Surrogate Mother
Surrogacy is a form of assisted reproduction for couples or women who are unable to carry a pregnancy to term for medical reasons. In this case, another woman—the surrogate mother—carries the embryo on behalf of the intended parents.
The procedure is performed as part of in vitro fertilization, where the embryo is created in a laboratory and then transferred to the surrogate mother’s uterus. In Greece, surrogacy is permitted under specific conditions and is regulated by relevant legislation.
What is a surrogate mother?
A surrogate mother is a woman who agrees to carry and give birth to a child on behalf of other parents when the biological mother is unable to carry the pregnancy herself.
In surrogacy, the embryo is created through in vitro fertilization using the genetic material of the intended parents or egg or sperm donors. The embryo is then transferred to the surrogate mother’s uterus, who carries the pregnancy to term.
Surrogacy is used in cases where there are serious medical obstacles to pregnancy and can be an important solution for couples who wish to have a child.
In what cases is surrogacy used?
Surrogacy may be recommended when a woman cannot safely carry a pregnancy to term or when pregnancy is medically impossible. In these cases, a surrogate mother carries the pregnancy on behalf of the intended parents.
The method can be used in cases such as:
- absence of a uterus (congenital or following surgical removal)
- severe uterine conditions that prevent pregnancy
- Rokitansky syndrome
- severe endometrial adhesions (Asherman’s syndrome)
- serious medical conditions that make pregnancy dangerous for the woman
- recurrent implantation failures or miscarriages
In any case, the decision to proceed with surrogacy is made following a medical evaluation and in accordance with the applicable legal framework.
How does surrogacy work?
Surrogacy is carried out through in vitro fertilization. First, the embryo is created in the embryology laboratory using the genetic material of the intended parents or, in some cases, an egg or sperm donor.
The embryo is then transferred to the surrogate mother’s uterus, who carries the pregnancy to term until the child is born.
Before the process proceeds, approval from the competent court is required, in accordance with the legal framework in force in Greece. After the child is born, the parents who requested the process are recognized as the legal parents.
Legislation on surrogacy in Greece
Surrogacy is permitted in Greece under specific conditions and is regulated by current legislation on assisted reproduction. The procedure is permitted only when the woman wishing to have a child is medically unable to conceive.
To proceed with surrogacy, prior court authorization is required, which is issued upon application by the intended parents prior to embryo transfer. The court decision confirms that the necessary medical and legal requirements are met.
According to the Greek legal framework:
- surrogacy is permitted only for altruistic reasons
- the surrogate mother cannot have a genetic relationship with the child
- after birth, the child is legally recognized as the child of the intended parents
The existence of a clear legal framework makes Greece one of the European countries where surrogacy can be carried out through specific and regulated procedures.
Requirements for a surrogate mother
In order for surrogacy to take place in Greece, specific medical and legal requirements must be met by both the woman wishing to have a child and the surrogate mother.
The surrogate mother must be a healthy woman of reproductive age and have undergone a full medical examination to ensure that she can safely carry a pregnancy to term.
Typically, the following are required:
- she must be in good general health
- she must have completed the necessary gynecological and medical examinations
- she must not be genetically related to the embryo
- there must be a written agreement between the parties involved
- a court order must have been issued prior to embryo transfer
The procedure is always carried out in accordance with the applicable legal framework and under the supervision of a specialized medical team to ensure the safety of both the surrogate mother and the intended parents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In surrogacy as it is practiced today, the surrogate mother has no genetic relationship with the child. The embryo is created through in vitro fertilization using genetic material from the parents or donors.
The process of finding a surrogate mother is usually carried out through specialized assisted reproduction centers and with the help of medical and legal guidance. In some cases, the surrogate mother may be a relative or friend, provided that the medical and legal requirements are met.
Yes. Depending on the parents’ medical history, donated eggs or sperm may be used to create the embryo prior to embryo transfer.
Sex selection is not permitted for social or personal reasons. Under the current legal and medical framework, sex selection may only be performed in cases where there is a risk of transmitting serious sex-linked genetic disorders.
In these cases, sex selection is performed as part of preimplantation genetic testing and solely for medical reasons.
The cost of surrogacy can vary depending on the medical procedures, tests, and legal processes involved. An accurate estimate is provided following a medical and legal evaluation of each individual case.
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