. The surrogate is the birth mother, and genetic mother – unlike in gestational surrogacy arrangements. If you are considering traditional surrogacy, you can read more here, and I recommend all parties seek pre-surrogacy counselling with Katrina or another experienced surrogacy counsellor. You will also need to check how traditional surrogacy is managed in your State.

You can read my reflections on the first year after giving birth as a traditional surrogate, and also on my reflections as an egg donor. Other information, including interviews on the Podcast, about traditional surrogacy can be found here.

Remember, that even if you do not engage with an IVF clinic and want to pursue traditional surrogacy, it’s not surrogacy unless you’ve done the pre-conception counselling and legal advice.  I’ve seen several so-called traditional surrogacy cases that have not satisfied the pre-conception criteria and they often fall foul of the law and things do not go smoothly – one of those stories is Anne’s story.

You can find more information in the free Surrogacy Handbook, reading articles in the Blog, by listening to more episodes of the Surrogacy Podcast. You can also book in for a consult with me below, and check out the legal services I provide.