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A case for altruistic surrogacy

Adam P Morton
Med J Aust 2005; 183 (3): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb06968.x
Published online: 1 August 2005

To the Editor: One of the great privileges in practising obstetric medicine is to support a couple through a successful confinement when they have previously been advised against attempting pregnancy because of pre-existing maternal disease. However, in some cases, pregnancy carries a substantial risk of morbidity and mortality to both the mother and infant. Indeed, many maternal deaths in Australia are still preventable,1 and underlying cardiac disease is an important cause.2


  • Mater Hospital, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, QLD 4101.


Correspondence: amorton@mater.org.au

  • 1. King JF, Slaytor EK, Sullivan EA. Maternal deaths in Australia, 1997-1999. Med J Aust 2004; 181: 413-414. <MJA full text>
  • 2. Sullivan EA, Ford JB, Chambers G, Slaytor EK. Maternal mortality in Australia, 1973–1996. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2004; 44: 452-457.
  • 3. Morton A. Pregnancy outcome in a mother with alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2005. In press.
  • 4. Expert consensus document on management of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy. Eur Heart J 2003; 24: 761-781.
  • 5. Sivaraman P. Management of pregnancy in transplant recipients. Transplant Proc 2004; 36: 1999-2000.
  • 6. Jones DC, Hayslett JP. Outcome of pregnancy in women with moderate or severe renal insufficiency. N Engl J Med 1996; 335: 226-232.
  • 7. Smith M, Cooper GM, Clutton-Brock TH, et al. Five cases of severe cardiac disease in pregnancy: outcomes and costs. Int J Obstet Anesth 2001; 10: 58-63.
  • 8. Seymour J. ART, surrogacy and legal parentage: a comparative legislative review. Melbourne: Victorian Law Reform Commission, 2004.

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