Surrogacy allows intended parents to have a child with the help of a surrogate woman who carries the pregnancy. Because this involves body, money and emotions, most countries now regulate it tightly.
Key principles include:
- Clear medical and psychological screening of surrogate and intended parents,
- Informed consent from the surrogate, with full understanding of health risks and rights,
- Restrictions on commercial surrogacy in many systems, allowing only altruistic arrangements,
- Clear rules about parentage: who will be recorded as legal parents on the birth certificate.
Contracts usually cover expenses, medical care, insurance, conduct during pregnancy, and what happens in case of complications or multiple births. However, some terms may not be fully enforceable if they conflict with basic rights.
The child’s welfare is paramount. Authorities and courts want to avoid situations where babies are abandoned due to disability, divorce, or financial changes. That’s why eligibility norms for intended parents, age limits, and sometimes caps on number of surrogacies per woman are imposed.
Anyone considering surrogacy should use licensed clinics, follow legal procedures, and take independent legal advice instead of relying solely on agencies.
