Surrogacy and mental health
While motherhood itself is a roller-coaster ride, opting for the surrogacy process to fulfil your motherhood dreams also comes with its set of emotional upheavals. The mental well-being of the intended parents becomes a matter of concern, as does the psychological vulnerability of the surrogate.
According to Kanchan Rai, Mental and Emotional Wellbeing Coach, commitment, attachment and readiness are vital for the parenthood process.
“The bond of attachment between a mother and her child begins to take shape long before the baby is born. For nine months, in the mother’s womb, the relationship is built through sounds, kicks and flutters etc. And as their deep and affectionate bond evolves with time, the psychological connection makes the parents care for and nurture the baby to provide him or her a sense of security and safety,” Rai, Founder – Let Us Talk, tells HealthShots.
But what happens in surrogacy where the mother and the baby do not get to develop the required physical bond?
“It is most likely that the new parents have fought harder than most to become a parent and have been waiting for this moment for quite some time. In many cases, as diagnosed by experts, during the process of surrogacy, intended parents suffer from postpartum depression as well as mental and physical stress,” explains Rai.
Symptoms may include:
* Depression and mood swings
* Insomnia
* Loss of appetite or eating too much
* Intense irritability and/or anxiety
* Difficulty bonding with the baby
After an emotional roller-coaster of mixed emotions and a sense of worry for the new baby in your life, returning to normalcy needs gentle caring.
