A surrogacy agreement involves a woman carrying a child for an individual or couple who is unable to do it themselves. Sometimes the child is genetically connected to the commissioning parents, but most of the time donor gametes are utilized, and the child is related to only one, or in rare circumstances none of the commissioning parents. Sometimes, but not always, the surrogate mother shares genetics with the child she carries. Some surrogacy partnerships are local, but many commissioning parents choose overseas surrogacy, which adds another layer of logistical and legal challenges.
Surrogacy has a number of long-term repercussions. It can cause physical and psychological problems for the families and the babies.
The Impact of Surrogacy on the Baby
Here is a list of negative effects of surrogacy on babies.
Low Weight
Babies born through surrogacy are more likely to have “low and very low” birth weights.
Miscarriage and Stillbirths
Because surrogate mothers are more likely to be carrying multiple embryos and are using donor eggs in their pregnancies, they are significantly more likely to miscarry. Additionally, surrogate pregnancies are significantly more likely to result in stillbirths.
Attachment
The natural maternal bond and the exchange of hormones necessary for the baby’s development and the mother’s healing are severed when the baby is promptly separated from the surrogate mother upon birth. In reality, the majority of surrogate mothers never have the opportunity to see the infant they carried for nine months.
Family structure
How the family lets the child know that he/she was born through surrogacy is highly important. This can influence their comprehension of family structures and relationships.
Family stigma
The baby who has been born via surrogacy may encounter questions or even discrimination as a result of cultural and social attitudes toward surrogacy. This can affect the child’s self-esteem.
Genetic connection
In some cases, the surrogate is the biological mother of the baby (traditional surrogacy). In other cases, the surrogate has no genetic relationship with the baby. This can affect the child’s feelings about his/her origin.
Final Words
In general, the impact of surrogacy on a child can be significantly influenced by the child’s environment and individual circumstances. Don’t forget that fostering a healthy sense of self for the child can be influenced considerably by supportive families. Families play an important role in how the baby feels about the whole thing.
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