Things to do before considering Surrogacy

Brilliant strides in world of science and medicine and amalgamation of three A’s – availability, accessibility, and affordability define the surrogacy assistance in India, which has served the huge proportion of population in past eleven years. In the medical flowchart, there are certain things infertile couples should consider before opting for surrogacy.

1. Medical necessity for surrogacy

Missing or abnormal uterus, multiple pregnancy loss, several failed IVF transfers, potential life-threatening health risks from pregnancy, and unexplained infertility are the few reasons when couples fail to have babies.

However, maintaining figure and lack of time are not valid reasons to go for surrogacy. Therefore, couples need to have a medical reason to do surrogacy.

2. Counseling for intended parents

It is necessary for couples to go through psychological counseling before opting for surrogacy. The couples need to be prepared for the process, which involves a surrogate to carry a child for you. Sometimes, couples are unconvinced and tend to be shrouded by insecurities. Therefore, it is necessary for couples go through counseling to resolve the conflicts between their beliefs and reality.

3. Counseling of surrogate and her spouse 

It is important to counsel a surrogate before she carries someone’s baby. After medical examination, the surrogate should undergo psychological counseling to know if she is ready to carry the baby. Counseling would also let the surrogate discover her prospects and comfort her. During the counseling the surrogate should be shown transparent view of complications, care and treatment during and after pregnancy.

4. Understanding legal aspects of the surrogacy in India

Both intended parents and surrogate should understand legal aspects surrounding surrogacy. If surrogate or intended parents have any doubt regarding the process then they should certainly seek assistance. Legal contract should be signed between both the parties to ensure preservation of their rights.

5. Clearing doubts

Surrogates should know everything about the parents she is carrying baby for and vice versa. Both surrogate and intended parents should have answers of following questions before deciding on surrogacy, mental illness, hospitalizations, genetic illnesses, prior marriages, prior children, health status, marital status, bankruptcies and legal judgments, prior pregnancy history and infertility history

6. The cost of surrogacy

Couples seeking surrogacy in India should chalk out their budget before finalizing surrogacy plan. The couple should be ready to handle high-risk pregnancy, premature birth and miscarriage.

7. At least one parent should be biologically connected to the surrogate child/children.

Couples should understand the difference between traditional and gestational surrogacy. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is artificially inseminated with father’s sperm. While in gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is inseminated with an embryo created by IVF, using the egg and sperm of the intended parents.

8. Selecting right doctor

Before visiting the fertility expert, the couples should go through the timeline of the experience of the doctor in surrogacy. After evaluating the advantages, the couples should explain their issues to doctor without hesitation. It would help the doctor to understand the actual problem and also built a friendly relationship.

Dr Neeraj Pahlajani