A surrogate mother is a woman who carries and gives birth to a baby for another person or couple, known as the intended parents. This arrangement is often used when the intended parents are unable to conceive a child due to medical issues, age, or other factors. Surrogacy can be either traditional, where the surrogate is also the biological mother, or gestational, where the surrogate carries an embryo created from the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors. The process of surrogacy typically involves legal agreements to outline the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved. It may also include medical procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) to create the embryo. Surrogacy can provide a path to parenthood for individuals and couples, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, who may face challenges in having children.