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The Surrogates Club

Why do women in Canada give birth to somebody else’s baby without getting paid?

In Canada, many women volunteer to give birth to a stranger's child and do not get paid in return. Under Canadian laws, gestational surrogates receive only expenses in exchange for getting pregnant and carrying a baby for nine months. There is an altruistic surrogacy model in place, radically different from commercial surrogacy in other countries.

This forward-thinking country has seen a dramatic increase in surrogacy, with an estimated 400% growth over the last decade, and has welcomed intended parents from all over the globe, who get matched to a Canadian surrogate to go on a life-changing journey together.

Surrogates in Canada are part of a tight-knit community: they get together to share experiences and exchange advice, as the country debates changes in its legislation to respond to the increasing demand of women who volunteer as gestational carriers.

But why do they do it? The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ’s Valeria Perasso follows them as they navigate the emotional challenges of giving life to a baby that they will say goodbye to after birth, and meets the families who will welcome home these special babies.

(Photo: Surrogate mother holds a baby. Credit: Jennifer Jacquot)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Wed 29 Apr 2020 15:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Tue 27 Nov 2018 13:32GMT
  • Tue 27 Nov 2018 18:06GMT
  • Tue 27 Nov 2018 21:06GMT
  • Tue 27 Nov 2018 23:06GMT
  • Wed 28 Nov 2018 02:32GMT
  • Sat 1 Dec 2018 09:32GMT
  • Sun 2 Dec 2018 18:06GMT
  • Fri 24 Apr 2020 02:06GMT
  • Sat 25 Apr 2020 07:06GMT
  • Wed 29 Apr 2020 15:06GMT