Step-by-Step Surrogacy Process in Mumbai

Surrogacy is one of the most effective methods of helping infertile couples have a biological child of their own. Understanding the surrogacy process will help you determine whether surrogacy is a good option for you and what to expect from the treatment. In this guide we discuss the step-by-step surrogacy process in Mumbai and the eligibility criteria for surrogacy in India.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman, commonly called the surrogate, agrees to carry the baby of another individual or couple. After the baby is born, the surrogate hands it over to the intended parent(s), who becomes the baby’s legal parent(s).

Surrogacy can be altruistic or commercial. In commercial surrogacy, the surrogate is paid monetary compensation, while in altruistic surrogacy, the surrogate is not paid any monetary amount or given any gifts apart from necessary medical and legal expenses.

According to the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, only altruistic surrogacy is legal in India. Banning commercial surrogacy has helped reduce unethical surrogacy practices. To choose surrogacy in India, both the intended parents and the surrogate must meet strict eligibility criteria. We’ll discuss this criterion later in this guide.

What is the Process of Surrogacy?

Surrogacy uses assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments, mainly IVF, to help intended parents have a child of their own. Here is the step-by-step surrogacy process in India.

Step 1: Consultation and Fertility Assessment

Your surrogacy journey will begin with the initial consultation at a registered surrogacy clinic. During this condition, your fertility specialist will discuss your fertility situation and whether surrogacy is the right choice for you. This is also the right time to ask your clinic any questions you might have about the surrogacy process.

Step 2: Meeting Legal Requirements

Next comes drafting the relevant legal documents and making sure that all contracts have been prepared and signed. The intended parents must also keep all the required documents at hand.

The surrogate must be made aware of the risks posed by the process and provide informed written consent before starting the surrogacy treatment. She can withdraw her consent at any time before embryo transfer takes place. Additionally, she must receive health insurance for at least 36 months after delivery, paid for by the intended parents.

Step 3: Counselling

Counseling is a highly important yet severely underrated part of the surrogacy process. The intended parents and the surrogate require thorough counseling to help them better understand and deal with their unique reproductive situation. Psychological and legal counseling for both parties can help them understand their role and responsibilities and help the process function smoothly.

Step 4: Medical Preparations

The surrogate and intended mother (or egg donor) undergo comprehensive medical testing to confirm that they are healthy enough for the procedure. The intended parent or egg donor undergoes ovarian stimulation while the surrogate receives medication to enhance the receptivity of the endometrium.

While Using Fresh Embryos

The fertility clinic administers certain medications to sync the menstrual cycles of both parties. This ensures that the surrogate’s body is receptive to the embryo transfer. Since human eggs cannot be stored for a long time without cryopreservation, this ensures that the eggs and embryos have to spend very little time outside the body.

While Using Frozen Embryos

Using frozen embryos can be more convenient, as the embryo transfer can be timed according to the condition of the surrogate rather than being adjusted to the schedule of the egg retrieval.

Step 5: IVF and Embryo Transfer

Finally, it is time for the IVF process. The eggs and sperm are collected from the intended parents (or from one intended parent and an egg donor) and are fertilized in a lab to create embryos.

The healthiest embryo is then transferred to the uterus of the surrogate. Any leftover embryos are either frozen for future attempts or discarded. If the transfer was successful, the embryo will attach itself to her uterine lining and grow into a fetus and eventually a baby.

Step 6: Pregnancy Monitoring

In this stage, the surrogate is administered proper medical care and her pregnancy is carefully monitored by the fertility clinic. Both the surrogate and baby are taken care of. The intended parents are encouraged to participate in the pregnancy by showing up to ultrasounds and medical check-ups.

Step 7: Delivery and Legal Handover

The intended parents will usually be present at the birth of the baby. After delivery, the surrogate hands the child over to the intended parents. All legal documents, such as the baby’s birth certificate, will contain the names of the intended parents and not the surrogate. The intended parents will legally have parental rights over the baby. The surrogate is entitled to medical attention and postnatal care after the baby’s delivery.

Who Can Opt For Surrogacy in India?

According to the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, only the following people can apply for surrogacy in India:

• Married heterosexual couples who have been married for at least 5 years
• Have proof of infertility due to medical reasons
• The wife must be 23 to 50 years old
• The husband must be 26 to 55 years old.
• Do not have any biological or adopted children. (exceptions include children who are mentally or physically disabled or are suffering from a chronic fatal disease/life-threatening disorder.)
• Some widowed or divorced women may also be eligible

Additionally, surrogacy in India is open to only Indian citizens and OCI or PIO cardholders. It is not allowed for foreign nationals, LGBTQ+ couples, or single men and women. Even surrogates have to meet strict eligibility criteria. To be a surrogate in India, you must be:

• A married woman
• Between 35 and 45 years old
• Have at least one biological child
• Should have never been a surrogate better
• Be mentally and physically fit
• Provide informed consent

Who Should Consider Surrogacy

As we’ve mentioned earlier, surrogacy in India requires a medical condition that causes infertility. As such, intended parents need a ‘Certificate of Essentiality/Infertility’ to show a medical need and make them eligible for surrogacy.

Miscarriages or Failed IVF Attempts

Patients who have had multiple miscarriages or failed IVF attempts are eligible to choose surrogacy in india.

Uterine Issues

The female intended parent has uterine issues, like an abnormally shaped uterus, uterine cysts or fibroids, or scar tissue, or has had their uterus removed.

Health Conditions

The intended parent suffers from health conditions like heart conditions, diabetes, obesity, etc., which could cause the risk of dangerous pregnancy complications or affect the baby’s health.

Choosing The Best Surrogacy Clinic

Surrogacy can be the best gift you’ll ever give yourself. It can be joyful and life-changing. Choose a registered clinic that can provide you with high-quality medical attention, affordable pricing, and compassionate care. At Corion Fertility Clinic, we carry out surrogacy legally, ethically, and with complete transparency. Book an appointment today and find out if surrogacy is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Can we choose a gender in surrogacy in India?
A. No, you cannot choose the gender of your child in surrogacy in India according to the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Act, 2021 and the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act. Both laws prohibit sex selection and it is a punishable offense.

Q. What is the punishment for violating surrogacy laws in India?
A. Violating surrogacy laws in India can result in imprisonment for up to 10 years and fines of up to ₹10 lakh.

Q. What does the success of embryo transfer depend on?
A. The success of embryo transfer depends on the standard of medical treatment, embryo quality, and skill of the embryologists and fertility specialists.

Q. Are there any disadvantages of surrogacy?
A. Yes, some disadvantages of surrogacy include the medical risks that the surrogate faces, the high financial cost borne by the intended parents, and the emotional challenges faced by both parties.

Q. Which is the best city for surrogacy in India?
A. Mumbai is the best city for surrogacy due to the availability of high-quality medical services, top-rated fertility specialists, and cutting-edge medical infrastructure.

Disclaimer

The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.