Overview
Nursing Practice Impacts by 2025 if Surrogacy is Allowed to Proceed
Matsuzaki et al. (2024) mention that surrogacy is a growing practice. If allowed to proceed without stable regulation, by 2025, nursing practice may be impacted. Nurses may need to navigate complex medical and legal landscapes as surrogacy involves multiple stakeholders, including intended parents, surrogates, and fertility clinics. Nurses will play an important role in making sure that the physical and emotional needs of surrogates and intended parents are taken care of. Matsuzaki et al. (2024) continue to discuss exploitation in areas that do not have strict regulations. Nurses will have to advocate for ethical practices and support surrogates' autonomy and informed consent. Dealing with surrogacy, nurses will come across diverse cultural and ethical views, which means they will need to adapt their practice to meet the unique needs of patients from varying backgrounds (Matsuzaki et al., 2024). Nurses will need to educate and support surrogates and intended parents about the physical, emotional, and legal aspects of surrogacy to make sure they are making informed decisions and promoting positive outcomes. Matsuzaki et al. (2024) also discuss the lived experiences of surrogates, including emotional challenges. Nurses will need to provide psychological support to surrogates and their families, especially when informed consent is two-sided, and close relationships with intended parents are familiar.
Nurse Leader Advocacy for the Patient
It is really important to have strict regulations when it comes to surrogacy in order for it to be done safely and ethically and to protect all parties involved. Nurse leaders could advocate for stricter regulation to protect surrogates from exploitation and make sure that informed consent and autonomy are upheld. Matsuzaki et al. (2024) mention the efforts to reform surrogacy laws in several countries. Nurse leaders could support policies that prioritize the welfare of surrogates and intended parents while protecting future children as well. By working with a multidisciplinary team and regulatory bodies, nurse leaders have to make sure that the healthcare system focuses on both surrogacy's medical and psychosocial aspects. Nurse leaders could provide education to surrogates, intended parents, and healthcare providers about the ethical, legal, and health-related considerations related to surrogacy.
Alternate Challenges with Diverse Populations in Surrogacy
Horsey (2024) acknowledges that surrogacy crosses borders, which can create unique challenges when working with diverse populations. Different cultural and ethical perspectives on surrogacy can lead to misunderstandings or conflicts. For instance, some cultures may view surrogacy as morally or socially unacceptable, which could impact how surrogates or intended parents perceive the process and engage with healthcare providers. If there is a cross-border surrogacy arrangement, surrogates and intended parents speak differently and will not be able to communicate, which can make it more complicated for informed consent and patient education processes. Horsey (2024) discusses different countries' legal frameworks and regulatory approaches to surrogacy. Different states and countries may have different surrogacy laws, which can lead to legal uncertainties, such as disputes over parental rights or citizenship for the child. Horsey (2024) discusses concerns about the exploitation of women in unregulated surrogacy arrangements, particularly in economically disadvantaged populations. Nurses working with such populations must safeguard against coercion and make sure everything is done ethically. Some populations may face stigma related to surrogacy due to religious or social beliefs. This could discourage individuals from seeking support or sharing important information with healthcare providers, creating challenges in giving care.