By Stephen Beech via SWNS
Surrogate mothers are more likely to suffer severe pregnancy complications, according to a new study.
They are also at higher risk of potentially deadly blood pressure issues while carrying a baby compared to women who conceive without assistance or via IVF, say scientists.
Surrogate mothers, also known as gestational carriers, carry and give birth to children for couples who are otherwise unable to do so.
Until now, little was known about whether surrogate moms and their babies were more likely to suffer potentially life-threatening health issues, both during pregnancy and following birth.
The new study, conducted by Canadian researchers at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and Queen’s University, is one of the first to analyze linked health datasets comparing health outcomes for three different types of conception: unassisted, IVF and surrogacy.
Lead author Dr. Maria Velez said: “The study was prompted by an increased 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.”
The study, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, included more than 863,000 single births at more than 20 weeks’ gestation in Ontario, Canada, between 2012 and 2021.
The group was made up of 97.6% who were conceived without assistance, 1.8% by IVF, and 0.1% using surrogates.
The research team analyzed severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and severe neonatal morbidity (SNM), which combine several health indicators for both moms and babies.
They also assessed blood pressure disorders such as pre-eclampsia), cesarean delivery, preterm birth, and postpartum hemorrhage
The findings showed that the risk of SMM was 2% for the unassisted group, 4% for the IVF group and 8% for the surrogacy group.
The surrogacy group also had a higher risk for blood pressure disorders and postpartum hemorrhage when analyzed separately from SMM.
The researchers also found that although surrogacy was associated with premature birth, there was less clear evidence of a higher risk of SNM.
Dr Velez said: “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.”
She said future research could help to assess whether any of the factors would impact the health of the mom-to-be or the baby.
