Surrogacy

Third-party reproduction is commonly used by couples unable to reproduce in the traditional way. Medical and technological advances have revolutionised the field of reproduction, giving rise to growing numbers of people worldwide utilising surrogacy arrangements as a method of family building. Surrogacy provides an opportunity for individuals or couples to become parents in circumstances where carrying a pregnancy is biologically impossible or medically contraindicated (Shenfield et al, 2005).

This chapter outlines the different types of surrogacy; the steps involved in a surrogacy programme, and other key factors to be considered when embarking on a surrogacy arrangement, such as the ethical and legal perspectives.