Defining the Maternal Role
Following on from our previous blog post, inspired by a recent BBC show which raised the debate about whether a surrogate is a mother, this blog explores that theme in more detail by examining the definition of the Maternal Role. It delves into the difference between what bonds are built in-utero and what bonds are formed through early years caregiving. This piece is part 2 of a 3 part series of blogs written by our Head of Ethics, Kay Read
Defining the Maternal Role
The maternal role is not solely defined by gestation. In same-sex female couples, for instance, both partners may identify as mothers, regardless of who carried the child. This challenges traditional notions of motherhood and highlights that the maternal role encompasses more than biological connection; it includes the commitment to nurture and care for the child. So where does the mother line get drawn? If we know that two separate people, in the same parenting relationship can define themselves, both as mother, despite one not having the experience of gestational carrying, how are we still arguing that motherhood is defined by gestational carrying in surrogacy? I strongly believe that we cannot hold both of these opinions in full equality. If a mother is a mother in this instance, despite no maternal-foetal bond created through gestation, how can the same not apply to an intended parent of a child born through surrogacy?
In surrogacy, the gestational carrier provides the environment for foetal development, while the intended parents assume the role of primary caregivers upon birth. This delineation aligns with findings that a child’s healthy development is more closely linked to the quality of care provided after birth than to prenatal factors alone (1).
While the gestational bond is a unique aspect of pregnancy, it does not singularly define motherhood. The roles of gestational carriers and intended parents are distinct yet complementary, each contributing to the well-being of the child in different ways. It might feel like a huge shift in our thinking, but I truly believe that if you speak to enough surrogates, witness the relationships that they have with the intended parents and take the time to centre the voices of surrogates in all debate around their decision, that there is robust evidence to support the differentiation of roles.
In Utero Experience vs Lifelong Caregivers
Undoubtedly, a child’s in-utero experience significantly influences their lifelong well-being. For instance, stress during pregnancy can lead to increased cortisol levels, which may negatively affect foetal brain development and result in cognitive challenges later in life (2). Conversely, adequate nutrition supports optimal foetal development, reducing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (3).
However, while these prenatal factors are crucial, postnatal caregiving quality and environmental stability play more substantial roles in determining a child’s long-term psychological well-being (4). Research indicates that supporting the mental health of parents and caregivers can avert instances of abuse, neglect, and adverse experiences during childhood, thereby promoting better mental health outcomes for children (5). Additionally, studies have shown that high-quality maternal care can mitigate the negative effects of prenatal psychological distress on child cognitive and emotional development, underscoring the importance of responsive caregiving in the postnatal period (6).
Surrogates, while experiencing the hormonal changes of pregnancy, are both capable and prepared to channel these physiological processes toward fostering healthy foetal development. It’s essential to distinguish between the psychological commitment of carrying a child for someone else and carrying a child with the intent of becoming a parent. In surrogacy, the surrogate’s role is centred on supporting the pregnancy for the intended parents, whereas in traditional pregnancy, the gestational parent anticipates raising the child.
This clear separation of roles allows surrogates to focus on the well-being of the foetus without forming a parental bond. Research indicates that surrogates often employ psychological strategies to maintain this distinction, ensuring a healthy detachment that benefits all parties involved (7). Where this is robustly supported through an experienced surrogacy agency, and particularly one that positions ethical standards as the basis for all of its operations, these psychological strategies are very much at the heart of the support provided.
That concludes part two of our three part blog series on the topic of ‘When does a mother truly become a mother?’ written and created by our Head of Ethics, Kay Read. My Surrogacy Journey encourage you to engage in furthering your education on topics related to surrogacy and hope that you find the references for this part in the series helpful as further reading. Join us soon for the third and conclusive part in the series.
References:
1. Imperial College London. (2023). Female reproductive health research funding statistics.
Retrieved from https://www.imperial.ac.uk
2. Jadva, V., Murray, C., Lycett, E., MacCallum, F., & Golombok, S. (2003). Surrogacy: The experiences of surrogate mothers. Human Reproduction, 18(10), 2196–2204.
Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/18/10/2196/635870
3. Meaney, M. J. (2010). Epigenetics and the Biological Definition of Gene × Environment Interactions. Child Development, 81(1), 41–79.
Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4783284
4. Moog, N. K., et al. (2018). Intergenerational Effect of Maternal Care on Child Brain Development and Function. Nature Neuroscience, 21, 567–574.
Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6381851
5. American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Parents and Caregivers: Partners in Children’s Healthy Development.
Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/families/parents-caregivers-kids-healthy-development
6. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). (2020). Early Childhood Development and Caregiver Influence.
Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551487
7. Weinstock, M. (2010). The Long-Term Behavioral Consequences of Prenatal Stress: Can They Be Prevented? Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.
Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2872196
