Various ways have come up scientifically to help couples overcome barrenness, especially in a woman. Assisted Reproduction techniques like IVF, ICSI, IUI and Surrogacy are some of the methods used to help a couple get a child. Surrogacy is a situation where a woman carries the pregnancy and delivers a child on behalf of another couple (intended parents). Surrogacy is not new at all though the public has different views about it. Surrogate (one who carries the pregnancy) comes from Surrogatus a Latin word that means substitution. TYPES OF SURROGACY There are mainly two types of surrogacy namely;
  1. Traditional Surrogacy
  2. Gestational Surrogacy
Traditional Surrogacy This is where the surrogate is injected with the sperms of the intended father of the child. The surrogate acts as the egg donor and the carrier of the pregnancy. In this case, there is no need of retrieving eggs from her and IUI is normally used. Cases where this type of Surrogacy is used
  • In case the intended mother has no womb
  • In case the woman’s are not healthy
  • In case of a chronic disease that can be passed genetically onto the child
Gestational Surrogacy In this type of surrogacy, the baby is genetically connected to the intended parents. It is a procedure where eggs and sperms from the intended parents are used in IVF or ICSI to form the embryo. After fertilization, the embryo is transferred to the surrogate’s womb until the term ends This type of Surrogacy is used where the intended mother has healthy eggs and as the doctor may recommend. Before the procedure of Surrogacy Treatment is given to the surrogate to alter her menstrual cycle. Estrogen medicines are then given to the surrogate to prepare the womb. HCG Induce is given after the surrogate and the intended mother. Both of the women are properly monitored by the doctor until they are both ready for egg extraction and carry the embryo. On the day selected for the big procedure, eggs are extracted from the intended mother and sperms from the father. They are both joined together for fertilization and when cell division occurs, the best embryo is transferred to the surrogate’s womb to carry the pregnancy for nine months Regulations of Surrogacy & how it is viewed Surrogacy is worldwide recognized by the judicial laws of the countries. It is a common practice in countries like the USA, Britain, UK and Australia. Surrogacy in India is also recognized, but there are reactions over it. It is quite funny to say that surrogacy and sperm donation are some of the most expensive assisted production methods. One has to be capable of being a surrogate and that means that she has to be a mature woman with no diseases, willing to let go of the baby after birth and not cause problems after birth When a baby is born through surrogacy, he or she is a normal baby and treated like other babies. There has to be no disclosure of the fact that the child was born through surrogacy and has to be protected from physical, social and mental harm. This can be disclosed to him or her when old enough as per the laws of the country. Commercial surrogacy is available in India and there are different hospitals and organizations that deal with the provision of surrogates. The move is to provide a solution for childless couples to have children in their lives. Surrogacy Treatment in India Surrogacy and its procedures are not easy tasks to take up alone. Normally, two gynecologists may take responsibility over the patients. If at all, it is gestational surrogacy, the procedure it quite long and needs monitoring. Tests and ultrasounds have to be performed whenever necessary to check the blood levels in the surrogate. Neonatal problems have to be watched out and there has to be emergency assistance at the clinic What is done before surrogacy? Surrogacy involves different parties to bring life into this world. A surrogate must be healthy and without any chronic diseases. Various tests for Blood group and diseases like HIV have to be performed on the surrogate. It has to occur after coming to a term that is between the intended parents and the surrogate. All the different medical bills are taken care of the intended couple. Parenting through Surrogacy The good news is that many babies are born through surrogacy, but for some couples, problems follow after that. This normally happens when a surrogate was picked as per the couple’s choice. These become hesitant to give in the child due to many reasons. That is why this can be avoided by gestational surrogacy or picking a surrogate from the commercial surrogate hospitals. Surrogacy Treatment Cost in India The cost of Surrogacy in India rises every single year. Currently, one may spend between Rs. 3, 90,000 to Rs. 1,700,000. Charges commonly depend on the clinic visited and the type of surrogacy picked. Gestational surrogacy is obviously more expensive that traditional surrogacy. One has to also consider the surrogate’s expenses, for example, food, drinks, and simple treatments that are absolutely different from IVF and actual surrogacy treatment.