sijaissynnyttäjää

Sijaissynnyttäjä refers to a surrogate mother in Finnish. This is a woman who carries and gives birth to a child for another person or couple, who will then become the child's legal parents. There are two main types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother is the biological mother of the child, as her egg is used in the fertilization process, typically through artificial insemination with the intended father's sperm. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother has no biological connection to the child. An embryo is created using eggs and sperm from the intended parents or donors, and is then implanted into the surrogate's uterus.

The legal framework surrounding surrogacy varies significantly by country. In Finland, where the term sijaissynnyttäjä originates, surrogacy is not explicitly regulated by law, and commercial surrogacy is prohibited. The intended parents may face challenges in establishing legal parentage after the birth, often requiring adoption procedures. Ethical considerations are also prominent in discussions about surrogacy, including issues of consent, exploitation, and the welfare of the child. Surrogacy arrangements can be altruistic, where the surrogate mother receives no payment beyond expenses, or they can involve compensation. The decision to enter into a surrogacy arrangement is a significant one, involving medical, legal, and emotional complexities for all parties involved.