Pregnancy is a magical moment in a parent’s life, bringing new life into this world and preparing for years of raising and loving a child. However, many people are not physically equipped to carry a child, while others do not want to. As we make great progress in the medical field, more avenues to bless families with children have been made. Surrogacy is one of them. Surrogacy is a medical arrangement where a woman carries and gives birth for another person or couple. The surrogate helps give birth to the baby in cases like the mother is not physically able to carry a child to term. However, is this arrangement healthy for the carrier? New research suggests that gestational carriers or surrogate mothers, may face a higher risk of developing mental illness during and after their pregnancy. The study published in the JAMA Network Open, which looked at over 767,400 births in Canada, found that these women are significantly more likely to experience a new mental illness compared to other mothers. The findings highlight the importance of proper screening and counseling for potential surrogates to prepare them for these risks. Key Findings on Mental Health and Surrogacy The study followed new mothers for an average of 4.5 years and found a clear difference in mental health outcomes. When compared to women who carried their own babies, gestational carriers were: 43% more likely to develop a mental illness for the first time.29% more likely to develop a mental illness than women who conceived using IVF.The mental illnesses included in the study were things like anxiety disorders, psychosis, substance use disorders, and self-harm. The research also noted that gestational carriers were often mothers who had given birth before and were more likely to live in low-income areas and have health issues like obesity or high blood pressure. Why Gestational Carriers May Be at Risk The researchers believe several factors could contribute to the mental health challenges faced by gestational carriers. These include:The emotional impact of separating from the newborn after birth.The complexities of maintaining a relationship with the baby's intended parents and the child itself.Societal judgment and scrutiny about their decision to become a gestational carrier.The study emphasizes that while many women are screened for existing mental illness beforehand, they may not be prepared for the new mental health issues that can arise. Additionally, many postpartum mental health problems are not treated properly, leaving these women especially vulnerable during a sensitive time. Other Risks Involved With Surrogacy There are also many other risks that are involved with surrogacy. Another Canada based 2024 study presented in the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) 40th Annual Meeting in Amsterdam found that surrogates face a higher risk of serious health problems during pregnancy. The rate of severe maternal complications was 7.1% for surrogates, which is much higher than the 2.4% for women who conceived naturally and 4.6% for those who used IVF. Surrogates also had a 13.9% rate of postpartum hemorrhage, compared to 5.7% for natural conceptions and 10.5% for IVF. While rates for high blood pressure disorders was also 13.9% for surrogates, compared to 6.6% for natural conceptions and 11.6% for IVF. The research suggests these higher risks may be due to differences in a surrogate's health before pregnancy, the type of prenatal care they receive, or the emotional and physical stress of carrying a baby for another person. Does Surrogacy Affect The Baby As Well? While the study found increased risks for the mothers, it did not show a significant difference in the health of the babies. Serious health problems in newborns up to 28 days old were similar across all three groups: 6.5% for surrogates, 6% for natural conceptions, and 9.1% for IVF. The main takeaway from the research is that while the babies appear to be safe, gestational carriers need better support and care throughout their pregnancies. This study also points to the idea that a person's financial situation can play a role in their reproductive health, suggesting that these factors should be considered when caring for surrogates.