Editing Surrogacy (section)

== Risks ==

=== Embryo ===
The embryo implanted in gestational surrogacy faces the same risks as anyone using [[IVF]] would. Preimplantation risks of the embryo include unintentional epigenetic effects, influence of media which the embryo is cultured on, and undesirable consequences of invasive manipulation of the embryo. Often, multiple embryos are transferred to increase the chance of implantation, and if multiple gestations occur, both the surrogate and the embryos face higher risks of complications.<ref name=":22">{{Cite journal|last1=Simopoulou|first1=M.|last2=Sfakianoudis|first2=K.|last3=Tsioulou|first3=P.|last4=Rapani|first4=A.|last5=Anifandis|first5=G.|last6=Pantou|first6=A.|last7=Bolaris|first7=S.|last8=Bakas|first8=P.|last9=Deligeoroglou|first9=E.|date=2018-07-17|title=Risks in Surrogacy Considering the Embryo: From the Preimplantation to the Gestational and Neonatal Period|journal=BioMed Research International|volume=2018|pages=6287507|doi=10.1155/2018/6287507|issn=2314-6133|pmc=6077588|pmid=30112409|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Children born through singleton IVF surrogacy have been shown to have no physical or mental abnormalities compared to those children born through natural conception. However, children born through multiple gestation in gestational carriers often result in preterm labor and delivery, resulting in prematurity and physical or mental anomalies.<ref name=":22" />

=== Surrogate mothers ===
Gestational surrogates have a smaller chance of having [[Hypertensive disease of pregnancy|hypertensive disorder during pregnancy]] compared to mothers pregnant by [[Egg donation|oocyte donation]]. This is possibly because gestational carriers tend to be healthier and more fertile than women who use oocyte donation. Gestational carriers also have low rates of [[placenta praevia|placenta previa]] / [[placental abruption]]s (1.1–7.9%).<ref name=":82">{{Cite journal |last1=Söderström-Anttila |first1=Viveca |last2=Wennerholm |first2=Ulla-Britt |last3=Loft |first3=Anne |last4=Pinborg |first4=Anja |last5=Aittomäki |first5=Kristiina |last6=Romundstad |first6=Liv Bente |last7=Bergh |first7=Christina |date=March 2016 |title=Surrogacy: outcomes for surrogate mothers, children and the resulting families-a systematic review |journal=Human Reproduction Update |volume=22 |issue=2 |pages=260–276 |doi=10.1093/humupd/dmv046 |issn=1460-2369 |pmid=26454266 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

In most countries, such as China, there exists a huge gap in the legal framework between the legislation and regulation for surrogacy. Due to insufficient authority supervision, surrogacy and the safety of surrogate mothers lack of professional support or reliable operation, the medical conditions cannot be achieved either. All these precarious factors increase the safety risks of artificial surgeries such as egg retrieval and insemination. Moreover, the underground contracts can inflict serious physiological harm on surrogate mothers. Surrogacy agencies ignore surrogate mothers' health risks and deaths: enforced foetal sex selection through forced abortions are very common,<ref name=":25">{{Cite journal |last=Zhao |first=Yue |date=2023-11-15 |title=Protection of rights and legal remedies for surrogate mothers in China |journal=Humanities and Social Sciences Communications |language=en |volume=10 |issue=1 |doi=10.1057/s41599-023-02370-x |issn=2662-9992|doi-access=free }}</ref> and multiple implantations and foetal reduction procedures may also be repeated on the same surrogate mother, causing health hazards such as miscarriage, infertility, and even death.