what happens if u get pregnant with more than one?

by rachel
(cape coral)

and they only want one baby

Reply by Rayven

This is a very good question, and one that must be answered on a case by case basis BEFORE the pregnancy, during the contract phase of surrogacy.

Multiples are extremely common in surrogacy. I've had twins, and several of my surrogate friends have had triplets. A few have had quadruplets or more.

Some intended parents would prefer to do selective reduction in the event of triplets or more (usually twins are OK). Some surrogates are OK with that, while others are against selective reduction or abortion for any reason. This is why it is critical to have this discussion BEFORE pregnancy. A surrogate MUST match with intended parents who feel the same way, and all of this MUST be placed into the surrogacy agreement.

At the end of the day, if the parents want to reduce and the surrogate does not, it is the surrogate's body and her choice. She can choose to carry and delivery, even without the approval of the intended parents. If they refuse their child(ren) (yes, this has happened!!) then she can involve social services and have the baby(ies) placed up for adoption. (yes, this has happened!!)

But, if the surrogate agreed in the contract to reduce if the parents wanted, but decided not to when the time came, she could be held financially liable for all the costs associated with the surrogacy, or whatever repercussions her contract stipulates. The parents would still be responsible for their children.

The easy way to avoid any of this conflict is simply to discuss all possibilities during matching, match with intended parents who feel the same way as you, never sign any documents you don't 100% agree with, and don't transfer more embryos than babies you are willing to carry.