We hope this brief overview helps understanding and we recommend reading this 23 page report in full if you can.

We thank @UNSRVAW and very much look forward to the presentation of the report in October. 15/15

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And that “relying on legal fictions of intent could result in a situation where women who become pregnant and give birth are never legally recognized as mothers.”

We appreciate this important point especially ,on consent. 14/15

Finally we conclude with “it has been argued that regulations and oversight can decrease the risk of the trafficking of women and girls in surrogacy arrangements and reduce harm, *existing evidence does not support such conclusions*.” 13/15

“indicates the lack of a gestational connection places them at increased psychological risk.”

The report noted the impact on children born from surrogacy and the impact on children of surrogate mothers who anticipate the return of their mother with the new baby. 12/15

…studies indicate that children born through surrogacy have lower mean gestational age at 10/15 delivery, higher rates of preterm birth and higher rates of low birth weight.” and confirms that long term research is limited but research we do have 11/15

Children “experience immediate separation from the woman who carried them and are transferred to the commissioning parents – a process that can be emotionally and developmentally significant…10/15

The report highlights how advertising in #surrogacy and #eggdonation is framed as “both altruistic and financially rewarding while omitting vital information about the discomfort of daily hormonal injections and harmful side effects and risks.” 9/15

We have seen this ourselves in cases of #surrogacyregret  in the UK.

stopsurrogacynowuk.org/2024/06/12/i-m… #bekindnd

8/15

Surrogacy can be an “exercise in demonstrating the values of 'love' and 'solidarity'...Such pressures discourage women from seeking help or voicing dissent, as they may already feel bound by the commitment.” 7/15

It notes the experience of surrogate mothers with multiple embryo transfers, selective abortion, lack of freedom of movement, losing body autonomy and the right to confidentiality : “Demands are often justified by claims that the child belongs to the commissioning parents.” 6/15

Surrogate mothers spoke on how “Family members or friends emotionally blackmail women to help them have a child by becoming a surrogate” & the report covers the unequal power dynamics, being treated like cattle, feelings of powerlessness & a lack of independent legal advice. 5/15

Broadly, this can cover everything from being in the public eye, having a busy or image focused career to phobias like Tokophobia (fear of childbirth) and Emetophobia (fear of vomiting) 4/15

The report clearly defines infertility v. what has been referred to as social infertility (same sex couples or single men and couples who are past normal child bearing years) and mentions ‘social’ surrogacy, where a woman doesn't want to be pregnant herself. 3/15

The report is fully comprehensive, noting dehumanising language and stereotypes, blurred lines on 'compensation'/’expenses’, international markets, media coverage, medical risks, human rights, consent, exploitation and the infantilisation of women. 2/15

Some may want regulate #surrogacy in an attempt to make it ‘safer’ or ‘ethical’.

We say isn't it time to consider the negative impacts and very real dangers and ban surrogacy?