Why is there no maternity leave for the intended mother?
In this country, if a surrogate mother gives birth to your baby you are not entitled to maternity leave. Your husband or partner, however, can take paternity leave and if you’re adopting a child, you can have adoption leave. The law relating to surrogacy was barely changed by the 2008 Human Embryology and Fertilization Act and children who are born to a surrogate mother still exist in a legal ‘no man’s land’ for a number of months after their birth whilst the courts decide whether or not their intended mothers can be put on their Birth Certificates and assume legal responsibility for them. To discuss British surrogacy law, Jenni is joined by Natalie Gamble – a leading fertility law expert. And, Kim Palmer - from Surrogacy UK - talks about the birth of her daughter Mimi to a surrogate mother.
