Comment by anonporridge
5 years ago
Until we perfect artificial wombs.
I wonder if it would make sense to use a surrogate to gestate the very early stages, and then transfer the fetus to an artificial womb for the later stages. There would probably be many more women willing to do this since it's the later stages of pregnancy and birth that creates the most wear and tear on the body, not to mention emotional trauma with immediately losing the baby you carried.
Hell, even women having their own babies might choose this route if it becomes feasible, like many preemptively choose c-sections now.
NICUs are basically artificial wombs that can keep a baby alive starting at a minimum of 22 weeks, out of 40 weeks for standard gestation.
The minimum age, cost, and risk of NICUs is just going to keep dropping as the tech and experience improves.