Surrogacy

A surrogacy arrangement is where a woman agrees to have a baby on behalf of another couple (intended parents). This is seen as an answer to the problem of childlessness, for example infertility.

The agreement is that a woman (surrogate mother) agrees to carry the baby for the natural term of the pregnancy and then hand the newborn over to the intended (or ‘commissioning’) parents after the birth.

For couple who are unable to have children because of infertility, pelvic disease or a medical condition such as high blood pressure, surrogacy can be a solution to this problem.

Another option is adoption although there is a shortage of babies and children for adoption.

Surrogacy is often seen as a last resort as the surrogate woman is taking on all the risks of pregnancy which the intended mother is unable to do so.

However, there is a fair degree of controversy surrounding this type of arrangement with critics arguing that it is undertaken because of purely financial reasons. Others see it as a means of avoiding the physical and emotional stresses of pregnancy or a ‘lifestyle choice’.

But there are many couples who have undergone repeated fertility treatments such as IVF but are still unable to conceive, who desperately want a baby. Surrogacy is both a legal and feasible way for these couples to fulfil this need. And if this is handled in the proper manner between consenting adults then who is to say that it is wrong?

Surrogacy Guide Index:

• Surrogacy - Intro
• The surrogate woman

• Is there more than one type of surrogacy?
• Legal issues