The psychological impact of surrogacy on the families of gestational surrogates: implications for clinical practice

Abstract

Objective To examine the psychological impact of gestational surrogacy on surrogates’ families. Background ASRM practice committee guidelines recommend that psychological counseling prior to surrogacy include consideration of a surrogate’s own family, but there has been little research to help guide mental health professionals (MHPs) providing implications counseling. Methods Fifty-nine family members from 16 surrogate families were recruited and data were collected on family relationships, child psychological well-being, and family experiences of surrogacy. Family members filled out a series of questionnaires based on their age and role in the family system. Results Participants included 16 surrogates (28 surrogate pregnancies) with an average time since first surrogate pregnancy = 2.93 years (range = 0–8 years). Overall, families of surrogates are functioning well across a number of psychological domains. There were some differences between surrogates and spouses regarding their perceptions of their children’s experience. A small number of children reported negative emotions about surrogacy and more research is needed to identify which children may be at risk. Children reported surrogacy having a positive impact on their lives and endorsed both pride and excitement about their mother being a surrogate. Conclusions There has been limited data to inform MHPs tasked with implications counseling prior to surrogacy in offering guidance to surrogates’ family members to help prepare them for the experience. This data can be used by MHPs providing implications counseling to help facilitate discussions about the potential impact of surrogacy tohelp ensure positive psychological outcomes for surrogates and their family members.

Keywords

• gestational surrogacy
• psychological well-being
• psychological assessment
• families of surrogates
• children of surrogates