Georgia Surrogate Mother Services: Professional Guide & Global Fertility Solutions
I. Legal Framework and Legality of Surrogacy in Georgia
Georgia has legalized surrogacy since 1997, making it one of the few countries in the world that explicitly supports commercial surrogacy. Its legal system is centered on protecting the rights and interests of the commissioning parents, and provides a high degree of transparency and legal security for international clients.
Core points of the law:
Clear attribution of parental rights: the surrogate mother does not have any legal parental rights, and the birth certificate only registers the name of the commissioning parents without the consent of the surrogate mother.
Simplified birth registration process: the birth certificate can be issued within 1 day after the birth of the baby, and the commissioning parents only need to provide the surrogacy agreement, the certificate of embryo transfer, and the record of delivery to complete the legal process8.
Flexibility in the source of embryos: the use of donor eggs or sperm is permitted and the law does not restrict the nationality or marital status of the commissioning parents.
Legal Advantages:
Avoids paternity disputes common in transnational surrogacy.
The legal process is efficient and the commissioning parents can quickly complete identification and leave the country with the baby.
II. the recruitment requirements and screening criteria for surrogate mothers
Surrogate mothers in Georgia need to meet strict physical and psychological conditions to ensure the safety and success of the surrogacy process.
- Basic Qualification Requirements:
Married and childbearing: Surrogates must have at least one healthy child to prove their fertility and reduce the risk of pregnancy.
Age Limit: Usually 21 to 35 years old, some agencies accept under 40 years old but require additional health assessment.
Health Screening: Includes testing for infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis B), gynecological exams, mental health assessments, and family genetic history checks.
- Psychological and social background screening:
Agencies assess the surrogate mother’s motivation (e.g., financial need or willingness to help) through an interview to rule out potential emotional risks.
Some agencies require surrogates to sign confidentiality agreements to avoid non-essential contact with the commissioning parents or the baby.
III. Surrogacy Process Management and Medical Service System
Surrogacy services in Georgia are known for their medical professionalism and full management, with processes covering the full cycle of support from matching to delivery.
- Standardized surrogacy process:
Matching and contract signing: the agency matches suitable surrogate mothers according to the needs of the commissioning parents (e.g. genetic preference) and signs a legal agreement to clarify the responsibilities and compensation terms of both parties.
Medical steps: including embryo transfer, hormone support therapy, regular labor and delivery tests (e.g. ultrasound, Down’s syndrome) and birth plan development.
- Medical team and facilities:
Sophisticated IVF technology: Georgia’s fertility clinics commonly use third-generation IVF technology (PGT), which screens embryos for genetic disorders and selects gender.
Multidisciplinary collaboration: Obstetricians, reproductive endocrinologists and counselors are involved in the health management of surrogate mothers.
- Risk management measures:
Pregnancy complication plan: the agency develops emergency plans for risks such as preterm labor and multiple pregnancies, and establishes cooperation with local tertiary hospitals.
HIV and other special case management: If the commissioning parents are virus carriers, the agency needs to ensure that the surrogate mother is informed and takes additional medical protection.
IV. Day-to-day management and residential support for surrogate mothers
Surrogacy agencies in Georgia provide a full range of life support to optimize the physical and mental state of the surrogate mother.
- Residential and nutritional management:
Dedicated accommodation facilities: Surrogate mothers usually stay in apartments or group homes arranged by the agency with 24-hour nursing staff.
Customized diet plan: A dietitian designs a high-protein, low-sugar meal plan and supplements folic acid, iron, and other essential nutrients during pregnancy.
- Psychological and social support:
Psychological counseling services: regular communication with a psychologist to relieve stress caused by separation anxiety or social stigma.
Social support network: Through online forums or offline groups, surrogate mothers can share experiences and receive emotional support.
V. Market Status and Industry Challenges
The surrogacy industry in Georgia has been growing rapidly in recent years, but along with the opportunities come industry disruptions that need to be guarded against.
- Market Demand and Competitive Landscape:
Alternative to the Ukrainian market: affected by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Georgia has become the first choice of European and Asian clients, with more than 2,000 cases of surrogacy registered annually.
Significant price advantage: compared with western countries, its service cost is lower, attracting middle and high-end customer groups.
- Challenges of industry standardization:
Institutional qualifications vary: there are a large number of small intermediaries in the market, and the lack of standardized operating procedures has led to frequent cases of damage to the rights and interests of pregnant mothers.
Risk of transnational fraud: some criminal groups lure Southeast Asian women to participate in illegal egg harvesting or surrogacy by offering high salaries, so it is necessary to choose reputable agencies to avoid the risk.
Successful Cases and Ethical Considerations
- Typical Successful Cases:
International family case: a European couple obtained twins through surrogacy in Georgia, the whole process took only 14 months and the legal process was seamless.
Complex Medical Needs: A commissioned father carrying a genetic disease was screened for healthy embryos through PGT technology and successfully delivered by a surrogate mother.
- Ethical and social controversies:
Protection of the rights and interests of pregnant mothers: some organizations withhold compensation or neglect post-natal care, calling for the industry to establish a third-party monitoring mechanism.
Cultural conflict: Georgian society is conservative, surrogate mothers may face rejection by relatives and friends, and education on social inclusion needs to be strengthened.
VII. How to choose a safe surrogacy service in Georgia
Verify the qualifications of the organization: Confirm that it is certified by the Ministry of Health and is a member of the International Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
Review the terms of the contract: Ensure that the surrogate mother’s medical expenses, insurance and compensation are clearly outlined.
Site visit facilities: Prefer agencies that offer a transparent process and allow clients to tour the medical and residential environments.
Conclusion
Surrogate motherhood services in Georgia have become an important option in the field of assisted reproduction globally due to its legal advantages, medical expertise and cost-effectiveness. However, commissioning parents need to carefully assess the credibility of the agency and focus on the rights and well-being of the mother in order to achieve a balance between ethics and technology.
