Surrogacy As An Option For Child Bearing by Adetorera Idowu

The recent news about twin babies born to Adenike Oshinowo, ex beauty queen and Chief Executive of AOE Events and Entertainment Limited, through a surrogate mother has been visited with mixed reactions.
However, Oshinowo who has lived with a case of endometriosis since she was 13 has through this advancement in science won a battle which may have left her childless for the rest of her life.
Many have considered this bold move by the ex-queen, very controversial as it goes against the traditional method of childbearing but nonetheless, left a door of hope wide open for those who for some reason may be unable to bear children.
Infertility is a huge problem that has affected and is still eating at the foundation of many families in Nigeria. According to an online article, 25% of married couples are battling with this problem but thankfully, developments in medicine, have added many variations such as: Artificial Insemination, Embryo Transfer, In Vitro Fertilisation and of course Surrogacy.
Adoption which is another method is still not very popular in this part as couples are hesitant to raising a child who is not genetically linked to them. The popular belief is that the child may carry traces of their natural birth parents especially if the birth parents in question lead questionable lives. The need to satisfy the desire for a genetic bond with the child is the reason why surrogacy may after all be a much better option.
Surrogacy is such a huge step in this part of the world and one of the less visited options for childbearing.
Oshinowo may have paved the way for many Nigerians and it may be the last option for some people to bear a child.
Thankfully the law is very fluid on surrogacy services in Nigeria and they are gradually springing up. However it goes against the tenets of many religious groups.
What is Surrogacy?
For those to whom the concept of surrogacy is alien to, Surrogacy is a process where an arrangement is made between a couple or individual with a willing woman to carry their child. This child may be genetically linked to the surrogate mother or the couple.
Main types of surrogacy
The two main types of surrogacy are:
Traditional surrogacy (TS)
This involves artificially inseminating a surrogate mother with the intended father’s sperm via IUI, IVF or home insemination. With this method, the child is genetically related to its father and the surrogate mother.
Gestational surrogacy (GS)
When the intended mother is not able to carry a baby to term due to hysterectomy, diabetes, cancer, etc., her egg and the intended father’s sperm are used to create an embryo (via IVF) that is transferred into and carried by the surrogate mother. The resulting child is genetically related to its parents while the surrogate mother has no genetic relation.
Concerns
Due to the intricacy of the surrogacy agreement, many concerns are being raised some of which are:
DNA
A lot of concerns are constantly being raised on whether or not the child will carry the DNA of the surrogate mother. It is important that we know that a child’s DNA comes from the sperm and the egg used in the process of fertilization. There may in the process of time be some transfer of DNA from the surrogate but this will almost have no effect according to reports.
Miscarriage
It is said that twenty to thirty pregnancies result in miscarriage and miscarriages in the first two to three weeks of a pregnancy are caused by the embryo not implanting correctly. This is to be expected and it is usually an emotional time for the intended parents and surrogate mother
Sentimental attachment
It is expected that a sentimental attachment between the surrogate mother and baby especially is biologically the surrogate mothers and this can be worrisome to intending couples. The process of this can be abridged by using a legal contract and carrying out proper screenings with the surrogate mother before the arrangement is made.
Finally, we should know that surrogacy is the absolutely last stop for couples or individuals to have children. But it allows the surrogate mother to help someone in need and for the intending parent(s) to have their dreams come true. Surrogacy may be an option after all.