The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009;11:1:49-54
doi: 10.1576/toag.11.1.49.27468
Copyright © 2009 by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Surrogate pregnancy: an essential guide for clinicians
Kalsang Bhatia, MRCOG, Locum Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology1,
Elizabeth A Martindale, MFFP FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist2,
Oybek Rustamov, MRCOG, Specialist Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology3 and
Anthony M Nysenbaum, MD FRCOG, Lead Clinician for Surrogacy, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist4,5
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Blackburn Hospital, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, Lancashire BB2 3HH, UK Email: naviapo{at}aol.com (corresponding author)
2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Blackburn Hospital, UK
3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Blackburn Hospital, UK
4. Manchester Fertility Services, Princess Road, Manchester M15 5AT, UK
5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trafford General Hospital, Moorside Road, Davyhulme, Manchester M41 5SL, UK
Key content:
- The incidence of surrogacy is rising.
- Literature on associated obstetric risks is scarce and caution must be exercised when labelling surrogate pregnancies as low risk.
- Although obstetricians responsibilities lie with the surrogate mother, they must ensure her wishes do not conflict with the best interests of the baby.
- Prepregnancy counselling is the key to a successful surrogacy arrangement.
Learning objectives:
- To gain an awareness of the different types of surrogacy.
- To understand the law surrounding surrogacy.
- To learn about antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care in surrogacy.
Ethical issues:
- When the surrogate mothers wishes and the interests of the child conflict, do obstetricians have the right to discuss this with the commissioning parents without her consent?
- When should obstetricians seek ethical and legal support?
Please cite this article as: Bhatia K, Martindale EA, Rustamov O, Nysenbaum AM. Surrogate pregnancy: an essential guide for clinicians. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009;11:49–54.
Keywords gestational surrogacy / HFEA Code of Practice / parental order / traditional surrogacy
Copyright © 2009 by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.