Four Surrogates Share Their Perspectives on the Surrogacy Discourse

Surrogacy has recently gained national attention due to high-profile cases, including Lena Dunham's announcement of using a surrogate and the legal battle involving McKenna West, a gestational surrogate who fled to Texas to avoid a requested abortion. In light of this renewed public interest, The Guardian spoke with surrogates across the US to understand their experiences and views on the ongoing surrogacy discourse.

Liggia Spicer, a 34-year-old from upstate New York, was inspired to become a surrogate after learning about a friend who needed one following a cancer diagnosis and hysterectomy. "I probably did about two years of research before I turned to my husband and was like: ‘OK I think I want to do this,’" she shared. Spicer worked with ConceiveAbilities, where she underwent a rigorous screening process that included background checks and psychological evaluations. Most surrogacy programs require that a woman has previously given birth.

ConceiveAbilities also provided her with legal assistance to create a surrogacy contract, which outlines the rights of both the surrogate and the intended parents, covering aspects such as medical expenses and the presence of intended parents during medical appointments and delivery.