Relationship and frequency of contact with the
commissioning couple before the birth
The surrogate mothers were asked to recall their relationship with the
commissioning couple before treatment had begun, during the ®rst
few months of the pregnancy, and during the last few months of the
pregnancy. For the latter two time periods, ratings were obtained
separately for the relationship with the commissioning mother and
father. Surrogate mothers' description of the relationship was rated
according to one of three categories: `harmonious'; `dissatisfaction or
coldness'; and `major con¯ict or hostility'. `Harmonious' was coded
when the surrogate mother described a warm or friendly relationship
with co-operation on both sides; `dissatisfaction or coldness' was
coded when minor disagreements had arisen between the parties or
when little communication or warmth was apparent; and a rating of
`major con¯ict or hostility' was coded when evidence of arguments or
a breakdown in communication was present. Thus, the relationship
between the surrogate mother and the commissioning parents was
rated on a continuum ranging from no dif®culties through moderate
dif®culties (associated with either dissatisfaction or coldness) to
severe dif®culties. The frequency of contact between the couple and
the surrogate mother at the start and at the end of the pregnancy was
also recorded separately for the commissioning mother and father. In
addition, the surrogate mother was asked how involved the
commissioning mother and father had been during the pregnancy.
This was rated according to one of three categories for mothers and
fathers separately: `no or little involvement'; `moderately involved';
and `very involved'. `No or little involvement' was coded when the
commissioning mother or father had very little contact with the
surrogate mother during her pregnancy. `Moderately involved' was
coded when the commissioning mother or father showed some interest
in the pregnancy by attending some scans or antenatal appointments,
and a rating of `very involved' was coded when the commissioning
mother or father attended all of the scans or were aware of all the
appointments and would discuss the appointments with the surrogate
mother if unable to attend. Surrogate mothers were also asked whether
they were happy with the level of involvement that they had received
from each parent. Their responses were coded according to one of
three categories for mothers and fathers separately: `yes - happy with
involvement'; `No - too much involvement'; and `No - not enough
involvement'.
Experiences during and after relinquishing the child