All you need to know about Surrogacy

By Dr. Shweta Goswami 

Surrogacy is now a well explored and accepted form of starting a family that people are turning to. Surrogacy simply means a biological or non biological mother carrying the child of another woman for full nine months. 

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data says that approximately 2,000 babies are born every year through commercial surrogacy. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) figures claim that surrogacy is a $2.3 billion industry in India, because it is largely unregulated and cheap. 

These days awareness about surrogacy is increasing. People who would have never thought that they would be able to become proud parents are finally getting chance to be. 

Surrogacy is advised to those who have either no or a malformed uterus, uterus damaged due to infection/ tumor, and where the uterus is removed for some clinical process. Surrogacy is also for those couples intending to be parents but where the woman is having repeated miscarriages. 

In IVF surrogacy or gestational surrogacy a pregnancy is created by the egg and sperm of the parent couple. The surrogate is just a carrier and is not genetically related to the child. While the procedure costs Rs. 15 lakhs or upwards, a surrogate earns Rs. 5-6 lakh and is paid Rs. 9-10,000 per month during the pregnancy. 

Surrogacy is a legal deal between a couple and an individual and a third party to carry their baby to term. There may be many reasons why couples opt for surrogacy; it may be a missing uterus, multiple pregnancy losses, or failed in vitro fertilization attempts. So, now the couple can have their own biological baby by hiring a surrogate. 

Sometimes a family member or friend offers to be a surrogate. This can deeply reduce the cost of surrogacy. However, because not everyone knows

a woman in a position to volunteer to be a surrogate, most people find a surrogate through other means.   

There are many full-service agencies/firms that will match intended parents to surrogates. The arrangement can be made between relatives or someone known by the patient or an agency. When choosing an agency, it is imperative to research the agency’s history. Important questions to ask include how fees are determined and how surrogates are screened. If possible, it is often helpful to speak to former clients of the agency. 

The success ratio of the surrogacy in India, the miscarriage rate is 15 % however 55% - carry back their baby. In case of 4 embryos, success rate is 8/10 as females are fertile here. This is indeed a very safe ratio to rely on. 

Summing it up, we can say that Surrogacy overall has definitely a blessing for many couples only if you are not willing for adoption. With modern amenities, well trained staff on hand and overall healthy surrogates, India sure has become a hub of surrogate pregnancy.