What do you think of when you hear the word ‘surrogacy’?
For some families, surrogacy is the only way they will ever hold their biological child.
For others, it represents one of the most controversial issues in modern reproductive medicine.
What do you think of when you hear the word ‘surrogacy’?
March is Surrogacy Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing public understanding of this rapidly growing path to parenthood.
Today, an estimated 20,000 children are born worldwide each year through surrogacy, with a significant share occurring in the United States.
In fact, the use of gestational surrogates in the U.S. has increased more than tenfold over the past two decades. Surrogate embryo transfers reached nearly 11,000 cycles in 2023—more than double the number in 2014.
Yet despite its growth, surrogacy remains one of the most misunderstood areas of reproductive medicine.
The legislative landscape surrounding surrogacy is complex and often contentious. Many countries across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have banned the practice outright—sometimes even imposing criminal penalties. Others allow only altruistic surrogacy, where the surrogate may be reimbursed for expenses but not compensated.
In the United States, the legal framework varies widely by state. Some states—including Michigan, Louisiana, and Nebraska—restrict or prohibit compensated surrogacy, while others such as California, Nevada, Illinois, and Colorado have established legal systems that support it.
Like many areas of reproductive medicine, surrogacy requires thoughtful safeguards and ethical oversight. No woman should ever feel pressured to become a surrogate or have her body used against her will for someone else’s gain.
But it would also be irresponsible to deny this life-giving option to families who genuinely need it.
When issues like this become complex, I turn to the stories of people who have actually lived it. Their experiences reveal the realities behind the headlines—the obstacles, the struggles, and the extraordinary moments of hope.
That’s what awareness is really about.
On Wednesday, I’ll be sitting down with surrogacy coach Arsiak Vartenian to discuss her journey using a surrogate to build the family she always dreamed of.
Her path wasn’t easy. But in her story you’ll hear the determination it took to hold her daughter in her arms—and the incredible woman who helped make that possible.
Join us March 18 at 2pm Eastern for this Live event.
What questions or misconceptions about surrogacy do you think deserve more open discussion?
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