Being a surrogate mother means taking on a huge responsibility for someone's else's life. A surrogate is someone who chooses to implant either another couple's fertilized egg or sperm that is fertilized with the surrogate's egg. The surrogate carries the baby for nine months until the baby is born and then gives the baby to the parents. This is a life-changing decision that needs to be well thought out beforehand. There are risks involved in the pregnancy and the surrogacy process.
Financial
One of the main reasons someone becomes a surrogate could be for financial gain. This could be because she may be unemployed, needs to pay for school or she may have to support her other children and a family. Not all surrogate pregnancies stem from financial need; some women become surrogate parents for a friend or acquaintance to allow them to enjoy the benefits of being parents. On the other end of the spectrum, many surrogate mothers could develop financial problems during the pregnancy that may go above and beyond the cost of the pregnancy that the parents can't pay for. These could include special medical therapies, medications, surgeries and birthing classes not covered by insurance. Not all insurance companies will pay for a surrogate pregnancy and birth, resulting in huge out of pocket costs for the parents and often times the surrogate mother. If for any reason the parents change their mind about the pregnancy or are unable to pay---the surrogate mother is stuck with the growing debt of medical care, bills and child care.
Medical
Sometimes there are medical conditions that arise in a surrogate pregnancy. This could be during the implantation or the insemination process, where infection or bleeding could occur. Even in a normal, healthy pregnancy there can still be uncomfortable physical conditions that arise, such as morning sickness, loss of skin elasticity, weight gain and muscle strain. There are some medical conditions that can pose serious health risks to the baby and the surrogate mother. Placenta abruption, hypoxemia, peripartum cardiomyopathy, gestational diabetes, eclampsia, placenta previa and hormonal imbalances can all play a role in health complications during the pregnancy and birth and should be considered as possible risks as the mother moves forward with the surrogacy.
Emotional
There are several emotional risks involved with being a surrogate mother. The main risk is becoming attached to the unborn baby. The baby slowly grows inside of the mother and kicks and responds to stimuli just like any other pregnancy. Developing emotional ties is an easy thing to do at any point in the pregnancy. Going to prenatal appointments and viewing ultrasounds and the baby's heartbeat can also form a bond that can be hard to sever when the baby is finally presented to its new parents.
Employment
One risk involved with being a surrogate mother may be employment. Some employers may recommend the surrogate take time off or refrain from work until after the baby is born. This can put a large financial strain on the surrogate---especially if she still has to pay for her living expenses and bills throughout the pregnancy. Talking about a possible pregnancy beforehand with the employer may be a wise choice as opposed to telling him after. If any type of medical condition should arise such as bed rest or surgery, this could also require more time off work.
Family
Being a surrogate mother doesn't just affect the surrogate; it can affect her immediate family, as well. If she has any other children, a husband or fiancé, they may also develop a bond with the unborn baby. Grandparents and other family members may also grow attached to the baby. It can be difficult for some people to distinguish or separate their feelings, knowing that the baby will not be a part of their life after it is born.
