By Isaac Atunlute
In the world today, surrogacy stands as both a miracle and a mirror, blurring the boundaries between biology and love while reflecting society’s evolving definitions of family, parenthood and identity.
It offers hope to couples facing infertility and same-sex partners seeking a biological connection.
As medical science pushes the boundaries of possibility, the decision to pursue surrogacy has become both a lifeline for families and a flashpoint for debates.
Globally, the surrogacy market is booming. It is valued at over $14 billion and is expected to skyrocket to $129 billion by 2032.
In Nigeria, amid cultural and religious stigma, private clinics reported a 30% increase in surrogate deliveries between 2018 and 2023, reflecting a quiet but significant shift in attitudes.
Why Surrogacy?
For many, the choice to have a child through surrogacy is not just a matter of convenience or preference but a final attempt at parenthood after years of silent struggle.
Women with medical conditions such as uterine fibroids, recurrent miscarriages, or post-cancer complications often resort to surrogacy when carrying a pregnancy is unsafe or impossible.
For others, it is a choice driven by age, lifestyle, or the desire to maintain genetic lineage.
“The decision to pursue surrogacy is never easy. It’s not even a plan B, it’s often the last open door after years of silent pain.” notes Primus Chinedu, a fertility specialist.
Yet Chinedu warns that society’s portrayal of surrogacy as a glamorous, straightforward solution can be misleading.
“We’ve seen cases of surrogates developing severe preeclampsia, long-term hormonal imbalance, or even depression post-birth, especially when the emotional bond to the child becomes unexpectedly deep.”
Not Just any Woman Can be a Surrogate
Contrary to popular belief, not every woman can or should be a surrogate. Beyond physical health requirements—no history of complicated births, chronic diseases, or untreated mental health issues—surrogates need an extraordinary level of emotional resilience and a clear understanding that love alone cannot justify changing the terms mid-journey.
“You don’t just need a healthy body,” Chinedu emphasizes. “You need mental resilience, emotional maturity, and a deep understanding of what it means to carry a child you will not raise.”
In parts of Africa and Asia, the booming demand for surrogacy has turned it into an unregulated, profit-driven industry. Poor women, drawn by the promise of fast money, can find themselves exploited in a system where their well-being is compromised.
Physically, surrogacy carries its own risks, including high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and life-threatening complications during delivery.
Emotionally, the journey can be just as challenging, with surrogates sometimes experiencing postpartum depression or unexpected attachment to a child, despite clear intentions from the outset.
Although there are nations like the UK which insist that the intended parents must adopt the child at birth, there are others like India and Nigeria which have scattered legislations which do not accord the surrogate or the parent any comprehensive rights or protection.
The Path Forward
The process of surrogacy is so much more than a medical contract; it’s a path of hope, risk, and ultimate humanity. As the law and cultures try to keep pace with these advancements, one truth remains: the child born through surrogacy deserve love, clarity and a family free from secrecy or shame. And surrogates, genetically or legally not bonded in all instances, remain forever a scared part of the story, one that redefines not only how families are formed.
Surrogacy represents both a breakthrough and a challenge in modern society, merging biological and emotional boundaries and redefining family and parenthood. It provides hope for infertile couples and same-sex partners but is also a subject of global debate. The surrogacy market is booming, projected to grow from $14 billion to $129 billion by 2032. In Nigeria, despite cultural stigmas, surrogate births increased by 30% from 2018 to 2023, indicating a shift in social attitudes.
The decision for surrogacy often occurs after exhausting other parenthood options, particularly for women facing medical barriers to pregnancy. However, surrogacy is not a simple choice; it can involve significant risks such as severe health complications for the surrogate and emotional challenges, including postpartum depression.
Surrogacy requires more than just a healthy body; emotional resilience and clear boundary understanding are vital. The industry, especially in parts of Africa and Asia, can exploit vulnerable women drawn by financial incentives, and regulatory protections are often lacking, leaving surrogates and parents without comprehensive rights.
As surrogacy evolves, it must be governed by legal and cultural frameworks that ensure transparency and safeguard the dignity of all parties involved, especially the children born from these arrangements. This calls for a compassionate approach that recognizes the surrogate's contributions and the child's right to a stigma-free family life.
