When is the Right Time to Opt for Surrogacy?

When Nigerian singer Ife Dang recently opened up about her decision to become a mother through surrogacy, citing body autonomy and that you do not have to have any health complications before you embrace surrogacy, social media erupted in all directions, some agreed with her while others did not.

Others criticized her choice. But beyond the noise, her story brought one thing into focus, surrogacy is no longer an unfamiliar word whispered behind closed doors. 

It’s a real, valid path to parenthood that more people are exploring, especially in a world where medical possibilities and social realities are constantly evolving.

So, when is the right time to consider surrogacy? The answer isn’t as simple as a calendar date or a checklist. It’s deeply personal. However, there are specific medical and emotional circumstances under which surrogacy becomes more than just an option, it becomes a lifeline.

After Multiple Failed IVF Treatments

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has brought joy to countless families, but it doesn’t always guarantee success. Even with the help of advanced assisted reproductive technologies like ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), or laser-assisted hatching, some couples experience repeated IVF failures. 

For those who have walked this road multiple times with no success, surrogacy becomes a hopeful alternative, one that still allows them to have a biological child.

In cases of hysterectomy

A hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus is often a necessary treatment for serious medical conditions like cancer, chronic fibroids, or uncontrollable bleeding. 

While this procedure saves lives, it also closes the door to carrying a pregnancy. For women in this situation, surrogacy provides a way to still have a child genetically connected to them, using their eggs and their partner’s sperm.

When there’s a high risk of genetic disorders

Some couples carry genes that increase the risk of passing on serious hereditary conditions such as Down syndrome, sickle-cell anemia, or Alzheimer’s disease. 

These conditions fall under various categories like chromosomal abnormalities, single-gene defects, and multifactorial disorders. If genetic screening reveals a high likelihood of transmitting these conditions, some couples choose surrogacy to reduce the risk of passing on the disorder especially when combined with embryo screening.

In the face of unexplained infertility

One of the most frustrating diagnoses a couple can receive is “unexplained infertility.” When medical experts can’t identify the reason for failed pregnancies, even after several treatments and evaluations, the uncertainty can be emotionally exhausting. 

Surrogacy becomes a practical option when repeated ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) attempts lead nowhere.

After repeated miscarriages

Few things are as devastating as a miscarriage. But when it happens repeatedly, it can drain a couple emotionally and physically. In such cases, surrogacy may offer a path forward. 

Fertility specialists can retrieve eggs from the woman, fertilize them with her partner’s sperm, and transfer the embryo into a healthy surrogate. 

This allows the couple to become parents, even if the mother’s body can no longer support a pregnancy.