Surrogacy is becoming a more widely explored option for Nigerians facing challenges with natural conception. However, the journey involves navigating a complex mix of legal, cultural, and medical factors.
What is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is an arrangement where a woman, known as the surrogate, agrees to carry a child for another person or couple referred to as the intended parents.
There are two types of surrogacy – traditional and gestational. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate uses her egg, making her the biological mother of the child. Gestational surrogacy, which is more common in Nigeria, involves the surrogate carrying an embryo created from the intended parents’ or donors’ egg and sperm, ensuring no genetic link between the surrogate and the child.
Why Do People Choose Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is often pursued due to infertility, health risks that make pregnancy unsafe for the intended mother, or advanced maternal age. It can also provide a pathway to parenthood for same-sex couples, although this remains a sensitive issue in Nigeria.
One of the biggest challenges surrounding surrogacy in Nigeria is the lack of specific laws regulating the process. Surrogates are often considered the legal mothers until custody is legally transferred, usually through parental orders or adoption processes.
Contracts between surrogates and intended parents help outline responsibilities and compensation, but these agreements may not always be enforceable in court. Legal complications may also arise for parents from different countries regarding their child’s citizenship.
Culturally, surrogacy remains a controversial topic. It is often misunderstood or viewed as taboo, with stigma preventing open discussions in many families. Religious opinions vary, with some leaders supporting it as a compassionate act and others questioning its morality. This cultural resistance adds another layer of complexity for those considering this path.
The medical process of surrogacy includes screening and preparation of the surrogate and intended parents, followed by in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Once an embryo is created, it is implanted in the surrogate, who then undergoes regular medical monitoring throughout the pregnancy. After delivery, the baby is handed over to the intended parents as agreed.
The cost of surrogacy in Nigeria ranges from N4 million to N15 million. This includes IVF treatments, medical care for the surrogate, her compensation, and legal fees. While surrogacy offers hope, it also carries risks.
Pregnancy complications can arise, and without regulation, there is potential for exploitation or unfair treatment of surrogates. Legal disputes over custody or financial agreements and the emotional toll on all parties are other concerns.
To ensure a safe surrogacy journey, it is crucial to work with reputable fertility clinics and experienced legal professionals. Thorough medical and psychological screenings for surrogates are also essential to minimize risks.
Surrogacy in Nigeria holds significant promise, but its future depends on greater awareness, acceptance, and the establishment of clear laws to protect all parties. With careful planning and expert guidance, this pathway to parenthood can offer hope to many who dream of starting or growing their families.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE