Why  Women Become Surrogates

Why women become surrogates is a question that highlights the balance between altruism and the love of pregnancy. More women than ever before are volunteering to be surrogates, not only for close friends or family but also for strangers, as part of a quiet revolution in the field of family building that has been taking place in recent years. What used to be seen as an uncommon and extremely specialised act of kindness is now being recognised and celebrated more widely. What is the cause of this rise in selfless surrogacy, then?

A Post-Pandemic Shift in Perspective

According to data from Surrogacy UK, the number of women applying to become surrogates skyrocketed from just 75 in 2020 to over 600 in 2021. Experts suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic played a major role in this shift. With more time spent at home and a renewed focus on community and empathy, many women began reevaluating how they could make a meaningful impact on others’ lives.

Motivated by Empathy and Connection

For many surrogates, the decision is deeply personal. Some have witnessed loved ones struggle with infertility and feel compelled to help. Others simply enjoy being pregnant and want to use that experience to bring joy to families who otherwise couldn’t have children. The act of carrying a child for someone else is often described as life-affirming, empowering, and emotionally rewarding.

Common motivations include:

• A love for pregnancy and a desire to experience it again without expanding their own family
• Empathy for those facing infertility, especially friends or family members
• A sense of purpose and pride in helping others build their families
• The desire to set an example of generosity and compassion for their children

Not Just About Money

While surrogacy can come with financial compensation, most agencies carefully screen applicants to ensure their motives go beyond monetary gain. The process is rigorous, involving medical evaluations, psychological screenings, and legal contracts. Women who volunteer often describe the experience as transformative—not just for the intended parents, but for themselves.

Building Lifelong Bonds

Surrogacy is more than a transaction—it’s a relationship. Many surrogates and intended parents form lasting friendships that extend well beyond the birth. Online communities and support groups have also flourished, offering surrogates a space to share their journeys, celebrate milestones, and connect with others who understand the emotional depth of the experience.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

As surrogacy becomes more common, countries like the UK and India are reevaluating their legal frameworks to protect both surrogates and intended parents. Ethical surrogacy hinges on transparency, informed consent, and mutual respect. The rise in volunteer surrogacy has prompted calls for clearer guidelines and better support systems to ensure everyone involved is treated fairly.

The growing number of women volunteering to be surrogates is a testament to the power of empathy, community, and human connection. Whether driven by personal experience, a love of pregnancy, or a desire to help others, these women are reshaping the narrative around surrogacy—making it less about contracts and more about compassion.

FAQs: Why  Women Become Surrogates

1. Why is surrogacy becoming more popular?

Applications from women wanting to be surrogates have grown sharply in recent years. For example, in the UK, numbers jumped from 75 in 2020 to over 600 in 2021. The rise is linked to:

• Extra time during the pandemic (remote work and furloughs made medical visits easier).
• More visibility through TV shows, films, and celebrity surrogacy stories has helped normalize the process.
• Interest among women who don’t want more children of their own but enjoy pregnancy and want to help others.

2. What motivates women to become surrogates?

Women step into surrogacy for different but often overlapping reasons:

• Altruism – wanting to give the gift of parenthood to those struggling with infertility.
• Love of pregnancy – some women enjoy being pregnant even if they don’t want to raise another child.
• Emotional reward – the joy of making a life-changing difference for another family.
• Financial help – in commercial surrogacy arrangements, compensation (often $60k–$80k) helps women meet personal or family goals.
• Community bonds – many surrogates develop close, lifelong ties with intended parents or other surrogates.

3. Do some women do it simply for the pregnancy experience?

Yes. In places like Australia, where surrogacy is not paid, many women describe a deep longing to be pregnant again without wanting to expand their own family. This “not ready to be done” feeling often blends with their desire to help others.

4. What challenges can surrogates face?

While rewarding, surrogacy isn’t without difficulties:

• Physical demands – pregnancy, medical procedures, and recovery can be tough.
• Emotional complexity – some surrogates use strategies to create emotional boundaries, while others may struggle with attachment after birth.
• Legal and social issues – depending on the country, laws and societal attitudes can create extra stress.

5. What do surrogates themselves say?

Many describe it as both practical and emotional:

• “I want to be a surrogate to help someone who can’t have kids. The money just makes the pregnancy easier to manage.”
• “If there was no pay, I’d be covering thousands in costs myself—it’s fair that compensation helps balance that out.”
• “I wasn’t aware of how diverse the families seeking surrogacy are—gay men, trans women, and couples with medical struggles. That opened my eyes.”

6. What’s the bigger picture?

The growing interest reflects a blend of compassion, personal fulfillment, financial support, and cultural acceptance. Whether helping a close friend or a stranger, surrogates highlight the extraordinary human capacity for empathy and connection.