Frequently Asked Questions

  • GS = Gestational surrogate / surrogacy

    TS = Traditional surrogate / surrogacy

    IP = Intended parent

    IM = Intended mother

    IF = Intended father

    PTS = Parents through surrogacy

    P = Parent, normally previously an IP

    PRP = Patient review panel (for Victorian IPs only)

    RTC = Reproductive Technology Council  (for Western Australian IPs only)

    VARTA = Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority

    Surrobub = Baby born through surrogacy

    Dibling = Donor sibling (i.e. children who are biologically connected through donated eggs or sperm)

    IVF = In vitro fertilisation

    ICSI = Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (an alternative to IVF)

    Fourth trimester = The three months post-birth of surrobub

    PO = Parentage order, a legal order required to transfer parentage of surrobub from the surrogate (and partner, if applicable) to the IPs in Australia

  • Surrogacy is absolutely legal. In Australia surrogacy arrangements must be altruistic, meaning that it is illegal to make money from a surrogacy arrangement.

  • This is often the first question that people think of. A person deciding to have a baby for someone else, does not want a baby! They are likely more scared that the IP’s won’t take the baby as the IP’s are that the surrogate will want to keep it!

  • Mostly yes! There are no hard and fast rules, and every team is different. However, since surrogacy is altruistic in Australia, the relationship is not about money, it’s about a common goal to build a family, so it is common for surrogates to stay in contact.

    This may be similar to an aunty type relationship.

  • The world health organisation recommends breast feeding for newborn babies. It is common for surrogates to breast feed surro-babies whilst in hospital, sometimes longer. They may also express milk for some time.

    Sometimes intended mothers induce lactation and breast feed their newborn baby. This is easier said than done,

    It is also not unusual for one or both parties to be uncomfortable with breast feeding. The main thing is to talk it through and agree on whether or not to breast feed.