Study Reveals Increased Mental Health Risks for Surrogates in Canada

A recent study conducted by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), McGill University, and the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) has found that gestational carriers, commonly known as surrogates, face a heightened risk of being diagnosed with new mental illnesses during and after pregnancy. This research, which is the first large-scale examination utilizing Ontario-based health data, highlights significant mental health challenges among this group as the popularity of surrogacy continues to rise.

Published in JAMA Network Open, the study analyzed data from 767,406 births at over 20 weeks of gestation in Ontario from 2012 to 2021. The research included gestational carriers, women who conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and those who conceived without assistance. Among these, 0.1% were gestational carriers, while the majority, 97.6%, were conceived naturally.

Dr. Maria Velez, a scientist in the Child Health and Human Development Program at the MUHC and lead author of the study, stated, "Our findings underscore the importance of adequate screening and counselling of potential gestational carriers before pregnancy about the possibility of a new-onset mental illness, or exacerbation of a prior mental illness during or after pregnancy."

The results indicated that nearly 20% of gestational carriers had a prior mental illness diagnosis before pregnancy, with some having serious conditions that could potentially disqualify them from being surrogates. This raises critical questions about the screening processes currently in place for women considering surrogacy.

The incidence rate of new-onset mental illness was measured at 6.9 per 100 person-years among gestational carriers, compared to 5.2 for non-gestational carriers who conceived without assistance and 5.0 for those who conceived via IVF. Alarmingly, the study discovered that fewer than half of those seeking emergency care for mental health issues post-childbirth received timely follow-up treatment, leaving many vulnerable during a crucial time.

The study's conclusions stress the need for improved mental health support for gestational carriers throughout their pregnancy journey. The authors advocate for new guidelines that would ensure comprehensive mental health resources are available.

This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and supported by ICES, which is backed by an annual grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Long-Term Care. The findings are expected to have significant implications for the future of surrogacy practices and the mental health support systems in place for gestational carriers.

In conclusion, as surrogacy becomes an increasingly common family-building option, it is imperative that the mental health needs of gestational carriers are addressed. The insights from this study provide a foundation for further research and policy development aimed at safeguarding the well-being of those who undertake the surrogacy journey.