In this latest episode of our podcast, discover Jarry's story of love, struggle and perseverance.
Through the trials and tribulations of Gestation Pour Autrui (GPA), Jarry overcame obstacles to realize his dream of becoming a parent.
Marion shares her experience of PMA with him. How two strangers share the story of their incredible journey to parenthood. Listen to this podcast on all listening platforms. Feel free to comment, like and share our podcast: La Famelia
For many couples, adoption represents a complex and often discouraging path. Waiting times can be as long as ten years, especially for same-sex couples. Prejudice and administrative barriers make adoption even more difficult, driving some couples to explore other options, such as GPA.
"There was a form of homophobia, it's very complicated to prove it" - Jarry to Marion
What is GPA, or Gestation pour Autrui?
GPA, or Gestation Pour Autrui, enables a couple to have a child without one of the members of the couple carrying the child. A third party to the couple carries a fetus for 9 months, giving birth to a child that is not her own, but that of the couple for whom she has agreed to give birth. GPA is a practice that enables infertile couples or individuals to have a child without going through the adoption process. It's the possibility for a homosexual couple to have a child born through the mother's egg donation or the father's sperm donation. In GPA, the child can benefit from the mother's oocyte and the father's sperm, without the biological mother carrying the child in her womb.
This practice raises many questions, and its legality and the conditions under which it is carried out vary from country to country.
In France, GPA is not authorized. French couples are therefore unable to resort to GPA on French territory.
Homosexuality and GPA
The decision to turn to GPA:
After encountering obstacles during their adoption attempt, Jarry and his partner turned to GPA as a viable alternative. They traveled to the United States, where GPA is tightly regulated. Couples must contact organizations approved by the country to begin the process. This often involves a thorough social investigation and rigorous medical tests.
The stages of GPA
The gestational surrogacy process is lengthy and can be very stressful and tiring. Couples have to answer detailed questions about their lives and values, while donors and surrogate mothers are also subjected to a rigorous evaluation process. From the creation of the file, the social and medical investigations, and the selection of egg donors and surrogate mothers to the birth of the child, it can take 10 years.
"It's important to know that the surrogate mother is different from the donor. It's forbidden, you can't do both, they're 2 different stages." says Jarry.
Challenges and highlights during GPA
The GPA process can be emotionally and physically demanding for all involved. Extensive medical tests, psychological interviews and delicate choices about donors and surrogates are all part of the journey.
What's more, the process can reveal unexpected information, such as a blockage in the procedure due to previously undetected medical conditions.
"xtagstartzspan style="font-weight: 400;">They still found a genetic disease in my partner that we'd never seen before in France."
