Surrogate motherhood

Surrogate motherhood is an assisted reproductive method where a woman lends her womb to bring to life a baby on behalf of another woman.

In homologous IVF, the surrogate mother receives the fertilized embryo that has the genetic material of the couple. Then, she carries the pregnancy with a pledge to give the baby to its parents after birth.

Alternatively, if the ova or sperm are not suitable, donor or donor is used. The ova are fertilized with the sperm and one or more embryos are transferred to the surrogate mother

The first incident of surrogacy was found in the United States in 1976.

In our country, the method of surrogate motherhood became an institutional framework for the first time in December 2002, with Act 3089/2002 on “Medical Assistance in Human Reproduction”. According to this law, only mothers who are unable to get pregnant and do not exceed the age of natural reproductive capacity may only have the right to surrogate motherhood.

Before the couple initiates the treatment protocol, it is required a court permit and a written agreement to ensure the non-exchange of treatment with the woman who carries the baby.

In 2005, there is a new law on “Applying Medical Assisted Reproduction”, Law 3305/2005, which adds that the woman who carries the baby should pass all the medical examination and a thorough psychological evaluation.