‘What a Gift to Give’: For a Woman Struggling with Infertility, a Sister’s Unexpected Offer of Surrogacy Brings New Hope

October 5, 2022

(STAT News) – Surrogacy has grown more common in the U.S., but still remains relatively rare. The most recent data, from 2013, suggests there were over 30,000 IVF cycles involving a carrier that year. But it remains an emotionally taxing, time-consuming, and incredibly costly path to pursue — so some, like Gatton, have turned to relatives to carry their children. While there’s little to no data on how many surrogates personally know the intended parents, fertility care experts said such a relationship can make it easier and more affordable to move forward, and comes with a kind of built-in trust that is crucial to making shared decisions. But it also brings its own set of challenges, as close-knit families have to navigate new dynamics and unexpected complications. (Read More)