Emotional Transformation, Anxiety, and Expectancy in view ofamong Pregnant Surrogate Mothers: A Qualitative Study

Surrogacy is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) in which the surrogate mother accepts to host the baby of another in her uterus. Despite the advantages of surrogacy, it has given rise to certain ethical and legal issues. Thus, the aim of the present study was the evaluation of emotional transformation, anxiety, and expectancy among pregnant surrogate mothers.
This qualitative research was conducted based on phenomenological approach. The study population consisted of all pregnant surrogate mothers referring to Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Iran, in 2014. Through purposive sampling method, 5 women were selected. Data were collected using deep and unstructured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's method. The reliability and validity of this study was approved based on the 4 elements of dependability, credibility, transferability, and conformability.
The mean age of participants was 32.4 years. Through analysis of interviews, 39 primary codes were extracted. The primary codes were categorized into secondary codes. They consisted of 2 themes of emotional transformation in the donor and recipient (emotional transformation) 4 themes of anxiety in the simultaneous motherhood roles, apathy of the receiver, shame and fear of people close to the donor (anxiety), and 3 themes of trust in God, anticipation of the end of the pregnancy, and hope for the resolution of financial problems (expectancy). Thus, the experience of emotional transformation, anxiety, and expectancy by pregnant surrogate mothers was approved.
Support systems should be strengthened in Iran so that derelict women have insurance and are not compelled to donate ovum and become surrogates several times. The exploitation of these women and damage to their human dignity should be prevented, and education is the best way to prevent this exploitation.