A Good Surrogate: The Experiences of Women Who Are Gestational Surrogates in Canada/Une Bonne Mère Porteuse : Les Expériences De Femmes Agissant Comme Mères De Substitution Au Canada

Given current increase in gestational practices worldwide, little is known personal experiences and psychological health of women who are gestational surrogates. As such, women who have carried genetically unrelated embryo to term way of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for intended parents are focus of this article. This study delves into stories of gestational surrogates in Canada and some of challenges experienced. These women are assigned variety of names related to their role, including but not limited to gestational carrier, surrogate mother, host mother (Goldfarb et al., 2000), and birth (Ehrenshaft, 2007). In this article, term gestational surrogate will be used to identify women who undergo reproductive technologies to help friends, family, and, in some cases, strangers who wish to parent genetically related (Twine, 2011).HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY CONTEXTIn 1987, first baby was born gestational in United States through IVF embryo transfer (Hanafin, 2006). Ciccarelli and Beckman (2005) report, 1991 through 1999 there were 1,600 babies ... who were born as result of IVF in America (p. 23). In 21st century, Brakman and Scholz (2006, p. 59) report that about 1,000 births result from [gestational] surrogacy in United States each year. Gestational in its simplistic description is means of reproduction.Family matters, illness, infertility challenges, and aging populations in Western societies precede decision to choose gestational and account for its rise as family-building option (Hanafin, 2006). Griswold (2006) states, the trend for women to wait until later in life to have children has perhaps contributed to number of those seeking fertility treatment today (p. 46). Daniluk (2011) adds, by 2003, percentage of Canadian women who were 30 years or older at time they had their first had jumped to 48% from 14% in 1983 (p. 40). Ehrenshaft (2005) points out that gay families, single parents, and infertile adults are some of those who choose surrogacy. Gay couples choosing to become parents contribute to increase in gestational surrogacy, and primary and secondary infertility of both men and women is also contributory factor. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, globally, 8-10% of couples experience infertility in their reproductive lives (Widge, 2005, p. 226). In Canada, 11.5% to 15.7% of couples who try to become pregnant experience infertility (Bushnik, Cook, Yupze, Tough, & Collins, 2012).Family composition and medical issues such as infertility are two main factors involved in choosing process of surrogacy. However, Nakash and Herdiman (2007, p. 246) add, other factors like age, health, or even poor odds play part in as an option for parenthood. Many women are deciding to delay childbearing to acquire increased financial stability or for career advancements, and this family planning postponement increases chances of infertility and health problems, which may result in families choosing gestational surrogacy.As well, gestational is often chosen because is no longer as viable an option for many intended parents, and maintaining family lineage is significant. According to Hanafin (2006), most couples choose out of desire to be connected genetically, to participate in pregnancy, and to know child's birthmother (p. 381). Edelmann (2004) explains further: a number of studies have noted expressed desire of infertile couples to have biological connection between and one of prospective parents rather than to adopt an unrelated child (p. 128). Furthermore, van Den Akker (2007) states that, in UK, adoption tends to be seen as last resort option, or second best choice (p. 55). Thus, desire for some people to have genetic connection is often important and prompts decision of gestational surrogacy. …

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