When another woman bears a child for a heterosexual or homosexual couple, it is referred to as a so-called Surrogacy. The reproductive medicine method was introduced to the general public through a Series of prominent women and men known to have had children with the help of a surrogate mother in the past.
Including Elton John, Kim Kardashian, Sarah Jessica Parker, Chrissy Teigen, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cameron Diaz and Nicole Kidman. Just a few days ago she became an actress Olivia Munn Mom for the second time via surrogate – her uterus was removed after a breast cancer diagnosis.
New data on health consequences of surrogacy
In any case, demand seems to be increasing, even though reliable global statistics are missing. For example, in England and Wales – where surrogacy is permitted, although not for payment – surrogacy has been booming for several years. Figures published by the University of Kent in 2021show that the number of transfers of legal parenthood from surrogate mothers increased from 117 cases in 2011 to 413 in 2020.
A new study now shows the health consequences that surrogacy can have on a woman. The research, based on data from Canada, suggests that surrogate mothers are more likely to Complications how heavy postpartum bleeding and The preeclampsia (potentially dangerous high blood pressure with increased protein excretion in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy, note) occur than in women who became pregnant naturally or through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and became mothers as a result.
Surrogate mothers therefore also had a higher risk of Premature births. However, the likelihood that newborns would require neonatal care due to severe complications was not increased.
For the group led by the study director Maria Velez from Canada’s McGill University, the results are evidence that surrogate mothers in pregnancy better looked after have to be. Also stricter legal regulations for women who would like to take on such a role are necessary.
Influencing factors not fully understood
Velez and her team used the database “Better Outcomes Registry & Network”to examine the incidence of complications in 863,017 singleton births in Ontario between 2012 and 2021. Among the children born, 806 were surrogate babies (mostly an embryo conceived by the intended parents was transferred to the women). 846,124 babies were conceived naturally, 16,087 through IVF.
The rate of serious health complications was 7.8 percent for surrogate mothers2.3 percent in women who became pregnant naturally and 4.3 percent in women who were artificially inseminated.
The researchers were also able to prove that surrogate mothers were more likely to be certain Features including a residence in an area with low income, overweight or high blood pressure. However, these factors cannot fully explain the results, it is said. Because even if the characteristics mentioned, but also age, number of previous births or smoking, were taken into account in the evaluation, the effects remained – albeit to a lesser extent.
Velez thinks it is plausible that “there are other mechanisms, maybe one immunological mechanismwhich could be involved in this higher risk”.
High hopes for couples, allegations of human trafficking
Jackie Leach Scullya bioethicist at Australia’s University of New South Wales who was not involved in the study, points out in an interview with the Guardian pointed out that the study included only a small group of surrogate mothers and that these women may have previously given birth to healthy babies with no health problems. “Nevertheless, the study shows that we know relatively little about the special risks of surrogacy (…).The question is also justified as to whether the health of the woman, in contrast to the health of the fetus, is taken seriously enough in the surrogacy process.
According to Scully, surrogates should ideally be healthy and have a low risk of complications. In practice, this is not always the case. That throw ethical questions “especially with regard to the possible exploitation of women”.
In fact, there are many ways to have your dream child via a surrogate mother controversially discussed. Some people talk about a great opportunity to help couples with an unfulfilled desire to have children. From exploitation of women in precarious life situations and even Human traffickingthe others.
Between 13,000 and 200,000 euros This is approximately how much it costs to have a child carried by a surrogate mother. In many countries is Surrogacy and the business of it are prohibited. Also in Austria. However, women or couples can travel to other countries, such as Greece, Ukraine, Mexico or some US states, and use a surrogate mother there.
(kurier.at, pama)
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27.09.2024, 5:00
