TRANSNATIONAL SURROGACY - A Detailed Explaination

What is Surrogacy :                                     

Ø  Surrogacy is an arrangement between a woman and a couple or individual to carry and deliver a baby. 

Ø  Women or couples who choose surrogacy often do so because they are unable to conceive due to a missing or abnormal uterus, have experienced multiple pregnancy losses, or have had multiple in vitro fertilization attempts that have failed.

Ø  The advantage of gestational surrogacy to the parents is that the embryo is created from the woman’s egg and the man’s sperm, so it is biologically theirs.

What is transnational surrogacy?

Ø  Transnational surrogacy is arrangement between a women and a couple or individual to carry and deliver a baby who belongs to different countries.

Ø  Surrogacy is happening between the people of two different countries.

How one can arrange the surrogacy?

Ø  The surrogacy arrangement is sometimes made through an agency and other times contracted privately.

Ø  When searching for a surrogate mother, a couple might use the Internet contact an agency, or network through friends and family. Surrogacy arrangements are sometimes made between strangers who never meet, or between persons who meet only occasionally through the process.

Ø  A surrogacy arrangement might also involve persons whose lives become intertwined during the process, and even those who are family members or friends before entering a surrogacy arrangement.

UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SURROGACY

Ø  While there are two Different types of surrogacy, gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy, there are also different types of arrangements, agency arranged and independently arranged.

Ø  Also surrogacy may be done between strangers who never meet, persons who meet only a few times, persons who meet and become quite close over the course and often after the surrogacy, and those who are friends before ever entering a surrogacy arrangement or are family members.

GESTATIONAL SURROGACY

Ø  Most intended parents prefer gestational surrogacy because they feel more secure in knowing the chances of the surrogate being able to keep their baby is slim to none.

Ø  They also feel more in control of the surrogacy and pregnancy in general because they are choosing the genetics of their baby.

Ø  An advantage to having an egg used by an ovum donor or the intended mother is that for the surrogate mother, it separates the complex emotional issues of being a gestational and genetic donor/mother.

Ø  Many surrogate mother's find that their friends and family are more receptive to their participation in a surrogacy because they more easily view the child the surrogate carries as belonging to the intended parents due to it's genetic make up.

USING AN EGG DONOR

Ø  Often parents who choose to have a gestational surrogate carry their child cannot genetically contribute to their offspring nor do they wish to have their surrogate mother be the genetic mother.

Ø  Intended parents in these situations usually rely on outside assistance via sperm and or egg donation.

Ø  While sperm donation has been around for hundreds of years egg donation is relatively new.

Ø  In this process a screened egg donor undergoes hormone therapy (usually injections) over the course of many weeks which cause her ovaries to release more than one egg.

Ø  Between one and fifteen eggs are usually harvested during a surgical procedure.

Ø  They are then inspected for quality and either frozen for use later or immediately mixed with sperm for the intended father or a sperm donor.

ALTRUISTIC SURROGACY

Ø  Altruistic surrogacy is a situation where the surrogate receives no financial reward for her pregnancy or the relinquishment of the child (although usually all expenses related to the pregnancy and birth are paid by the intended parents such as medical expenses, maternity clothing, and other related expenses)

COMMERCIAL SURROGACY

Ø  Commercial surrogacy is a form of surrogacy in which a gestational carrier is paid to carry a child to maturity in her womb and is usually resorted to by well off infertile couples who can afford the cost involved or people who save and borrow in order to complete their dream of being parents.

Ø  This procedure is legal in several countries including in India where due to excellent medical infrastructure, high international demand and ready availability of poor surrogates it is reaching industry proportions.

Ø  Commercial surrogacy is sometimes referred to by the emotionally charged and potentially offensive terms "wombs for rent", "outsourced pregnancies" or "baby farms".

WHY INDIA FOR SURROGATE ?      

                           

Many people globally are now choosing India a destination for Surrogacy. There are many reasons like:

      surrogacy in india cost Surrogacy Treatment is Economical In India

      Surrogate mothers from india Best Of IVF Doctor

      surrogacy in india cost Easy to find Surrogate Mother In India

      Surrogacy india Legal Aspect of Surrogacy as law are in favour of surrogacy treatment.

Ø  It is estimated that in the United States, the payment for a surrogate mother ranges between US$15,000 and $30,000, the whole procedure can cost $45,000 to $60,000+.

Ø  The fees for the rest of the process- including fertility clinics; lawyers; medical fees; and agencies and/or egg donors (if they're used) generally cost more than the fee going to the surrogate.

Ø  Gestational surrogacy costs more than traditional surrogacy, since more complicated medical procedures are required.

Ø  Surrogates who carry a baby for a family member (i.e., sister or daughter) usually do so for expenses only.

Ø  India is foremost in surrogacy because of the low cost treatment and availability of women opting to be surrogate for childless couples.

Ø  In India Surrogacy costs about $ 20,000 compared to US where it is $50,000.

Ø  Moreover laws in US and UK do not allow the surrogate woman to charge the childless couple; whereas in India there are no laws preventing a surrogate woman in accepting compensation for renting her womb.

Ø  A childless couples offer Rs.3, 00,000 to Rs.4,00, 000 or more and sometimes even funds for education to the surrogate woman and there should be laws in India protecting not just the couple but also the woman opting to be surrogate keeping in mind the economic compensation and help that it offers to not just the illiterate women but also their families in India.

Ø  Surrogates may be relatives, friends, or previous strangers. Many surrogate arrangements are made through agencies that help match up intended parents with women who want to be surrogates for a fee.

Ø  The agencies often help manage the complex medical and legal aspects involved. Surrogacy arrangements can also be made independently.

Ø  In compensated surrogacies the amount a surrogate receives varies widely from almost nothing above expenses to over $30,000 Careful screening is needed to assure their health as the gestational carrier incurs potential obstetrical risks.

Ø  Contact for Surrogate mothers from india, surrogate mothers in india, surrogate mothers india.

WHO MIGHT OPT FOR SURROGATE ?

                                

Ø  Some women are unable to carry a child to term.

Ø  A variety of causes account for this, including failure of the embryo to implant, repeated miscarriage, hysterectomy or a pelvic disorder.

Ø  Some women experience problems such as dangerously high blood pressure, a heart condition or liver disease, so that pregnancy would entail a serious health risk for them.

Ø  Some people may come to terms with their childlessness.

Ø  Others may find adoption or fostering an acceptable alternative, although this option is limited by the number of babies and children offered for adoption.

Ø  For others surrogacy may be seen as a possible solution.

Ø  Because surrogacy involves another person taking on the risks of pregnancy, it is only acceptable as a last resort, where it is impossible or very dangerous for the intended mother to carry a child herself.

Ø  Sometimes people speculate about women taking part in surrogacy arrangements, although capable of bearing children themselves, because they wish to avoid the physical, social, psychological or financial drawbacks of bearing a child themselves.

Ø  There is no evidence to suggest that this happens in Britain and it would not be seen as an acceptable use of a surrogacy arrangement.

BECOME A SURROGATE                                   

What are the criteria for becoming a surrogate mother?

Ø  A potential surrogate mother must be in good overall health and be able to undergo a pregnancy with the minimum amount of risk to her own health.

Ø  Some medical conditions will prevent a woman becoming a surrogate mother, for example, if there are any known medical problems which could lead to complications with the pregnancy, or put the woman at risk.

Ø  Also those who are considerably overweight, are heavy smokers, drinkers or substance abusers are not suitable as surrogate mothers because of the associated risks both to the woman and the baby.

Ø  Be a surrogate mother is an emotionally and physically demanding task.

Ø  It is important that a woman considering this option has the backing of a partner, family or friends to provide emotional support and practical help throughout and after the pregnancy. Surrogacy is not something to enter into lightly.

Ø  Careful consideration must be given to the medical, emotional, legal and practical issues, and to the implications of surrendering the child at birth.

Ø  Thought must also be given to the effect on any existing children, the potential surrogate mother’s partner, family and friends.

A woman wanting to act be a surrogate mother is required to fulfill each of these conditions found in Section 56 of the Act

(a) She is at least twenty-one years of age.

(b) As the risks of illness and problems are much higher in the first pregnancy it is strongly recommended that surrogate mothers should have borne at least one child previously and preferably have completed her own family.

(c) She has not previously acted as a surrogate for compensation more than once.

(d) She has completed a medical evaluation and the evaluating physician has determined that there is no known reason why she would not be capable of carrying a child to term without endangering her health or the health of the child;

(e) In the case of a surrogacy involving in vitro fertilization or similar technology involving fertilization outside the uterus, is informed consent to the medical procedures associated with the establishment of a pregnancy through embryo transfer. She must have provided the written consent.

(f) She has completed a mental health evaluation by a mental health.

(g) She has undergone legal consultation with independent legal counsel regarding the terms of the surrogacy contract and the potential legal consequences of the surrogacy.

LEGAL Aspect: Surrogacy Legal In India                                   

Is Surrogacy Legal In India?

Ø  Commercial surrogacy has been legal in India since 2002.

Ø  India is emerging as a leader in international surrogacy.

Ø  Indian surrogates have been increasingly popular with fertile couples in industrialized nations because of the relatively low cost.

Ø  Indian clinics are at the same time becoming more competitive, not just in the pricing, but in the hiring and retention of Indian females as surrogates.

Ø  Clinics charge patients between $10,000 and $28,000 for the complete package, including fertilization, the surrogate's fee, and delivery of the baby at a hospital.

Ø  Surrogacy in India is much more simpler and cost effective than anywhere else in the world. There is an increasing amount of Intended Parents who choose India as their surrogacy destination.

Ø  The main reason for this increase is the less costlier surrogacy and better flexible laws.

Ø  In2008, the Supreme Court of India has held that commercial surrogacy is permitted in India. That has again increased the international confidence in going in for surrogacy in India.

Ø  Intended Parents from all over the world come down to India with great dreams and hopes for attaining the joy of parenthood by opting surrogacy.

Ø  Intended parents contact hospitals over the internet mainly and to come across hospitals/agencies which do not provide complete information about the surrogacy procedures, time factors and more importantly the cost factor.

Ø  We also advise you on how to get an order from the Indian Courts helping you to take your child with you to your homeland.

EGG DONATION INDIA:                         

Why become an egg donors?

To build a family and nurture a child is one of the most basic and natural desires for many women but unfortunately, there are women who are unable to conceive due to Poor egg formation or No eggs.

So they have only option to receiving a donated egg for a baby. Most of the time, those considering egg donation have tried everything else to conceive- exhaustive testing, countless appointments with fertility specialists, and strained relationships.

Through the Egg Donation Program at DELHI IVF Centre, these women are given hope. Because caring and compassionate young women make the ultimate gift by donating their eggs, these women are given the opportunity to conceive, carry and deliver a child.

Who can become an Egg Donors India

Ø  Anyone who has been screened for communicable diseases as mandated by Health Canada can become a donor.

However, all potential Egg Donors must meet the following basic criteria:

ü  Age between 21 and 32 years old

ü  A non-smoker, Healthy

ü  Mature and prepared to help a couple have a child

ü  Have low FSH levels, and at least 6 eggs

Ø  The egg donor normally given fertility drugs to stimulate the development of multiple mature eggs, whereas the recipient takes estrogen and progesterone to prepare the uterus for embryos derived through egg donation.

Ø  The sperm of the husband, partner, or sperm donor is used to fertilize the eggs.

Anonymous egg donors will go through the following testing procedures before being accepted:

Ø  They will also be required to sign anonymity consent as well as attend a counseling session prior to donation.

Ø  Medical history and physical examination.

Ø  Testing for infectious diseases.

Ø  Screening for inheritable diseases through family health questionnaire.

WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES TO RECEIVE DONATED EGGS?

Ø  New Life Fertility Centre facilitates both Anonymous and Known (Designated) Egg Donor programs.

Ø  These programs allow patients to choose an Anonymous Egg Donor, or to use donated eggs from a woman known to them.

These patients may include:

Ø  Women with premature ovarian failure

Ø  Women who have had radiation or chemotherapy

Ø  Women who have had their ovaries surgically removed

Ø  Women who have poor quality eggs and need Surrogacy treatment some time.

Ø  Women with genetic diseases or chromosomal translocations that they wish to avoid passing on to their offspring.

Ø  Advanced age.

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written by k.manikandan,