Does Surrogacy Exploit Low-Income Women?

Surrogacy, the practice of carrying a baby for another individual or couple, is a deeply complex and often controversial subject. While surrogacy can offer the joy of parenthood to those unable to conceive naturally, it also raises ethical concerns, particularly around the exploitation of low-income women. Many critics argue that surrogacy, especially in countries with less regulation, can disproportionately affect vulnerable women, turning their bodies into commodities for wealthier individuals. In this article, we will explore the ethics of surrogacy, particularly whether it exploits low-income women, by examining the various types of surrogacy, the legal frameworks around the world, and how antenatal care is impacted. We will also touch on important secondary topics such as antenatal vitamins, prenatal yoga, and antenatal checkups to ensure that surrogates receive the care and support they need throughout their pregnancies.

Types of Surrogacy

Before diving into the ethical concerns, it’s essential to understand the two primary types of surrogacy:

1. Traditional Surrogacy: In this form, the surrogate uses her own egg, making her the biological mother of the child. Sperm from the intended father or a donor is used to fertilise the egg, typically through artificial insemination.
2. Gestational Surrogacy: This type is more common in modern surrogacy arrangements. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is not genetically related to the child. An embryo created via in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is implanted in the surrogate’s uterus. Gestational surrogacy has become the more favoured option due to the clear separation between the surrogate’s genetic material and the baby. However, both types of surrogacy raise questions about how surrogates are treated and compensated, particularly when financial considerations come into play.

Does Surrogacy Exploit Low-Income Women?

The most prominent ethical concern surrounding surrogacy is whether it exploits low-income women by taking advantage of their financial needs. In countries with fewer regulations, wealthy couples may pay relatively small amounts to surrogates who are desperate for financial support. These arrangements often involve women from poorer regions who may not have the resources or education to fully understand the risks involved in surrogacy.

Economic Inequality and Surrogacy

Surrogacy can exacerbate economic inequalities, with wealthier individuals seeking out low-cost surrogates in countries like India, Nepal, and Mexico, where compensation for surrogacy is significantly lower than in developed countries. For some, surrogacy becomes a form of exploitation where women are pressured into the decision by financial hardship. They may have limited access to antenatal care, pregnancy care, or legal protection, making them more vulnerable to exploitation.

Risks to Physical and Emotional Health

Pregnancy, even under the best circumstances, carries risks. Low-income women who act as surrogates may lack access to the same level of antenatal care as wealthier women. Proper care, including antenatal appointments, antenatal vitamins, and prenatal care, is essential for the health of both the surrogate and the baby. Without comprehensive healthcare, surrogates may face heightened risks of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Additionally, surrogacy can take an emotional toll on the women involved. Being a surrogate requires not only physical commitment but also emotional resilience. Many surrogates experience separation anxiety or sadness after the birth, especially in traditional surrogacy arrangements where they are genetically related to the child. In some cases, surrogates may feel pressured to sign contracts with terms they don’t fully understand, which can affect their emotional well-being during and after pregnancy.

Legal and Ethical Frameworks

The legal and ethical frameworks surrounding surrogacy vary greatly depending on the country. In countries like the United Kingdom and Canada, where only altruistic surrogacy (where surrogates are not paid beyond expenses) is legal, the exploitation of low-income women is less likely. In contrast, countries that allow commercial surrogacy, especially where surrogates are paid a fee, have greater risks of exploitation.

Regulations and Antenatal Support

Countries with strict surrogacy regulations tend to provide better antenatal care for surrogates. In the UK, surrogates are required to receive proper medical and psychological evaluations, ensuring they understand the physical and emotional demands of the process. In countries without such regulations, surrogates may not receive adequate antenatal support or antenatal checkups, increasing their risk of health complications. Antenatal clinic visits are crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of the surrogate. Surrogates should receive regular antenatal scans and be offered comprehensive antenatal education to prepare them for the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy.

Surrogacy and Antenatal Care: What Support is Needed?

Ensuring that surrogates receive proper antenatal care is one way to minimise exploitation and protect their health. Surrogates, like any pregnant woman, should have access to:

1. Antenatal Vitamins: These vitamins are essential for supporting the health of both the surrogate and the developing baby. Key nutrients like folic acid, iron, and calcium play a vital role in a healthy pregnancy.
2. Antenatal Yoga: Pregnancy can be physically taxing, and antenatal yoga provides gentle exercise that helps strengthen the body while promoting relaxation. Many surrogates may benefit from prenatal yoga classes to maintain physical health and manage stress.
3. Antenatal Massage: Prenatal massage offers numerous benefits during pregnancy, including reducing muscle tension, improving circulation, and promoting overall relaxation. Offering surrogates access to antenatal massage can enhance their physical comfort during pregnancy and help them manage the emotional stress that comes with surrogacy.
4. Antenatal Checkups: Regular antenatal appointments are crucial for monitoring the health of both the surrogate and the baby. Surrogates should receive frequent pregnancy clinic visits to ensure that any potential complications are identified and addressed early on.

Ensuring Ethical Surrogacy Practices

To prevent the exploitation of low-income women, surrogacy practices need to be regulated and guided by ethical principles. Countries that allow surrogacy should implement strict guidelines that protect the rights and well-being of surrogates. These guidelines should include access to:

• Comprehensive Antenatal Care: Surrogates must receive regular medical checkups, including antenatal scans and other essential services that ensure their health and the health of the baby.
• Fair Compensation: Compensation for surrogates should be fair and take into account the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy. Surrogates should not be exploited for their financial situation, and fees should be regulated to prevent this.
• Psychological Support: Surrogacy is emotionally taxing, and surrogates should have access to counselling services before, during, and after the pregnancy to help them manage the emotional challenges that come with the process.
• Legal Protection: Surrogates must have clear legal rights and protections to ensure that they are not exploited or coerced into contracts that they do not fully understand.