With surrogacy becoming an increasingly popular family-building option, understanding the potential risks associated with it is essential. While surrogacy can be a rewarding experience, both for intended parents and surrogates, it’s important to approach this journey with awareness of the health, emotional, legal, and long-term effects involved. This article outlines the risks that surrogates, intended parents, and the children born through surrogacy may face and provides insights on making informed decisions.
Surrogacy Risks
Gestational surrogacy arrangements, where a woman carries and delivers a child for intended parents, are celebrated as incredible, life-giving acts. However, surrogacy also involves complex medical, emotional, and legal dynamics. Acknowledging these potential risks empowers intended parents and surrogates to take proactive steps in safeguarding everyone involved.
The Importance of Understanding Potential Risks in Surrogacy Arrangements
Approaching surrogacy with an informed perspective helps intended parents and surrogates make balanced, realistic decisions. Each stage of surrogacy, from initial contracts to post-birth arrangements, carries unique considerations that may affect the surrogate, intended parents, and child in different ways. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of these risks can help ensure a safer, more positive experience for all involved.
Is a Surrogate Pregnancy High Risk?
Read on to assess the risk factors associated with the surrogacy process.
Defining High-Risk Pregnancy in the Context of Surrogacy
A pregnancy is considered “high risk” if complications are more likely to develop during the gestational period or delivery. In the case of surrogacy, factors like multiple births, IVF, and the age of the surrogate often increase risk levels, requiring heightened medical supervision.
Factors Contributing to Risk Levels in Surrogate Pregnancies
The factors contributing to higher risk in surrogacy include:
- IVF and Hormonal Treatments: IVF often requires the surrogate to undergo intensive hormone therapy and embryo transfer procedures, which can lead to complications.
- Multiple Embryo Transfer: Multiple embryo transfers increase the likelihood of twins or triplets, which elevate health risks for both the surrogate and the babies.
- Age and Medical History of the Surrogate: Surrogates typically have a track record of healthy pregnancies, but each pregnancy is unique, and factors like age and past medical history can influence outcomes.
Comparing Risks of Surrogate vs. Traditional Pregnancies
Compared to traditional pregnancies, surrogate pregnancies can present unique challenges, largely due to the IVF process and additional psychological and legal complexities. Studies indicate that the surrogate’s physical and emotional well-being can be impacted differently than it would in a traditional pregnancy.
Health Risks of Surrogacy
The unlikely risks that you may need to plan for:
Physical Health Risks for the Surrogate
Surrogates face various physical health risks, particularly due to the IVF process. Common risks include:
- Hormonal Side Effects: Fertility medications can cause bloating, mood swings, and, in rare cases, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
- Invasive Procedures: Embryo transfer, regular monitoring, and potential C-section deliveries add medical risks.
- Gestational Complications: Risks like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and preterm birth can be higher for surrogates, especially with multiple pregnancies.
Emotional and Psychological Health Considerations
While many surrogates report positive experiences, others face emotional challenges due to the physical demands of pregnancy and the eventual separation from the baby. Feelings of loss, hormonal changes, and even postpartum depression may arise. Support groups, counseling, and open communication with intended parents can help manage these potential effects.
Risks Associated with Multiple Births or IVF Procedures
Multiple embryo transfers, often used to increase success rates, can result in multiple births, which carry higher risks for both surrogate and babies. Studies show an increased likelihood of premature delivery and medical complications when multiple embryos are implanted.
Legal Risks of Surrogacy
The unlikely legal factors that you may need to plan for:
Overview of Legal Complications in Surrogacy
The legality of surrogacy arrangements varies by region and can result in challenges when enforcing contracts, determining parental rights, or handling unexpected situations. Although most surrogacy agreements are upheld, there is always the potential for misunderstandings or disputes.
Potential Challenges with Parental Rights and Custody
Parental rights are essential to establish before birth, but legal complications can arise, particularly in international surrogacy arrangements or outside of surrogacy-friendly states. For example, in some cases, both the surrogate and intended parents may need to file for parental rights, leading to possible delays and stress.
Importance of Clear, Comprehensive Legal Contracts
Comprehensive legal contracts minimize risks, clearly defining expectations and addressing scenarios that might arise during or after the pregnancy. These agreements protect both the surrogate and intended parents by establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and legal boundaries, especially in cases of medical emergencies or birth complications. Learn more about legal risks here.
Effects of Surrogacy
On-going issues you might expect:
Long-Term Health Effects on the Surrogate
Surrogacy can have long-lasting health effects on surrogates. Research indicates that surrogates may experience lingering physical issues from C-sections, hormonal treatments, or complications during delivery. Emotional impacts, including attachment challenges and postpartum recovery, may also continue beyond birth.
Impact on the Intended Parents and Family Dynamics
Surrogacy offers profound rewards, but the process can affect family dynamics in unanticipated ways. Intended parents might feel financial stress due to the high costs of surrogacy or experience anxiety regarding the surrogate’s health and the baby’s well-being. Building a support network and maintaining open communication can help manage these effects.
Effects on the Child Born Through Surrogacy
Research on children born via surrogacy indicates that they generally thrive, though there may be identity and emotional considerations as they grow up. Children who understand their unique birth story often fare well, but they may have questions about their origins that require open, age-appropriate conversations. Studies suggest that with supportive parenting, these children grow up as well-adjusted as their peers.
Importance of Informed Decisions and Consulting Professionals
Given the various risks associated with surrogacy, informed decision-making is crucial. Consulting with healthcare providers, legal professionals, and surrogacy agencies is essential to address health, emotional, and legal aspects comprehensively. Intended parents and surrogates should discuss their expectations, conduct research, and plan thoroughly to make balanced choices that align with their needs and values.
Final Thoughts on Balancing Risks and Benefit
Surrogacy is a transformative journey filled with potential joys and risks alike. Acknowledging the complexities involved, from health and emotional well-being to legal matters, helps intended parents and surrogates prepare for a safe, supported experience. Although challenges are present, surrogacy offers an extraordinary opportunity to build families and create life-changing connections.
If you’re considering surrogacy, working with a reputable agency and consulting with knowledgeable professionals will help you navigate this path with confidence and clarity. Embracing a proactive approach allows you to celebrate the beauty of surrogacy while prioritizing the well-being of everyone involved.
Choose Surrogacy by Faith
If you want to have a positive and meaningful surrogacy experience, then you should take the time to find the best surrogacy agency for you. Surrogacy By Faith is a California-based agency that’s experienced and knowledgeable in every part of the process and can help you assess risks along the way. If you’d like to work with us, please fill out our Intended Parents Initial Inquiry form or our Surrogate Initial Inquiry form right away!