India; A Preferred Country For Commercial Surrogacy Procedure

By Author: Dr Baidyanath Dastidar
Total Articles: 7
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Surrogacy is a blessing for couples unable to have the child. India is a major destination for commercial surrogacy because of less strict rules and low cost involved in the treatment. The article explains important things about surrogacy and the benefits of getting the treatment done in India.

While commercial surrogacy is prohibited in most western countries, the practice is flourishing in India. There are several infertility treatment centers in the country, which are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and experienced doctors to treat the infertility related problems of couples.

Surrogacy is the term used when a woman agrees to carry a pregnancy and give birth to a baby for another woman. There are two types of surrogacy:

Gestational surrogacy - This is the most common surrogacy practice in India. The surrogate mother isn't genetically linked with the child and only carries the child for the couple. IVF/ICSI technology is used in the gestational surrogacy. The wife's eggs are fertilized by husband's sperms and are transferred into surrogate's uterus. Certain medication is also used to match ...
... the surrogate's uterine endometrium with the uterus of the mother before the embryo transfer.

Traditional surrogacy - In this type of surrogacy, the child is the product of surrogate's oocyte and husband's sperm. None of the IVF centers in India practices this method.

Who can Opt for Gestational Surrogacy?

* Most of the women who have had their uterus removed but have ovaries to provide the egg can opt for gestational surrogacy

* Gestational surrogacy is also preferred when the mother has a medical condition that can have serious risks for the baby

* A woman unable to conceive after IVF implantation methods can choose gestational surrogacy

* Woman with systematic diseases like renal problem, diabetes, and heart problems, which can pose a threat to the mother's life in case of pregnancy

* RH incompatible woman

The process of gestational surrogacy is similar to routine IVF, except for the fact that pregnancy is carried by the surrogate.

* The patient is stimulated for IVF to develop multiple eggs

* Medication to suppress menstrual cycle and form a receptive uterus lining is given to the surrogate

* When the patient’s follicles mature, egg retrieval process is performed to remove eggs from ovaries

* The eggs are fertilized with the partner's sperm in the laboratory

* The embryo develops in the laboratory within 3-5 days

* The embryo is transferred into the surrogate's uterus

* The surrogate keeps the child for rest of the delivery period

Surrogacy in India was made legal in 2001 and with the Supreme Court's ruling; commercial surrogacy was made legal in India. The National Council for Medical Research in India has framed a set of guidelines, which are followed by medical clinics throughout the country. In many states of the USA, the surrogate has legal rights over the baby. However according to the Indian law, biological parents have the complete right over the child.

Gestational surrogacy has become a popular alternative to fulfil the dream of motherhood for women who are unable to conceive naturally due to medical or personal reasons. India is a favourite destination for gestational surrogacy as the total cost involved in the process is lesser than most of the western countries.

Author of this article is associated with GD Institute of Fertility Research, the renowned surrogacy clinic India. The centre has state-of-the-art equipment and a team of renowned medical professionals for IVF, ICSI, and other infertility treatments.