Surrogacy is often seen as a hopeful option for couples who are having trouble getting pregnant, but it can also cause a lot of problems and moral problems. Not only the surrogate women but also the intended parents and the children born through these arrangements can be hurt by the risks.
Read more: Surrogacy Statistics Worldwide
What Can Go Wrong in Surrogacy?
- Physical Risks to Surrogates
During pregnancy, surrogate mothers face a lot of health risks. According to research, women who use gestational surrogacy are more likely to have serious problems during pregnancy, such as
- Postpartum hemorrhage means too much blood after giving birth.
- High blood pressure during pregnancy is a sign of pre-eclampsia, a severe disease.
- Birth before 37 weeks: Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy may have health problems.
Read more: surrogacy’s pros and cons
Studies have shown that problems are much more likely to happen in surrogate pregnancies than in pregnancies carried by women who are already pregnant.
One study from Canada found that 7.8% of surrogates had severe problems during pregnancy, compared to 2.3% of women who got pregnant naturally.
- Emotional and Psychological Challenges
Being a surrogate mom can be an emotional journey. Many women who carry babies for others often develop a bond with the child they are carrying. This can lead to feelings of sadness when it’s time to give birth and hand the baby over to the intended parents. After the experience, some surrogates report feeling symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress, which can negatively impact their mental health and overall well-being.
- Exploitation and Financial Risks
Surrogates can sometimes be taken advantage of by people or companies who want to have children. In some cases, these surrogates have been stuck with hefty medical bills that the intended parents or agencies didn’t pay. One surrogate shared that she was left with thousands of dollars in hospital bills after the intended parents took the baby and didn’t return.
There are also times when surrogates are forced to make choices that put the needs of the parents ahead of their health and well-being. Some examples of this are being forced to have a cesarean section or other medical procedures that may not be needed.
Read more: Difference Between IVF and Surrogacy
- Legal and Ethical Issues
The law may have problems, especially regarding child custody and parenting rights. Some well-known cases, like In re Baby M, show how difficult it can be to follow through with surrogacy deals when emotional and biological ties get in the way of the terms. In some cases, intended parents have had trouble getting the law to recognize their parental rights, which has led to long custody fights.
Moreover, there are ethical concerns regarding potential trafficking and exploitation within the surrogacy industry. Instances of baby trafficking have been documented, where children born through surrogacy arrangements were sold or abandoned due to parental preferences or financial motives.
- Health Outcomes for Children
Kids born through surrogacy may also have problems that aren’t like other kids. Researchers have found that these kids might have trouble adjusting psychologically significantly if their actual mothers don’t raise them. On the other hand, some studies show that these problems may get better as kids get older.
To sum up, surrogacy can help many people become parents, but it also comes with risks and moral questions that everyone involved needs to think about carefully. The emotional effects on surrogate mothers, the risk of being exploited, the difficulty of the law, and the results for the children are all important reasons why surrogacy arrangements need to be fully supported and regulated.
Having read these reasons for when surrogacy goes wrong, you should now know how to handle these issues.
Read more: What are the best countries for surrogacy?
How to Overcome Mistakes in Surrogacy
For better understanding, we create a table guide summarizing general information you should know. However, you must consult a fertility specialist and a lawyer for legal advice based on your situation. The doctor gives you the best possible advice, considering your medical problem.
Look at the table below to learn how to deal with surrogacy challenges:
Surrogacy challenges overview
| Challenge | Strategy | Details |
| Legal Issues | Comprehensive Legal Agreements | Draft clear contracts outlining rights, responsibilities, and expectations. |
| Legal Representation | Ensure both parties have independent legal counsel to protect their interests. | |
| Health Risks | Thorough Medical Screening | Conduct comprehensive medical evaluations for surrogates, including psychological assessments. |
| Single Embryo Transfers | Prioritize single embryo transfers to reduce risks associated with multiple births. | |
| Emotional Challenges | Emotional Support Systems | Provide access to psychological counseling for surrogates and intended parents. |
| Support Groups | Encourage participation in support groups for shared experiences and emotional support. | |
| Communication Issues | Open Communication | Maintain regular updates between surrogates and intended parents to build trust. |
| Conflict Resolution Mechanisms | Establish clear procedures for resolving disputes that may arise during the process. | |
| Ethical Concerns | Avoid Exploitation | Ensure fair compensation for surrogates and transparency about financial arrangements. |
| Agency Accountability | Work with reputable agencies that adhere to ethical standards and prioritize well-being. | |
| Postpartum Challenges | Post-Birth Support | Provide comprehensive postpartum care for the surrogate, including mental health support. |
| Follow-Up Medical Care | Ensure both the surrogate and child receive appropriate follow-up medical care after birth. |
Read more: Surrogate Mother
Where does surrogacy minimize the risk?
The last important question is, where can surrogacy be with less risk and high-quality standards? As you know, surrogacy can be costly, especially when you should pay to surrogate mother! Choosing an option that offers good quality at an affordable price can help you avoid financial issues while also giving you confidence in its effectiveness (success rate).
Surrogacy in Iran can be your best choice. Surrogacy is becoming more and more accepted in Iran as a viable choice for couples who are having trouble getting pregnant. The country has a unique mix of legal acceptance, low costs, and medical knowledge that makes it a popular choice for both Iranians and people from other countries who want to get surrogacy services.
Read more: traditional surrogacy process
For more details on how the surrogacy process in Iran works, follow the next section:
How to Make Your Surrogacy Journey Easy:
IranHealthAgency can help you with all of your surrogacy processes in Iran. We send you two legal contracts: standard and guaranteed surrogacy contracts, which are slightly more expensive.
- Standard Surrogacy Contract: This contract spells out the most important details of your surrogacy plan, ensuring everyone is clear and safe.
- Guaranteed Surrogacy Contract: For a small extra fee, our guaranteed surrogacy contract gives people even more peace of mind. This choice gives you more security and peace of mind about the surrogacy process, protecting your best interests the whole way.
Why Should You Pick Us?
When you use IranHealthAgency, you can: - Support That Is Tailored to You: Our dedicated team takes the time to learn about your needs and tastes and creates a plan tailored to your goals.
- Legal Knowledge: We ensure that all of the paperwork is done correctly and in line with Iranian law so you can be sure that your surrogacy deal is safe.
- We take care of every part of the surrogacy process, from making medical plans to giving you mental support so you can focus on what’s most important: starting a family.
If you are worried about when surrogacy goes wrong and worried about all the risks that can minimize your chance of success, please contact IranHealthAgency via the link below:
