Surrogacy is a complex process not only due to the medical complex process involved in this technique, but social and psychological issues have also an impact. These always create a debate of the acceptance of surrogacy legally, socially, and ethically.
In the normal pregnancy process, couples carrying their biological offspring on their own to build up their family. But, surrogacy breaks these normal pregnancy norms, as in this process a third person involved in carrying the offspring for the couples who unable to carry their child. For example, the uterus is removed from the female partner due to cancer treatment.
Surrogate hand over the baby soon after birth and the intended parents receive the baby, which is usually created in the laboratory. In commercial surrogacy, the surrogates receive financial compensation for their job. Therefore, in this case, surrogates have a purpose to carry and deliver a child and they psychologically prepare for relinquishing the child.
There is much research that has already studied the social and psychological impact of a surrogate. Most of these study findings reported that the surrogate herself become depressed. Surrogates become vulnerable and easily get exploited due to cross- broader surrogacy practice. But only highlighting these issues creates chaotic conditions. Many countries are banning commercial surrogacy, cross border surrogacy due to ethical and social norms that do not match with the surrogacy practice.
If we consider the positive aspects of surrogacy, then it may change the traditional aspects. Surrogacy is a noble approach that gives both the clients (surrogate & intended parents) a win-win situation. Surrogates often earn a lump sum amount by opting for commercial surrogacy, which can improve their family’s status of living. This may not be possible for a not well-to-do female. In another aspect, the couples who have sufficient monitory and family support want their baby, but unable to do so due to medical issues, for them surrogate become an angel who helps to fulfill their wish.
All the social and psychological barriers and hiccup can be managed by establishing a bonding between surrogate and intended parents. Among the multidisciplinary approach involved in surrogacy, psychosocial education and counseling for both the surrogate and intended parents through medical experts should be one of the most important treatment approaches. Although many surrogacy centers start to follow this, but may not all.
Successful surrogacy can be maintained by a deep understanding of the psychological arm which can be established through maintaining the quality of relationships between the intended parents and the surrogate. It is necessary to encourage and motivate intended parents to keep continue the relationship with the surrogate even after the child’s birth. Contact with surrogate after birth, disclosure to family and friends about the process, and when the age of the children enough to understand, then disclose the birth history to the child/ children. This gives a positive feeling to both intended parents and surrogates.
The psychological and social issues cannot be solved by hiding the reality, but uncover the truth often release all psychological and social barrier. Therefore, ethical norms should be enough liberal to overcome the social and psychological barrier and to improve the surrogacy practice, then banning of surrogacy may not be required.
Read Also: Challenges of Surrogacy.
Ravi Sharma is a self-motivated, successful entrepreneur and has a solid experience in the fertility segment. and he is the director at ARTbaby Global (ARThealthcare). He is a pharmacy graduate with post-graduation in business administration and has 14 years of rich experience in the field of infertility segment. He loves to write about IVF, Surrogacy, and other ART (assisted reproductive technology) news, issues, and updates. He is a Pharmacy graduate (B. Pharm) and M.B.A (marketing).
His most recent success includes the successful launch of the medical tourism company, ARTbaby, which offers treatment options for infertility, egg donation, and surrogacy. He likes spending time with his family and writing about various aspects of IVF surrogacy and donating eggs.