Factors Affecting on Couple’s Decisions to Use Surrogacy: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objective: Our study aimed to clarify of factors affecting decisions to use a surrogate mother can create broad knowledge of this concept.

Materials and methods: For This qualitative research, participants were selected through snowball sampling methods out of couples with a history of using surrogacy as an alternative treatment for having a child. As well, sampling continued until data saturation was reached. Finally, 23 persons participated in study (9 couples, 5 related persons). After selecting the participants and obtaining informed consent, in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted and most of them were recorded with participants’ consent. Then, all the interviews were analyzed using a conventional method.

Results: Content analysis of the statements condenced to 311 codes, 13 subcategories and 5 categories including the absence of parental role, perceived norm, hope for parenting role, mental challenge, and decision to use surrogacy were extracted.

Conclusion: The results indicated that numerous variables had an effect on decision-making process to use a surrogate mother, but the variable of hope for parenting role was an influential concept that not only interacted with other concepts but also caused optimism and motivation in families to decide in this respect.