Later marriage and remarriage have contributed to a growing number of couples trying to have children at an older age. Many families wait until they are financially and emotionally ready, only to discover that their reproductive potential is no longer what it once was.
In these circumstances, some couples begin exploring overseas assisted reproductive options. Both IVF and surrogacy may be considered depending on the medical situation. To help readers better understand this pathway, Jiabao Libao takes a closer look at an important question: Why do some older couples consider overseas surrogacy?
1. To Reduce the Health Risks of Carrying a Pregnancy
As women get older, the risks associated with pregnancy may change depending on age and overall health. These can include conditions such as gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and other pregnancy-related complications.
If a doctor determines that carrying a pregnancy would pose a significant health risk to the intended mother, gestational surrogacy may allow a medically screened carrier to carry the pregnancy instead.
This can reduce the physical burden of pregnancy on the intended mother while still allowing the family to pursue parenthood.
2. To Continue Using Embryos Created From Both Partners
For some older women, the main difficulty lies in carrying a pregnancy rather than producing eggs.
If the woman is still able to retrieve viable eggs and the male partner has suitable sperm, embryos can be created through IVF using both partners’ genetic material.
If the intended mother is later determined to be medically unsuitable for pregnancy, the embryos may, where legally permitted, be transferred to a gestational carrier.
This approach allows ovarian function and the ability to carry a pregnancy to be evaluated and managed separately.
3. To Reduce the Physical Burden of Repeated Treatment Attempts
Repeated fertility treatment can place a real physical burden on older women. Ovarian stimulation involves hormone injections and monitoring, while egg retrieval requires a medical procedure. Repeated treatment cycles can also be physically and emotionally demanding.
In some circumstances, families may already have frozen embryos or may consider donor eggs, which can reduce the need for additional ovarian stimulation cycles.
If a gestational carrier is medically and legally appropriate, the pregnancy itself can then be carried by another woman, allowing the intended mother to avoid the physical demands of pregnancy.
Overall, the main reasons older couples consider overseas surrogacy are medical safety, reproductive feasibility, and the ability to reduce the physical burden associated with pregnancy and repeated treatment.
The appropriate pathway depends on ovarian reserve, embryo quality, uterine condition, general health, and the legal requirements of the destination country.
If you are considering overseas surrogacy, you can contact us for more information. We can explain the available options based on your individual circumstances and help you better understand which reproductive pathway may be appropriate for your family.
