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Surrogacy

Surrogacy is a negotiated arrangement in which a surrogate mother carries a child on behalf of a third party known as an intended parent (IP). Since the 1990s, surrogacy has become an increasingly popular option for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community and heterosexual couples struggling with infertility, offering an alternative to adoption and a more intimate connection to the pregnancy-related experience from conception to birth. This entry offers a glimpse into the world of surrogacy, focusing on the complex communication dynamics between the surrogate, IP, and society at large.

Understanding Surrogacy

Surrogacy is driven in large part by three primary considerations: (a) the biological connection of the surrogate mother to the child (i.e., the type of surrogacy), (b) the negotiated rate for the services rendered, and (c) whether or not the surrogate and/or IP(s) are professionally represented.

Types of Surrogacy

There are two types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational. With traditional surrogacy, pregnancy is achieved using an advanced reproductive technology (ART) called artificial insemination (AI). AI involves the injection of donor sperm directly into the reproductive system, typically the uterus, of the surrogate mother. Mimicking the natural reproductive process, the surrogate achieves pregnancy as she normally would when sperm meets egg. The surrogate acts as both egg donor and host uterus, making her the biological mother of the surrogate child. Gestational surrogates, on the other hand, undergo more intensive and invasive ART to achieve pregnancy. Using in vitro fertilization (IVF), a donor eggs and donor sperm are fertilized outside of the surrogate mother and implanted in her uterus. As such, she is host uterus but maintains no biological connection to the surrogate child.

Negotiated Rate

The negotiated rate also defines the surrogacy journey. Commercial surrogacy is driven by the financial compensation package negotiated between the surrogate and the IP. The surrogate is paid for her services, and the fee may by dictated in part by the type of surrogacy (gestational vs. traditional) and the level of experience of the surrogate (number of previous surrogacies). Most often, a commercial surrogate is not known to the IP prior to the surrogacy arrangement. Altruistic surrogates, on the other hand, carry the surrogate child without being formally compensated. Typically, an altruistic surrogate is a family member, friend, or acquaintance of the IP.

Professional Representation

The final point of consideration is professional representation versus private arrangement. Since the late 1990s, agencies representing commercial surrogacy transactions have become increasingly popular among both surrogates and IPs. These agencies act as a “one-stop shop” for matching surrogates with IPs. In addition, agencies may offer screenings (health and psychological), legal services, ART, and social support throughout the surrogacy journey. Professional agencies charge a fee and lessen some of the uncertainty associated with commercial surrogacy.

Communication Research and Surrogacy

The surrogacy journey can be divided into four distinct phases for research purposes: (1) committing to surrogacy, (2) matching, (3) achieving pregnancy and preparing for birth, and (4) completing the parenthood narrative. Each phase has unique communication challenges of interest to scholars.

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