In California, a gestational surrogate is taking action to keep one of three triplets she is carrying. Although Melissa Cook had agreed to a reduction clause in the event of multiple pregnancies in her surrogacy contract, she refused to follow through when the genetic father requested a termination.

There is no federal law that regulates surrogacy, and state laws surrounding the practice vary widely. California is one of eight states that allow for paid legal contracts for gestational surrogacy. Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and Washington D.C., have all outlawed compensated surrogacy.