INSIDE: Many women are struggling to conceive or carry a child, and if you are a young woman in good health, you can help! Learn about the details, as well as the emotional and financial rewards of egg donation and surrogacy.

There are many families who wish to have children, but can’t physically make it happen. Some are the 1 out of 8 couples who experience infertility, and others are the women who can’t carry or birth a baby.

This is where the miracle of egg donation or surrogacy comes in. Egg donation allows women with fertile eggs to donate to other women who aren’t able to conceive. Surrogacy involves carrying a child to full term for a mother who can’t.

Whether you’re on the giving or receiving end of this beautiful exchange, here are some things to know before you invest in the process.

This is a big decision! Let’s look at the options in more detail…

Egg donation is an easier and less invasive way to contribute to a family’s expansion, but it can be more complicated than simply removing eggs from the ovaries.

The timeline can begin months in advance, starting with a test to check on the viability of your eggs. Then comes birth control pills for regulation, self-administered hormone injections, and ultrasound appointments and medical monitoring.

All of these actions lead up to the big moment of egg retrieval, which is usually a minor surgical procedure that requires a bit of recovery time.

There are certain requirements that you have to meet to become an egg donor, including age, weight, reproductive and physical health, and a substance-free lifestyle. But once you’re approved, it can be a a life-changing experience and a way to make extra income.

If you donate through an egg donation center, you’ll be able to make several thousand dollars for each round, but you can earn more compensation in a private donation. Many couples are looking for the best match, and some are willing to pay more for someone who fits their criteria.

If you’re willing to give more than just your eggs, consider giving the gift of birth to a family through surrogacy.

Gestational surrogacy is when a woman carries a baby that she has no genetic link to, and it has become a popular form of childbirth for families who cannot bear children on their own. In fact, from 2004-08, the use of gestational surrogacy increased by 89 percent!

Women who decide to become a surrogate must first meet a list of criteria that usually includes having given birth at least once, being free of substances, and having a BMI between 19-33. If you match this criteria, you can move on to the medical screening process, where you’ll undergo additional tests to make sure you’re healthy enough to be a surrogate.

Once you check the surrogacy laws in your state, you can begin the process and become one step closer to giving a family the gift of life.

The journey truly begins after you’ve been matched up with the intended parents and begin the process. The following nine months are a major commitment of your body and time, and any number of factors can make the pregnancy either a pleasant experience or a complicated one.

It’s important to stay in contact with the expectant family during this emotionally charged time. Additionally, it’s a good idea to prepare a hospital bag for delivery day, as it will contain things to help keep you comfortable.

As the climactic moment of childbirth nears, you’ll get to experience firsthand the innate beauty of bringing a child into a family’s life that otherwise would not have been possible.

Surrogacy is not only a lasting way to help a family achieve their dream, but it can also be financially beneficial for you. A surrogate can be compensated in a variety of ways, including the cost of travel and general expenses, and paid time off from work.

Surrogates may also be eligible to receive compensation for childcare, life insurance, and even childbirth recovery. Usually these stipulations are handled upfront at the beginning of the process through a contract.

The gift of life is remarkable, but it’s not a reality for everyone. As a young woman in good reproductive health, you can make pregnancy and childbirth a possibility for a longing family. Although it requires some sacrifice on your part, the emotional rewards and financial benefits can be worthwhile.

* The information provided here is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Please read my full disclaimer notice here. This content may contain affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here.