sperm which can then be used to artificially inseminate a biologic carrier who will be the infant’s biological mother.
The infant would then be raised by the expectant couple following delivery. Now through the miracle of in vitro fertilization gestational surrogates can carry the embryo that is the product of eggs from the biological mother and the biological father. The AAP Committee has provided standard guidelines for Assisted Reproductive Technology that assist with the navigation of issues both medical and ethical that surround surrogate pregnancies. [4]
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But creating the baby and monitoring the journey to a successful pregnancy is only half of the battle. The American Bar Association defines parentage n three ways (Biologically, Gestationally and Socially). [5] Thus, motherhood is often viewed through the same lens…though we know that the concept of the experience of motherhood begins before pregnancy and is expounded after delivery.
Once the pregnancy ends and hopefully provides a healthy baby, the intended mother will need to navigate the journey of bonding with baby. One way to navigate and maximize this bond is through the touch.
It is standard of care in non-complicated pregnancies to provide skin-to-skin care between mother and infant as soon as possible after delivery. This is sometimes referred to as “kangaroo care” Kangaroo care has many benefits including promoting temperature regulation for the infant, promoting regulation of glucose control by providing an opportunity for