Surrogacy becoming a more popular option in the Netherlands

A total of 165 children were born through surrogacy between 2017 and 2022 in the Netherlands. This came forth from research conducted by the University of Leiden, who were assigned to do so by the Research and Data Centre (WODC). The researchers saw that the number of children born through a surrogate mother has increased during that time.

The scientists emphasized that the number of 165 is probably an underestimation. It is, therefore, possible that some of the surrogacy processes take place outside the view of the authorities. The researchers estimate that 30 to 50 Dutch children are born each year with the help of a surrogate mother.

Discussions with the people involved were also a part of the study. This was to see how they experienced the surrogacy process. The results of this discussion were that both the surrogate mothers and the intended parents were generally happy about the process but that there is a need for legal regulation for surrogacy arrangements.

The Cabinet submitted a bill for such a scheme last year, but this proposal still has some “points of attention,” according to the research. For example, there are concerns about the supervision of what exactly happens when it comes to the maximum compensation that intended parents pay to a surrogate mother.

In addition, the researchers wonder whether the right of children to have information about their ancestry is sufficiently guaranteed in the bill, for example, if the child was born abroad. They, therefore, state that it is a necessity to submit a DNA test so that it is clear to the child where it has come from.

"The investigations into abuses in intercountry adoption have previously shown how distressing situations can be when things go wrong. An effective regulation for surrogacy and sufficient supervision of its implementation is therefore important."

Surrogacy is banned in many countries. In Italy, where surrogacy has been banned since 2004, a bill was passed this week which also bans couples from searching for a surrogate in other countries. People who do decide to do this risk prosecution when returning home.