Victorian era birth - Until the twentieth century
American Women gave birth at home,
usually in their own bed in their own bedroom
It is in my nature to be well prepared and
so I have called a number of hospitals. It seems that surrogacy is not very
common and most of the time hospitals do not have a policy in place to deal
with surrogate mothers and intending parents.
Mercy Health Hospital in Victoria has a
Surrogacy Guideline.
The policy has been approved by the Chief
Executive – Health Services in consultation with the Ethics Committee.
The following are extracts from the Mercy
Health Hospital I have replaced “commissioning parents” with terminology
specific to Western Australia – “Intending Parents”.
Background
The overriding consideration in all
decision making is that the surrogate or birthing mother. She and her baby are
the primary focus of care.
With the consent of the surrogate mother,
the intending parents, along with the surrogate mother, would be encouraged to
meet regularly with the treating health care team.
Patient
consent
The same principles of care provision,
consent and confidentiality are to be followed with a surrogate mother as with
any other obstetric patient.
Consent for treatment of baby is to be
obtained from surrogate mother (unless there is a court order in place).
Any disputes over consent for treatment of
the bay or disclosure of information must immediately be referred to the Chief
Medical Officer of the relevant Executive Director.
Care
of the newborn baby
The consent of the surrogate mother eill be
required for the commissioning parents to visit the baby.
Ideally, consent for visitation should be
obtained prior to birth.
With the permission of the surrogate
mother, the commissioning mother may request to room in with the baby during
hospital admission.
Even if the day to day care of the baby is
provided by the intending mother, any consent for treatment or for the carrying
out of the procedures on the baby (for example immunization and newborn
screening) must be obtained from the surrogate mother.
Baby
Discharge
The baby label is to be matched with that
of the surrogate mother as per routine discharge. The baby is to be discharged
to the surrogate mother, unless any court requires otherwise.
If anyone would like a full copy of the
policy I am happy to forward.
