Surrogacy

Question 1

Why might people choose to be a surrogate:

Answer 1

-for the money
-altruistic reasons

Question 2

Surrogacy and UK Law:

Answer 2

-illegal to pay for surrogacy
-intended parents must pay for maternity clothes, travel, etc
-surrogate is legal mother until court order from intended parents
-intended parents can get order from 6 weeks- 6 months after birth if child is in their care, being genetically related to child.

Question 3

Antenatal care:

Answer 3

-involve IP
-staff should know that it’s a surrogate pregnancy
-ensure surrogate gives consent to any treatment
-ensure surrogate still has privacy from IP
-treat IP as parents unless stated otherwise
-ensure this is not commercial surrogacy

Question 4

Intrapartum considerations:

Answer 4

-surrogate should have her own birth partners as well as IP
- try to facilitate skin to skin with IP, cutting the cord

Question 5

Postnatal considerations:

Answer 5

-be aware of method of feeding
-ensure IP and surrogate have access to each other
-baby can be sent home with IP with surrogates WRITTEN consent
-offer support to both sides
-surrogate still requires all routine postnatal care