title: Surrogacy: the experiences of surrogate mothers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined the motivations, experiences and psychological consequences of surrogacy for surrogate mothers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four women who had given birth to a surrogate child approximately 1 year previously were interviewed by trained researchers, and the data rated using standardized coding criteria. Information was obtained on: (i) reasons for the woman's decision to become a surrogate mother; (ii) her retrospective view of the relationship with the commissioning couple before the pregnancy, during the pregnancy, and after the birth; (iii) her experiences during and after relinquishing the child; and (iv) how others reacted to her decision to become a surrogate mother.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that surrogate mothers do not generally experience major problems in their relationship with the commissioning couple, in handing over the baby, or from the reactions of those around them. The emotional problems experienced by some surrogate mothers in the weeks following the birth appeared to lessen over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surrogate mothers do not appear to experience psychological problems as a result of the surrogacy arrangement.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D030881:Disclosure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D010290:Parents; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013533:Gestational Carriers / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Empirical Approach; Genetics and Reproduction