There are women who, while maintaining their ovaries normally, do not have a uterus or their uterus is experiencing serious problems. The solution for this category of women is called surrogacy, for the realization of which the contribution of a third woman, the surrogate mother, is necessary.
The surrogate mother carries into her womb the embryo (or embryos) created by the other woman's fertilized egg (with her partner's sperm). It is essentially a form of IVF and success rates range from 30% to 70%. In general, the younger the woman who offers the egg to the surrogate, the higher the success rates.
In Greece, surrogacy has been implemented since 2005. As the relevant legislation stipulates, the couple wishing to have a child in this way must first apply to the Court of First Instance, where they will request that another woman impregnate their genetic material. The basic condition for the request to be approved is for the surrogate mother to be up to 50 years old. However, the law can be made more flexible on the age issue if the National Independent IVF Authority reviews and decides on any exceptions.
As long as the court approves the gestation of the genetic material, the procedure can proceed. As for the ethical part of the venture, the surrogate gives birth, most of the time, by caesarean section. The birth of a child is always accompanied by an emotional bond, which, however, does not exist in this particular case, as the child does not genetically belong to the woman who gives birth to it.
Surrogacy is an act of philanthropy and altruism, an act that brings happiness to people who cannot have children.