Every year, 300 couples go abroad to find the mother of their child, because having recourse to a surrogate mother is still prohibited, when more and more countries allow it.
Why are surrogate mothers accepted abroad?
Most of the time – when a woman cannot bring pregnancy into fruition or when a homosexual couple fervently wants a child – the help of a surrogate mother is one of the few solutions. In those countries where they do not have to hide, surrogate mothers are subject to a strict investigation and get a good support system. Most of the time, these women already have children, they like being pregnant and want to help other people. The parents only pay for the medical expenses (doctor’s appointments, etc.), surrogate mothers do not get paid.
Couple looking for surrogate mother, risk-free of prison
Law prohibits surrogate motherhood. Indeed, authorities fear that surrogate mothers will get paid, which could create an illegal traffic. We could think that a surrogate mother refusing categorically to be paid would give the baby she carries but the law and courts remains strict about it.
This obstinacy gave rise to an absurd situation in which in order to avoid the creation of an illegal traffic – that could be regulated as it is in other countries – desperate couples are forced to participate in « a procreative traffic » abroad…
Law must evolve at the same pace as the society it governs. In 2007 a poll showed that more than half the population (53%) was in favor of surrogacy.
What are the risks for parents having recourse to a surrogate mother abroad?
Although legislation is evolving, a child born abroad within the framework of surrogate mother convention ratified by a foreign judge will most likely not be recognized as such. Thus, the child will not be registered under his parents’ name on the register of births and no birth certificate will be issued. The child remains a foreigner in his country because the woman or man that will raise and love him during all his life is not considered as his parent.