When it comes to growing your family, there are many different paths you can take. Some people choose Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to achieve pregnancy through options like artificial insemination, IVF, fertility procedures, or surrogacy. So, what exactly might Assisted Reproductive Technology entail?

In Vitro Fertilization

The CDC has reported that about 4 million births in the U.S. are from IVF every year. This option has become more common in recent years, and it is often an option for people who are struggling to conceive. There are many reasons someone might choose to pursue IVF, and there are different ways to approach this path. Some people might choose to use a sperm donor or an egg donor. In these cases, it’s important to work with an experienced attorney who can draft egg donation and sperm donation agreements. This will clarify the process and provide the best protection possible to all of the parties involved.

Traditional Surrogacy

There are two different types of surrogacy. Traditional surrogacy involves a surrogate who uses her own egg to be inseminated by the intended father or by a sperm donor. In these cases, the surrogate will relinquish her parental rights through adoption.  That way, the parents can gain legal rights to the child. This will involve a legal contract so that all parties can move forward with clarity after the birth.

Gestational Surrogacy 

This type of surrogacy includes a carrier who has an embryo that includes the intended mother’s egg and the intended father’s sperm or a donor’s sperm.  It’s important to work with an attorney who specializes in surrogacy and adoption in the state of Indiana. Throughout this process, a specialized adoption attorney will work with all parties involved to help finalize the child’s legal parents on the initial birth certificate. Our team regularly drafts gestational surrogacy agreements as well as obtains prebirth orders to meet the wishes of all parties involved.

General Fertility Procedures

If you feel that you need to take a different approach to conceiving a child, there are typically general fertility procedures that can increase your chances of having a successful pregnancy. It’s important to work with a specialist who understands your challenges and has worked with people in your exact situation before. If you have any questions about the legal matters in using (ART) to grow your family, please reach out to our office.

Our team works with families who choose reproductive technology options every day, and we know that every situation is different. If you decide to take the path of using an egg donor, sperm donor, embryo donor or gestational surrogate, it is important to work with an experienced attorney who understands the current landscape for these services in Indiana.