Infertility is a problem that hits home to a lot of couples struggling to conceive. The condition can be very troubling and stressful, which may actually further inhibit a couple's chances of getting pregnant. Fortunately, certain procedures and services are available that have helped infertile couples conceive through the use of a surrogate carrier. There are two forms of surrogacy and those interested are encouraged to learn as much as they can about each.

Traditional surrogacy involves a surrogate carrier who carries a child conceived from sperm from the male partner and eggs from the surrogate carrier or donor eggs. Either intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization is used in this form of surrogacy. In this case, the child is biologically related to the surrogate-carrier, unless donor eggs are used. This type of surrogacy may be used if the female partner has no eggs or unhealthy eggs. Gay couples may also find this procedure helpful.

However, the majority of surrogacy procedures today use eggs from the female partner and sperm from the male partner to form an embryo that is transferred into the uterus of a surrogate carrier. In vitro fertilization is used to perform this procedure. In this case, the surrogate carrier is not biologically related to the child. This form of surrogacy is called gestational surrogacy.

Those considered candidates for gestational surrogacy include women having trouble conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term, women with an abnormality in the uterine lining, women who have had a hysterectomy, women older than 45, women with cardiovascular disease or renal disease that may make pregnancy difficult and couples with unexplained infertility.

The first step in this process is for the couple to find a surrogate they approve of through fertility clinics, websites, lawyers, private agencies, etc. They must then draw up all legal documents before the procedure begins. This is intended to protect the rights and responsibilities of both the surrogate carrier and the parents. Screenings must then take place of the couple and the surrogate. Fertility drugs may be prescribed to increase egg production. Once eggs are extracted and fertilized, they are transferred to the uterus of the surrogate carrier.

The carrier is monitored throughout the pregnancy and pregnancy-related expenses are usually paid for by the parents. This information will be included in the legal documents. The cost of surrogacy may range from $20,000 to $120,000 depending on a number of factors. Once the child is born, the surrogate carrier releases the child to the parents.