3 Essential Issues a Surrogate Mother Needs to Consider

Becoming a surrogate mother is a wonderful gift you can give another couple. By acting as a gestational parent, you are enabling a childless couple to fulfill their dream of having a baby who shares their genetic heritage. However, there is no doubt that opting for surrogacy, either gestational or traditional, can be a life-changing experience. You need to be fully aware of your rights and responsibilities before going ahead with the birth. Here are some of the issues that you need to consider before taking this step. Q 1: Can You Remain Emotionally Detached From the Baby? As the notorious Baby M case proves, surrogate parents often bond emotionally with the baby, which can cause emotional complications to both the mothers as well as the intended parents when it is time to hand over the child. Many surrogate carriers report experiencing postpartum depression severe enough to require medical attention. Others become so attached to the child that they change their mind about handing over the baby to the parents. The latter course is legal in certain states where surrogate motherhood is given the same status as adoption. In other words, it is legal for the surrogate to change her mind about giving up the baby. However, this doesn’t reduce the deep emotional, psychological and financial damages you will be inflicting on the intended parents. Q 2: What Kind of Surrogacy Do I Prefer? There are several options open to surrogates and intended parents. While traditional surrogacy involves in-vitro fertilization of the surrogates’ own ova using sperm from the intended father, this might add to the emotional burden; since she will also be a genetic parent. Surrogates and intended parents, especially in gay surrogacy, can opt for gestational surrogacy with egg or sperm donation, where either the egg or the sperm comes from an anonymous donor. Q 3: Legal Protection for Surrogates It is essential that surrogates insist on a legal contract to protect their own interests. The contract should establish the moral and financial responsibilities of the intended parents. While it’s not legal to pay a surrogate mother, intended parents are responsible for paying for healthcare and hospital stay during pregnancy. Surrogates should also insist on a full psychological screening as well as access to all pertinent medical records for later use. If becoming a surrogate mother interests you, sign up with a reputed surrogacy agency for protection for all parties involved.