Surrogacy in the UK

As assisted reproduction technology has evolved and become more effective, the number of parents using surrogacy has increased. It is estimated that over 500 children are born through surrogacy to UK parents each year (Brilliant Beginnings, 2020).

Surrogacy involves an individual intentionally becoming pregnant and carrying a child for someone else to become the intended parents (Payne et al, 2020). Surrogacy is a means of forming a family in a multitude of situations, including infertile heterosexual couples, same-sex couples, and women who have experienced multiple miscarriages, in addition to those who have congenital or medical conditions meaning they cannot carry children (Horsey et al, 2022).

In full surrogacy (also known as gestational or host surrogacy), pregnancy can be established through IVF or intrauterine insemination. A fertility clinic uses an embryo that the intended parents have created, either together or by substitution of one of the intended parent's gametes with egg or spermatozoa donation, meaning there is no genetic relationship to the surrogate (Horsey, 2024). Partial surrogacy (also known as traditional surrogacy) involves the surrogate being inseminated with an intended father's spermatozoa – in this case, the surrogate is genetically related to the baby being carried (Horsey, 2024).