When the family friend who had offered to carry their child turned out to be pregnant already, Karen and her partner asked their doctor for help. "He told us he thought that he had a name somewhere, but he was so overwhelmed by his patient load we didn't lay much store in his ever providing us with the contact. One thing he was most firm about was that he would in no way be involved in our making an arrangement – that we were to return together only once a legal document had been drawn up. When he called us two weeks later with her telephone number we were thrilled.

That person was masters student and mother Gail Chartwell*, and so began South Africa's first surrogate initiative.

Making the match
Gail and Karen have launched what they hope will be a positive first for SA women: a parent-to-surrogate mother registry called SEEK. In their first year of unofficial existence, at least six pregnancies resulted from their matches. Protective of their parent's privacy, SEEK does not expect report-back, and often hear "by the way" about their successful contribution to a family's being.

Multiple miscarriages, incompetent cervix, chronic illness (diabetes, asthma) and fibroids are all indications for using a surrogate mother. The couple would use their own ovum and sperm, and the child would be genetically theirs. This would be termed "partial surrogacy". Women who require the donation of the surrogate's egg would find a "full surrogate" and the child would be related genetically to the father.

Also required is a registry for potential egg-donors, and SEEK will pursue this if there is a demand. They will also direct people to lawyers experienced in this specialised area.

Healthy requirements
SEEK hopes that women who enjoyed their pregnancies will come forward to register as potential surrogates. The privacy of all who register is closely guarded. However, any surrogate must expect a degree of scrutiny for the sake of the parents. Attention to detail is essential for the myriad of treatments she may undergo, and obviously the surrogate must be healthy and emotionally sound. Ideally she would be in a stable relationship, not having undergone any personal or financial upheaval in the last year. They do not list anyone who has not already had children.

About to finalise a major sponsorship from a pharmaceutical company, SEEK aims to cover the expense of a regularly updated website, as well as the emotional and time-consuming investment such a voluntary undertaking would require. Also required is a co-ordinated advocacy and lobby group for the successful emersion of surrogacy from its current mode of underground exploitation.

No payment may be sought for this sort of match in South Africa. No patient should have to pay, and SEEK will also welcome details of any such "brokers" who live off the desperation of others.

* Names have been changed