Many aspiring parents must put substantial trust in the women they retain as surrogates. After all, the veracity of the details disclosed about a woman’s medical history and her ability to comply with medical instructions during the pregnancy may have a long-term impact on the health of any children they deliver.
As such, those preparing for surrogacy may worry about decisions that could cause harm during pregnancy, including alcohol consumption. Surrogacy contracts play an important role in guiding the conduct of a surrogate and establishing reasonable expectations for how she behaves while preparing for medical procedures and during a pregnancy.
Contracts often forbid alcohol.
It is normal for surrogacy contracts to impose a total prohibition on alcohol and recreational drug consumption. In some cases, medical recommendations may even include reducing the dosage of prescription medication or changing the medications the surrogate takes.
The possibility of a surrogate struggling with lifestyle changes during pregnancy is one reason why selecting a professional surrogate screened by an outside service may be safer than working with a friend or family member in a surrogacy situation. Most surrogacy contracts require absolute abstention from alcohol and any other medications not deemed necessary during pregnancy.
In cases where surrogates violate this prohibition, they may face penalties. The consequences alone can be enough to deter many people from choosing to drink. Aspiring parents may need to speak with multiple candidates before they meet someone they feel they can trust.
Understanding legal options is easier when there is a professional available to explain the contractual and statutory rules that govern surrogacy arrangements. An attorney can help prospective parents evaluate agreements and work to better ensure their protection when expanding their families through surrogacy.