Surrogacy as a Hustle and also a bridge for mothers who cannot give birth.

For many women around the world, the dream of motherhood does not always come easily. Medical conditions, infertility, or complications during pregnancy mean that some women may never carry a child on their own. In such cases, surrogacy has emerged as a life-changing alternative offering hope to couples who might otherwise never experience parenthood.

Yet beyond the science and legal agreements, surrogacy is also a deeply human story. For some women who step forward to become surrogate mothers, the journey is both an act of compassion and, at times, a means of survival.

“Surrogacy gives women who cannot give birth a chance to finally have a child of their own,” says a fertility specialist involved in assisted reproduction programs. “But at the same time, it creates an opportunity for other women to support their families financially.”

In many cases, surrogate mothers are women who already have children of their own but struggle economically. Carrying a pregnancy for another family becomes, for them, both a service and a hustle.

One surrogate mother explained her motivation simply:

“I already have children, but life is expensive. If I can help another woman become a mother and also earn money to educate my own children, then it is something meaningful for me.”

At its core, surrogacy is an assisted reproduction arrangement in which a woman, known as the surrogate, carries a pregnancy for another individual or couple referred to as the intended parents. Most modern arrangements rely on In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), where an embryo is created in a laboratory and then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus.

The process begins with extensive medical screening to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved.

Doctors conduct infectious disease tests such as HIV, Hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. These screenings help prevent transmission of infections to the baby or surrogate while reducing the risk of miscarriage or congenital abnormalities.

“Medical screening is not optional — it is essential for protecting both the surrogate and the baby,” a reproductive health expert notes.

Blood tests also check the ABO blood group and Rh factor to detect incompatibilities that could lead to hemolytic disease in newborns.

Hormonal tests are conducted to assess fertility and ovarian reserve, ensuring the body can support embryo implantation. Genetic screening may also be performed to detect inherited conditions such as Sickle Cell Disease or thalassemia.

Fertility tests follow, including transvaginal ultrasound and antral follicle counts for women providing eggs, as well as semen analysis for sperm providers.

For the surrogate mother herself, doctors evaluate the uterus through pelvic ultrasound, hysteroscopy or hysterosalpingography to confirm it is capable of carrying a pregnancy.

Psychological counseling is another critical stage. Specialists ensure the surrogate understands the emotional implications of carrying a child for someone else.

“Surrogacy is not just a medical process  it is an emotional journey,” one counselor explains. “Everyone involved must be prepared for the psychological realities of the arrangement.”

                             Legal Agreements and Responsibilities

Before any medical procedures begin, a formal surrogacy agreement is signed between the surrogate and the intended parents. The contract outlines parental rights, financial arrangements, medical responsibilities and how complications will be handled.

In many legal systems, the woman who gives birth is initially recognized as the child’s legal mother. As a result, additional legal processes may be required to transfer parental rights to the intended parents.

In countries such as Kenya, legal frameworks governing surrogacy are still evolving, leaving some families navigating uncertain legal territory.

“We need clearer laws to protect surrogate mothers, intended parents, and the children born through these arrangements,” a legal expert on reproductive rights says.

                                       From Fertilization to Birth

The medical process begins with ovarian stimulation if the intended mother or an egg donor is providing eggs. Fertility medications such as Clomiphene and Gonadotropins are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.

Doctors then retrieve the mature eggs through a minor surgical procedure using ultrasound guidance.

The eggs are fertilized in the laboratory using In Vitro Fertilization, and in some cases Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is used, where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.

Some embryos undergo Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) to identify chromosomal abnormalities and increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy.

To prepare the uterus for implantation, the surrogate receives hormone therapy such as Estrogen and Progesterone.

Doctors then perform an Embryo Transfer, placing the embryo into the surrogate’s uterus.

Two weeks later, a Beta-hCG Test confirms whether pregnancy has occurred.

If successful, the surrogate continues with regular antenatal care, where doctors monitor for complications such as Gestational Diabetes, Preeclampsia, and Postpartum Hemorrhage.

Eventually, the baby is delivered through vaginal birth or Cesarean Section, after which the child is handed over to the intended parents according to the legal agreement.

                                       Social Pressures and Emotional Challenges

Despite the hope it offers, surrogacy can come with intense social pressure. Surrogate mothers often face criticism or misunderstanding from relatives and neighbors.

“Some people told me I was selling a baby, which hurt deeply,” one surrogate mother shared. “But the truth is I was helping a family who had waited years for a child.”

Family members sometimes worry about the emotional toll of giving up the baby after birth.

“It can be difficult for relatives to understand how a woman can carry a baby for nine months and then hand the child over,” a social worker says. Others fear the medical risks associated with pregnancy, including complications such as Preeclampsia or Postpartum Hemorrhage.

                                             Hope Amid Complexity

Despite the challenges and debates surrounding the practice, surrogacy continues to offer life-changing possibilities.

For couples struggling with infertility, it may be the only path to having a biological child. For surrogate mothers, it can represent both an economic opportunity and a chance to help another family experience the joy of parenthood.

As one intended mother who became a parent through surrogacy said emotionally:
“The woman who carried our child gave us a gift we could never repay  the chance to become a family.”

In the end, surrogacy sits at the intersection of medicine, ethics, law and human compassion  a reminder that behind every medical procedure lies a deeply personal story of hope, sacrifice and new beginnings.