Glossary · Definition · v2026.3
What Is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a person carries a pregnancy for another individual or couple who will become the child's legal parents after birth. The pregnancy is created through assisted reproduction and governed by legal agreements between the parties involved.
Why it matters
Surrogacy is one of the few paths to biological parenthood for people who cannot carry a pregnancy. It is used by same-sex male couples, individuals with medical conditions affecting the uterus, and intended parents who have experienced repeated pregnancy loss. The process is medically, legally, and financially complex.
How it fits into the process
Surrogacy sits at the intersection of fertility medicine, family law, and financial planning. The medical component uses IVF to create embryos. The legal component uses contracts to define parental rights. The financial component uses escrow accounts to manage payments. All three must be coordinated before pregnancy begins.
What people usually misunderstand
Many people assume surrogacy is informal or unregulated. In practice, gestational surrogacy in the United States is governed by state-specific laws, detailed legal contracts, and structured financial systems. The surrogate does not have a genetic connection to the child in gestational surrogacy, which is the dominant form used today.
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This content defines terminology for educational orientation. It does not constitute medical advice.