Georgia has reportedly become a major hub for surrogate pregnancies following the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022. Foreign intended parents, particularly from European nations where the practice is restricted or banned, are increasingly turning to the Caucasian country to fulfill their parental aspirations, running into a largely unregulated and high-pressure market.

A couple from Hamburg, Olga and Daniel, found themselves navigating the Georgian surrogacy network after discovering that such services are illegal in Germany. With Russia having banned foreign surrogacy contracts, international broker agencies swiftly relocated their operations to Georgian cities like Tbilisi and Batumi. According to official figures, over 3,000 surrogate mothers were registered nationwide by 2023.

Human rights advocates point out significant loopholes in Georgian legislation, noting that while contracts between clinics and parents are somewhat outlined, the intermediary agencies operate in a legal vacuum. Surrogate mothers typically receive between €18,000 and €28,000, yet reports indicate that many face severe restrictions, including being legally barred from terminating the pregnancy or keeping the child after implantation, alongside arbitrary delays in compensation.

The German couple ultimately decided to shelve their plans after experiencing what they described as intense emotional manipulation and high-pressure tactics from agency representatives rushing them into a decision. Observers note that beneath the polished marketing campaigns of these agencies lie deep-seated financial interests that frequently exploit the precarious socio-economic circumstances of surrogate mothers.

Source: www.dw.com