New Study Finds Surrogates May Face More Pregnancy Risks, Says Dr. Maria Velez
Kingston, Jamaica, September 24: New research from ICES and Queen’s University reveals that individuals who act as gestational carriers, also known as surrogates, may experience more severe complications during pregnancy and the early postpartum period compared to those who conceive naturally or through in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Gestational carriers help those who cannot carry a pregnancy by becoming pregnant and giving birth to their offspring. However, it is unclear if there is a higher risk of serious health issues for both the newborns and the gestational carriers during and after pregnancy.
This study is one of the first significant population-based studies to compare health outcomes for three different methods of conception: unassisted, IVF, and gestational carriage. The research analyzed health databases and included 863,017 singleton births at more than 20 weeks’ gestation in Ontario, Canada, between 2012 and 2021. The groups studied were 846,124 (97.6%) conceived without assistance, 16,087 (1.8%) by IVF, and 806 (0.1%) using gestational carriers.
Lead author Dr. Maria Velez, an adjunct scientist at ICES and an associate professor at Queen’s University during the study, stated, “The study was prompted by an increase in the use of gestational carriers worldwide and a lack of information about the impact of this reproductive modality on pregnancy outcomes for the gestational carrier and the offspring.” Dr. Velez is now an associate professor and clinician scientist at McGill University and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC).
The researchers examined severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and severe neonatal morbidity (SNM), which include various health indicators for both birthing people and babies. They also assessed hypertensive disorders, cesarean delivery, preterm birth, and postpartum hemorrhage.
One limitation of the study was the lack of information on why gestational carriage was chosen, egg and sperm donor sources, the type of IVF used, and reasons for becoming gestational carriers. Future research could help determine if these factors impact health outcomes for the pregnant person or the baby.
Dr. Velez emphasized, “Clinicians involved in the care of individuals and couples who need a gestational carrier to build their family should counsel their patients and the gestational carriers about the potential risk during pregnancy and early postpartum.” She added, “There are guidelines about the eligibility criteria to minimize the risk of pregnancy complications among gestational carriers. However, these guidelines are not always strictly followed.”
The study, “Severe Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity Among Gestational Carriers: A Cohort Study,” was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Doubts Revealed
Surrogates -: Surrogates are women who carry and give birth to a baby for someone else who cannot have a baby on their own.
Gestational carriers -: Gestational carriers are another term for surrogates. They carry a baby that is not genetically related to them.
IVF -: IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilization. It’s a process where an egg and sperm are combined outside the body to create an embryo, which is then placed in a woman’s uterus.
ICES -: ICES stands for the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. It’s a research institute in Canada that studies health data to improve healthcare.
Queen’s University -: Queen’s University is a well-known university in Canada, located in Kingston, Ontario. It is known for its research and education.
Dr. Maria Velez -: Dr. Maria Velez is a researcher and doctor who led the study about the risks surrogates face during pregnancy.
Ontario -: Ontario is a province in Canada. It’s like a state in India, and it has many cities, including Toronto and Ottawa.
Maternal and neonatal morbidity -: Maternal morbidity means health problems that happen to the mother during pregnancy or after giving birth. Neonatal morbidity means health problems that happen to the baby after birth.
Hypertensive disorders -: Hypertensive disorders are health problems related to high blood pressure during pregnancy. It can be dangerous for both the mother and the baby.
Cesarean delivery -: Cesarean delivery, or C-section, is a surgery where the baby is born through a cut made in the mother’s belly and uterus.
Preterm birth -: Preterm birth is when a baby is born too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. It can cause health problems for the baby.
Postpartum hemorrhage -: Postpartum hemorrhage is heavy bleeding that happens after a woman gives birth. It can be very serious and needs medical attention.
Counseling -: Counseling means talking to someone who can give advice and support. In this case, it means helping surrogates understand the risks and how to stay healthy.
Guidelines -: Guidelines are rules or advice that help people know the best way to do something. Here, it means advice for doctors and surrogates to keep the pregnancy safe.