Erika's Surrogacy Story: From Altruism to Exploitation

Erika, like so many surrogate mothers, came to her surrogate pregnancy out of altruism. The intended parents' story of tragedy--losing a brother who had wanted children, and making the decision to create a child with his DNA through surrogacy--really spoke to her. Soon however, issues with the contract made her realize that the generosity in the agreement went one way, with the intended parents insisting on restricting her movement to within a certain radius, and preventing her from seeking supportive medical care, among other violations. Meanwhile, Erika's health was rapidly deteriorating, as her surrogacy was not at all like her two prior healthy pregnancies. The arrangement ended in financial desperation and complete collapse of her health, with hyperemesis gravidarum, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, outcomes which are more common in surrogate pregnancies, although of course no one in the fertility industry warned her of these risks. Listen to Erika's story in her own words.