Scientists from McGill University in Canada have found that surrogate mothers have an increased risk of postpartum sepsis and hemorrhage, as well as dangerous high blood pressure during pregnancy. The study results were published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
Scientists analyzed data on 863,017 singleton births, of which 806 were gestational carriers – surrogate mothers who carry a child for the intended parents. It turned out that the probability of developing severe maternal diseases among such women was 7.8%. Among those who conceived on their own or through in vitro fertilization (IVF), the same risk was reduced by three and two times, respectively.
The researchers clarified that surrogate mothers most often encountered severe postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia (a dangerous increase in blood pressure) and sepsis (a blood infection). It also found that babies born to surrogates had a slightly higher risk of severe embryo-fetal and neonatal infections associated with preterm birth.
