Surrogacy

When a woman cannot have a baby due to infertility (e.g. no uterus/or genetic condition that prevents pregnancy) the use of a Surrogate to give birth may be considered.

Surrogacy can only proceed if the female Commissioning Parent is diagnosed with infertility.

Surrogacy is only useful in a very small number of cases as surrogacy is associated with many legal complexities. There are also a number of risks associated with surrogacy such as pregnancy complications and disputes regarding parentage of the child. To ensure that the best interests of all parties especially the child (including the children of the Commissioning Parent and the Surrogate where applicable) are taken into account the process for surrogacy is very complex and lengthy.

Repromed can provide Assisted Reproductive Treatment ART services for couples and surrogates who meet the eligibility criteria and have completed all the necessary requirements as stated by law. Repromed will not facilitate the surrogacy process and therefore the Commissioning Parents will need to organise all requirements such as lawyers/counsellor appointments and certificates before commencing ART treatment. Repromed cannot proceed if there is not a recognised surrogacy agreement in place.

A recognised surrogacy agreement is one where a woman (the Surrogate) agrees to become pregnant and give birth to a child on behalf of another woman and her partner (the Commissioning Parents) then gives the baby to the Commissioning Parents after the birth of the baby. The family laws in South Australia are very complex and you will require expert legal advice and therefore we recommend that you see a lawyer very early in the process.