Misconceptions about Surrogacy

Due to few misplaced assumptions about surrogacy many infertile couples and even potential surrogates show their hesitation towards surrogacy. Below are the few most prevalent misconceptions about surrogacy,

1. Child born through surrogacy is genetically related to the surrogate mother

Unless it is traditional surrogacy (where the surrogate is artificially inseminated with the intended father's sperm) the child would not be genetically related to the surrogate mother. Couples opting for gestational surrogacy - in which embryos are created using the eggs from the intended mother or an egg donor and sperm from the intended father or a sperm donor - will have babies sharing their genetics not that of surrogate.

2. Only close friends and family members are surrogates

Although there is no harm for a friend or family member to be a surrogate, but intended parents can always have surrogate having no biological or social relation. This is because the child born through surrogacy process will share genetics with the intended parents and not the surrogate. For foreign couples seeking surrogacy in India, the surrogates are not known to them beforehand but at Pahlajani Surrogacy Center we ensure that to build friendly relationship between intended parents and surrogate.

3. Only wealthy couples can seek surrogacy

Surrogacy involves equal investment of emotions, time and money. Although surrogacy can be expensive, but intended parents can obtain loans from banks or lending agencies and use home equity loans to help cover the costs. Couples can also seek help from medical financing companies for secured and unsecured loans to cover IVF payments. Even explore different insurance policies to cut medical costs and expenses.

4. Surrogate mother treats her own children and surrogate child differently

Surrogate mothers are chosen for this role based on their potential, need and seriousness towards the incredible task becoming a surrogate for an infertile couple. Her dedication of months to bear a child which she knows is not hers should not be questioned as surrogate mothers are fully aware of the tremendous responsibility.

5. Surrogates only care about money they get after surrogacy

In India, surrogacy is commercial, so surrogates get compensated for investment of her time, emotions and efforts to build someone else’ family. But intended couples should see it as a noble gesture as a surrogate prepares herself to go through the duration of 9-month long pregnancy and even the complications.

6. Surrogate mothers become too emotionally attached to the child

It is true that surrogates get emotionally attached to the child in their womb. But they are thoroughly counseled about their role during the surrogacy process to determine that they are comfortable with what’s expected of them from start to finish, and what the experience of giving the child to his or her intended parents will consist of post-delivery.

7. Women choose surrogacy to avoid pregnancy

It is often thought that women are figure conscious and do not want pregnancy to affect their body. But one should understand that the couples choose surrogacy after there is no option left to have babies. Surrogacy is a big decision, as it involves the help of a surrogate, requires huge investment of time, money and emotions. Couples seeking surrogacy are often scared and vulnerable throughout the process. So, the insinuation that a woman would pay a surrogate to have her child in order to avoid a pregnancy is completely inaccurate.

Dr Neeraj Pahlajani