95% of Australian surrogates know the intended parents: researcher

One of the presentations at the recent Fertility Society of Australia conference in Hobart was by renowned fertility counsellor and psychologist Miranda Montrone.

Ms Montrone presented research that she had done about altruistic surrogates in Australia. She had kept records (and consents) of several hundred surrogates over many years. The surrogates came from all socio-economic strata. The statement that surrogates are necessarily poor women was not borne out by her research.

Another interesting statistic was that most were in their late 30’s, older than the intended mothers. 95% of the surrogates had an ongoing relationship with the intended parents- e.g., sister , mother, friend, cousin- and only 5% were strangers found through such means as Facebook groups.

Half of Australian surrogates have post-school qualifications, and half have a higher level occupation.

By comparison:

• altruistic surrogates in the UK were younger, lower social class, less educated, and only 20% had a prior relationship witht he intended parents.
• compensated surroagtes in the US were younger, had a similar education to the Australians, and 10% had a prior relationship
• altruistic surrogates in the Netherlands were younger, and similar prior relationships
• compensated surrogates in India were younger, less educated, and were recruited by an agency
• Compensated surrogates in Mexico were younger, low income, recruited by an agency.