Medical science has advanced considerably over the centuries. Some of the outstanding breakthroughs on this journey is the artwork and science of surrogacy, a apply the place a lady carries a toddler in utero (within the womb) on behalf of one other lady or couple, whose egg and sperm are fertilized in a laboratory to kind an embryo earlier than being implanted into the surrogate mom.
The selection to grow to be a surrogate mom is bestowed upon a lady who undergoes the implantation course of, a posh journey that undoubtedly leads to experiencing discomfort, bodily and emotional ache.
Whatever the consequence, these pains persist because the fetus develops in the course of the nine-month gestation interval, which comes with its personal set of challenges, together with hormonal imbalances and resultant physique adjustments.
Turning into a surrogate mom shouldn’t be a knee-jerk resolution. Monetary challenges, particularly in creating societies like ours, and sympathy – a lady wanting to assist one other lady who has been struggling to conceive or whose womb has been licensed unfit to hold a toddler by a medical skilled – are sometimes underlying motivations.
Meant dad and mom additionally don’t leap into surrogacy headfirst; they might have tried different means earlier than settling for such a tedious course of. Others, nonetheless, would go for it as a result of tokophobia – the worry of childbirth. For this group, it’s a case of higher secure than sorry.
Different phobias that make {couples} contemplate surrogacy embrace the worry of dropping the newborn contained in the womb, medically referred to as stillbirth; worry of dying throughout childbirth; worry of extreme weight acquire and different bodily and hormonal adjustments; worry of mother mind; and child blues, amongst others.
With all these elements in thoughts, it’s mind-boggling {that a} lady ought to go the additional mile to hold and beginning one other individual’s youngster, solely to be left excessive and dry with none type of compensation!
On Could 26, 2025, the Home of Representatives initiated legislative motion to ban industrial surrogacy in Nigeria and set up a framework to control the apply solely for non-commercial, altruistic functions. This transfer follows the introduction of “A Invoice for an Act to Defend the Well being and Effectively-being of Girls, Significantly in Relation to Surrogacy and for Associated Issues”.
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The provisions within the Invoice that stipulate ‘specific safety towards coercion or pressured surrogacy preparations’ and ‘mandating counseling for each surrogate moms and meant dad and mom’ are extremely commendable. That is notably vital given cases the place meant dad and mom reject infants based mostly on gender preferences; counseling would assist them perceive that they have to settle for the kid wholeheartedly, no matter gender.
One other twist that underscores the significance of counseling is that, in some instances, surrogate moms have fought for and claimed possession of the kid, regardless of prior agreements.
Secondly, the “endorsement of solely altruistic surrogacy, the place no monetary revenue is concerned aside from reimbursing medical and pregnancy-related issues” is some extent of rivalry. Surrogate moms needs to be pretty compensated financially for his or her position, based mostly on mutually agreed-upon phrases and circumstances between each events.
Whereas the invoice in itself could also be altruistic, it ought to contemplate financial compensation for ladies who render such a troublesome and time-consuming service, thereby offering them with the mandatory instruments to take care of correct psychological and bodily well-being after childbirth.
Because the invoice seeks to guard the rights of girls concerned in surrogacy and different events, the legislators ought to contemplate a number of key elements: What occurs if a surrogate mom loses her life? What if a stillbirth happens? What provisions are made for aftercare? What if the being pregnant leaves the surrogate mom with long-lasting well being points, corresponding to hypertension or diabetes? Addressing these questions will present steadiness and add depth to the Invoice.
The financial compensation needs to be seen as a type of comfort for these surrogate moms when all is alleged and carried out. Nevertheless, Senator Uchenna Okonkwo, who represents the Idemili North/Idemili South Federal Constituency of Anambra State and sponsored the invoice, could have his causes, which I gained’t speculate about. Nonetheless, the invoice warrants a re-examination to make it extra complete.
Lastly, it’s no information that child farms are hotbeds for illicit actions, together with human trafficking. Criminalizing industrial surrogacy may inadvertently gas these underground enterprises, whereas a extra crucial have a look at invoice to incorporate compensating surrogate moms might nip the issue within the bud.
Arita Oluoma Alih is a pupil of Worldwide Institute of Journalism. She writes from Abuja and will be reached on: [email protected]
