When Did Surrogacy Start? A Brief History of Surrogacy
Introduction
Many people exploring family building ask a fascinating question: when did surrogacy start? While modern surrogacy involves advanced medical technology, the concept of one woman carrying a child for another family is much older than many realize.
Understanding the history of surrogacy helps clarify how today’s gestational surrogacy process evolved and why legal and medical standards are structured the way they are. This article explores the origins of surrogacy, how it changed over time, and how modern procedures developed.
Ancient Surrogacy: Early References
Surrogacy is not a new idea. Some of the earliest references appear in ancient religious texts and historical records.
One well known example is the story of Sarah and Hagar in the Hebrew Bible. Similar arrangements appeared in other ancient societies where infertility was addressed through third party childbearing.
These early forms of surrogacy were:
• Informal and socially arranged
• Often tied to marriage customs
• Based on traditional surrogacy
• Not regulated by law
In these cases, the surrogate typically used her own egg, which aligns with what we now call traditional surrogacy.
What Is Traditional Surrogacy in Historical Context
When people ask what is traditional surrogacy, they are describing the earliest form of surrogacy.
Traditional surrogacy involves:
• The surrogate providing her own egg
• Conception through natural means or insemination
• A genetic link between surrogate and child
Historically, this was the only possible form of surrogacy because medical technology did not allow egg retrieval or embryo transfer.
Modern Surrogacy Begins in the 20th Century
Modern medical surrogacy began in the 1900s with advances in artificial insemination. However, the real turning point came with the development of in vitro fertilization, or IVF.
In 1978, the birth of the first IVF baby changed reproductive medicine forever. IVF made it possible to separate genetics from pregnancy, which later led to the development of the gestational surrogacy procedure.
Key milestones include:
• 1970s development of IVF
• 1980s first gestational surrogacy cases
• Expansion of legal frameworks in the 1990s
• Growth of international surrogacy programs in the 2000s
These innovations laid the foundation for today’s IVF surrogacy process.
Traditional vs Gestational Surrogacy
Understanding history also helps explain the difference between traditional vs gestational surrogacy.
Traditional surrogacy:
• Uses the surrogate’s egg
• Creates a genetic link
• Often involves insemination
Gestational surrogacy:
• Uses an embryo created through IVF
• Separates genetics from pregnancy
• Involves embryo transfer
Today, gestational surrogacy is far more common because it reduces legal and emotional complications.
How Does Surrogacy Work Today
Modern surrogacy is highly structured compared to ancient practices.
When people ask how does surrogacy work, the answer involves coordinated legal and medical steps.
The modern surrogacy process step by step includes:
• Consultation and education
• Matching with a surrogate
• Legal agreements
• IVF and embryo transfer
• Pregnancy and birth
This structure did not exist in early surrogacy history.
How Does a Surrogate Mother Get Pregnant
In ancient times, pregnancy occurred naturally or through traditional insemination. Today, most arrangements use IVF.
The modern medical steps include:
• Ovarian stimulation for egg retrieval
• Fertilization in a laboratory
• Embryo development
• Embryo transfer into the surrogate
This process is often called the IVF surrogacy procedure or gestational surrogacy process.
Legal Evolution of Surrogacy
As surrogacy became more common in the late 20th century, legal systems had to adapt.
In the 1980s and 1990s, court cases shaped how contracts and parental rights were handled. Over time, certain states developed clearer frameworks.
For example:
• California developed supportive surrogacy laws
• Surrogacy in Illinois gained statutory clarity
• Surrogacy in Georgia evolved through legal practice rather than detailed statutes
Legal development continues to shape how surrogacy operates today.
Insurance and Modern Complexity
Ancient surrogacy did not involve insurance policies or medical billing. Modern surrogacy requires careful coordination.
Many families now ask:
• does insurance cover surrogacy
• is surrogacy covered by insurance
Insurance considerations have become part of the structured surrogacy program, adding complexity compared to historical arrangements.
Why Surrogacy Has Grown in Popularity
Several factors contributed to surrogacy’s expansion:
• Advances in IVF technology
• Growing social acceptance
• Increased legal clarity
• LGBTQ+ family building
• Greater awareness of infertility options
Today’s surrogacy process for intended parents reflects decades of medical and legal refinement.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did surrogacy start
Surrogacy dates back to ancient societies, but modern medical surrogacy began in the late 20th century with the development of IVF.
Was traditional surrogacy the first type
Yes. Traditional surrogacy existed long before gestational surrogacy became possible through IVF.
How did IVF change surrogacy
IVF allowed embryos to be created outside the body, making gestational surrogacy possible and reducing genetic complications.
Conclusion
So, when did surrogacy start? The concept began thousands of years ago, but modern surrogacy as we know it developed alongside medical advancements in the 20th century.
From traditional arrangements in ancient times to today’s carefully structured gestational surrogacy process, surrogacy has evolved dramatically. Understanding its history provides valuable context for families considering this path today.