How to do Altruistic Surrogacy in India
Surrogacy in India is a process where a woman (surrogate mother) carries and gives birth to a child on behalf of another person or couple (intended parents) who cannot conceive or carry a pregnancy to term due to various medical reasons. Surrogacy is a legal and widely accepted practice in India, and it has become a popular option for many people around the world. In this article, we will discuss the process of surrogacy in India, the legal framework governing it, and the steps involved in the process.
Legal Framework of Surrogacy in India:
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has established guidelines for surrogacy in India. These guidelines provide for the conditions and the procedures to be followed by the parties involved in surrogacy. The guidelines are not binding, but they are recognized by the Indian courts, and they are followed by most clinics and hospitals offering surrogacy services.
The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019 was introduced in the Indian Parliament to regulate surrogacy in India. The Bill provides for the establishment of a National Surrogacy Board and State Surrogacy Boards to regulate surrogacy in India. It also provides for the eligibility criteria for intending couples, the rights and obligations of the surrogate mother, and the legal framework for the parentage of the child born through surrogacy.
The Bill also prohibits commercial surrogacy, which means that the surrogate mother cannot be paid for carrying the child. Only altruistic surrogacy is allowed, where the surrogate mother can only receive medical expenses and insurance coverage during the pregnancy.
Process of Surrogacy in India:
The process of surrogacy in India involves several steps, which are as follows:
Step 1: Finding a Surrogacy Clinic
The first step in the surrogacy process is to find a surrogacy clinic that provides surrogacy services. There are several surrogacy clinics in India, and you can choose one that is reputable and meets your requirements. It is advisable to research and compare several clinics before selecting one.
Step 2: Medical Screening
The second step in the surrogacy process is to undergo medical screening. Both the intended parents and the surrogate mother need to undergo medical screening to ensure that they are medically fit for the process. Medical screening includes various tests, such as blood tests, ultrasounds, and genetic testing.
Step 3: Legal Agreement
Once the medical screening is complete, the intended parents and the surrogate mother need to sign a legal agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of the surrogacy arrangement. The agreement should cover aspects such as the compensation to be paid to the surrogate mother, the parentage of the child, and the responsibilities of the parties involved.
Step 4: Hormonal Stimulation and Egg Retrieval
The next step in the surrogacy process is to stimulate the intended mother’s ovaries to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are then retrieved through a minor surgical procedure and fertilized with the intended father’s sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the surrogate mother’s uterus.
Step 5: Pregnancy and Birth
After the embryos are transferred into the surrogate mother’s uterus, she will carry the pregnancy to term and give birth to the child. The intended parents will have legal rights over the child as per the terms of the legal agreement.
Costs Involved in Surrogacy in India:
Surrogacy in India is much cheaper than in other countries such as the USA, Canada, or the UK. The cost of surrogacy in India depends on various factors, such as the clinic chosen, the medical procedures required, and the compensation paid to the surrogate mother.
