FAQs about Surrogacy
Surrogacy in India involves a great deal of complexity. It can be overwhelming to prospective intended parents. They may have several questions in their minds. They want to know where to start and how it works. If you are considering the surrogacy option to add a member to your family, here are the answers to a few of the common questions that might bother intended parents:
Surrogacy – What Is It
In surrogacy, the intended parents enter into a socio-legal arrangement with a surrogate mother who agrees to be impregnated through embryo transfer and carry the pregnancy on behalf of the intended parents. Full parental rights are retained by the intended parents and the surrogate mother is given monetary compensation in lieu of her services.
Gestational Surrogacy and Traditional Surrogacy – What Is the Difference
Gestational surrogacy involves implantation of a fertilized embryo in a carrier who is responsible for carrying the resulting child or children for the full term. However, there would be no genetic relationship between the child or children and the carrier. On the other hand, traditional surrogacy involves artificial insemination and the carrier is both a gestational and genetic mother and takes custody of the child or children that are born.
Why do Women Agree to become Carriers for others’ Babies and Give them off later?
Most women who agree for surrogacy are those that enjoy becoming pregnant and want to genuinely help another couple looking forward to experiencing the joys associated with parenthood. They are also motivated by the financial incentive they receive. They don’t mind handing over the newborn child to the intended parents as they have conceived the baby by way of IVF procedure and their own intent. A surrogate mother always thinks that for nine months she has just been a babysitter.
How can the Intended Parents who have not Experienced Pregnancy or Childbirth Bond with the Child?
People adopt children because they like them and love them. In the same way, children born out of surrogacy are also wanted and loved. The child may have been born to the surrogate mother but the embryo belongs to the intended parents. Children need to be loved and they should feel wanted. They should grow up in a healthy and nurturing environment. A child that takes birth with the help of a surrogate mother receives help from many people during their creation. This includes the intended parents, a surrogate mother and her family, doctors, nurses, lawyers and, at times, egg or sperm donors. Actually, such a child is more special and precious than other children.
Why is it that Couples Prefer Surrogacy to Adoption?
Prior to deciding to opt for surrogacy, most couples would have already tried adoption and might have even adopted a child. Most people go for adoption when they decide to have a new member in their family as they may not be aware of the surrogacy option. Some couples that opt for surrogacy might have got fed up because of the laborious procedure they have to go through when it comes to adoption. An adoption failure can be devastating and highly distressing for the couple. Some couples through such an experience many times before finally deciding not to attempt adoption again to avoid getting hurt once again in life.
Couples who opt for adoption need to go through a rather lengthy process so as to comply with the requirements and qualify for adoption. They include background checks, filling up of applications, home studies, and providing even references. The adoption process is very expensive and time-consuming. Sometimes, couples are forced to wait for five or, even ten years. Another important aspect is that the children to be adopted are neglected children that suffer from malnutrition and abuse. They may even have both physical and mental impediments and even serious medical problems. The adoptions that happen today are mostly open adoptions. Further, many couples have the fear losing custody of the adopted child if the birth parents change their minds.
How are Genuine Surrogates Identified?
Women from all walks of life are prepared to help prospective parents that want to add a new member to their families. In India, the law allows only unselfish surrogacy. In fact, the women who are ready to become surrogate mothers must comply with certain requirements. These include the following:
- Her age should fall within the specified range
- Her BMI should be within the healthy range
- She should not smoke or use drugs
- She should have had at least one pregnancy previously without any major complications
- She must be capable of traveling to and from doctor appointments
- She should provide information on medical history as well as drug history
- She should subject herself to an in-home assessment and a thorough background check
- She must also undergo a medical check-up and psychological evaluation
How are the Intended Parents Screened? Why is it Important?
Apart from screening the would-be surrogate mothers to ensure that they comply with the specified requirements, the prospective intended parents are also screened by IVF Spring Fertility Centre. This is to ensure that both the parties are ready physically, legally, psychologically, and financially to go through the process of surrogacy. As part of the screening process, intended parents are required to disclose information related to their medical and social history, and subject themselves to background checks and in-home assessment.
Will I be my Child’s Biological Parent?
Surrogacy laws provide for one or both of the intended parents in maintaining a genetic connection with the child. The genetic material of an intended father and mother can be used for creating an embryo if the father has healthy and viable sperms and the mother has healthy and viable eggs. This means that the intended parents could become the biological parents of the child born through surrogacy provided they have a heterosexual relationship.
Is Surrogacy Treatment in India Legal?
Commercial surrogacy, which involves payment of a fee to the surrogate mother, will be banned in India soon. Only altruistic surrogacy is possible in this country. A woman has to volunteer to provide surrogacy services. This woman will not be paid a fee, but her expenses will be reimbursed. We at IVF Spring Fertility Centre always strictly adhere to the Indian surrogacy laws that are currently prevalent
Can Single Parents and Same-Sex couples Opt for Surrogacy?
Actually, surrogacy is a great option for single parents, and even same-sex couples. This way they can expand their families. However, laws in India do not permit single parents and same-sex couples to expand their families through surrogacy. It is banned as per Surrogacy Regulation Act 2016
What is the Success Rate with Respect to Surrogacy?
Surrogacy success rate depends on the IVF clinic you associate with, the viability and health of the embryo, and the fertility and health history of the surrogate mother. The fertility clinic will help you evaluate the possibility of achieving success in your specific case.
Can Intended Parents choose the Gender of their Child?
No, this not allowed under the Indian Law.
Whose Name will be Mentioned on the Child’s Birth Certificate?
As per law, the names of commissioning parents will be mentioned on the birth certificate. Surrogacy will not be mentioned on the child’s birth certificate.