A couple picks a surrogate because they’re trying to find someone who will also prioritize their child’s best interests. The future parents may want the surrogate to avoid certain foods or even follow a specific diet.
It is often possible to make these types of requests. They simply need to be put into the surrogacy contract. After all, if a prospective surrogate is uncomfortable with this arrangement, they’re not obligated to sign the contract. But if they do, then they are obligated to follow the arrangement that they have agreed upon.
Key health tips
Exactly what would this contract entail? For one thing, it’s important for someone who is pregnant to monitor their fluid intake. They may need to drink extra fluids during the day, and health experts also advise that they avoid any type of alcohol.
It’s also important to have a balanced diet that includes a lot of fruits and vegetables. Some foods recommended by Johns Hopkins Medicine include carrots, tomatoes, red peppers, grapefruit, bananas, and mangoes.
One thing that parents will likely want to focus on is foods to avoid. This includes soft cheeses and anything else made from unpasteurized milk. A person should also be careful to avoid raw meat or undercooked seafood and eggs. For instance, eating cooked sushi is usually fine, but sushi made from raw fish should be avoided.
Setting up a contract
Exactly what the necessary diet looks like can differ a bit from one case to the next. But this helps to show some of the details that may be put into a surrogacy contract and why it is so important for all parties involved to understand what legal steps to take.