Surrogacy is a legal and medical arrangement in which a woman, known as a surrogate mother, agrees to carry and give birth to a child on behalf of another individual or couple who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy themselves. This process can involve either the surrogate's own egg (traditional surrogacy) or an embryo created from the intended parents' or donors' genetic material (gestational surrogacy). Surrogacy agreements are often governed by specific legal contracts to protect the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved.