First Mothers Surrogacy Support Foundation
First Mothers Surrogacy Support Foundation focuses on issues of equality, dignity, safety, mental health and well-being to Canadian surrogate women. We address the risks and instances which lead to experiences of abuse and exploitation through the process of being a surrogate mother.
Who We Are
Our NFP organization, “First Mothers Surrogacy Support Foundation” was established in July 2020 in Canada as a multi-purpose initiative aimed towards eliminating the exploitation and abuse of surrogate women.
As an organization we stand behind promoting human decency, safety, dignity and respect towards any mother who is the very first human connection of life-force to an unborn surrogate baby. That being said, our name does not intend to imply that surrogate mothers should resonate with having any parental type of bond with the child they carry for others.
What We Do
​
Our partnerships and researchers are working jointly towards policy change in order to raise a collective voice that stands for equality, and promoting the mental health and well-being of surrogate mothers.
In addition, we are focusing on creative projects which generate opportunities for surrogate mothers to share their truth and healing journeys.
"The Canadian laws around surrogacy, are set up in a way that directly exploits surrogate mothers in Canada. Although pregnancy-related expenses are fully reimbursable, this doesn’t account for additional losses incurred as a result of the pregnancy. Without compensation, there is zero protection for the mothers and their families after the baby is born. FMSSF has jumped in to assist me with immediate resources as they acquire funding. This is an appreciated organization in an undervalued emotional and financial process for surrogate mothers in Canada" ~Anonymous
On its website, Health Canada describes the principles that underlie the AHRA and the provisions that relate specifically to surrogacy. The principles include preventing discrimination against and protecting the health, safety, dignity and rights of people affected by the use of assisted human reproductive technologies.
However, according to recent correspondence from the AHRA, a surrogate woman's experience of being pitched some form of continued contact before signing consent is not their concern, and "out of their scope". FMSSF has made a formal request to the Prime Minister of Canada, and the Minister of Health, The Minister of Labour, and the Department of Women and Gender Equality to ask for the salary amount that those who work in the AHRA earn as a way to better understand where the money goes from all the profits made from women who surrogate, and those who are directly involved to legally and medically allow these efforts to occur.
Although there are surrogate birth mother's who wish to protect the right to an informed, honest and transparent information about whether there will be continued contact of some form or not before putting their lives on the line, possibly not all surrogate women feel this way.
​
​
In Canada There Are Approximately 700 Surrogacy Births Per Year.
Not All Surrogate Women Are Treated With Kindness And Care.
“They said I would continue to be part of their lives but
once all the paperwork had been signed, they cut all contact."
"I wasn't able to work full time once I became diagnosed with
gestational diabetes and preeclampsia; and now I’m several months behind on rent."
"I felt demeaned and degraded. They couldn't even be bothered to write me a thank you card after the birth."
"My surrogacy pregnancy ended up being a result of manipulating me to go against my own morals. I never once intended to become pregnant to have no connection at all to the child I carried for others."
"When I went to my supervisor to discuss my maternity leave he suggested they would look at it like sick leave. I had to turn to my union because I was discriminated against for being pregnant for others."
"I was spoken to by the Intended Mother as though I had no right to consent over my time, body, or health insurance. I felt treated by her like I had been her property because she had paid fees for another woman's egg, and to other people so that I could carry a child for her."
"I felt used and discarded."
"The process of being a surrogate for others ended up costing me and my own family thousands of dollars out of pocket that I was not reimbursed."
"I cannot mentally process why they treated me so badly even though I gave them their child. I am on anti-depressants to help me try and cope."
