What is the name for a woman who is paid to be impregnated and to carry a baby that is not hers?

Answer 1

I believe the word you are looking for is surrogate, a women who carries a baby for a couple who are unable to have children through more conventional methods. The women is impregnated with a fertilized egg by a doctor, this way the surrogate has no biological connection to the baby.

Since the baby is not related to the surrogate biologically, she is in effect an incubator, loaning her womb out for 9 months. This can be seen as a labor of love or fundamentally wrong - depending on your personal point of view; but do not misunderstand the concept. The woman is not selling her baby. As it is not hers to sell.

When surrogacy started in America the surrogatewas usually impregnated with sperm of the intended fatherr, after birth she would legally give up parental rights to the child and the wife of the biological father would then legally adopt the baby. Most surrogacy clinics no longer offer this service, due to surrogate mothers changing their mind at some point and creating a nightmare in the courts for all parties, but especially the baby. There are still cases where a friend or relative acts as a surrogate, if she uses her own eggs the end result is often an open adoption.

In the case of the intended mother being unable to provide an egg due to age, medical issues or infertility, a donor egg is used. Impregnated in a lab with the sperm of the intended father, the fertilized egg is then implanted in the surrogate. The woman who provides the egg is matched as closely as possible in physical characteristics, likes, talents, and education of the intended mother.

Surrogates, in some states can be paid a token amount of money, but it is not for the baby. It is the fee to walk around with a child who belongs to someone else for 40 weeks. The biological parents pay for her medical care and may provide some gifts to the woman such as maternity clothing or other things she needs while pregnant.

The average fee paid by the couple needing such services can be close to $100,000.00. This includes legal fees, psychological testing, background checks on all parties and the fee paid to the surrogate, when the surrogate is not known to the couple prior to the arrangement. This does not include travel, the cost of the in-vitro fertilization or the surrogates medical fees.

The average fee paid to the surrogate is between $20,000. and $25,000. This comes out to $385.00 to $481.00 for 52 weeks. Taking into consideration the month of appointments prior to conception, 40 weeks of pregnancy and 8 weeks of recovery after giving birth. This is one reason why surrogacy is considered a gift, regardless of financial compensation. It takes a huge commitment of time and care from the surrogate.