Alternative paths to parenthood

Adoption and surrogacy are typically costly and time-consuming, but the results are worth the effort

When you want a baby badly but can’t conceive, what are your choices? The options include adoption in Australia or from overseas, or finding someone to have your child through a surrogacy arrangement.

All these paths can be complex and an emotional roller-coaster. They can take several years from starting the application process to receiving a baby or child. Eligibility is stringent and there are complicated legal issues. Costs can vary widely, too.

Intended parents all have different experiences. For Owen Craven who, with his partner Sean Gallagher, successfully navigated all the hurdles and costs of surrogacy, having his wonderful daughter, Indigo, is definitely worth it.

Owen says it took three years of planning, saving and co-ordinating, from deciding to embark on the surrogacy to Indigo’s birth. “And here we are almost a decade later at home with a burgeoning young lady.”

Adoption within Australia is at a record low. As many as 10,000 babies a year were adopted out in the 1970s when unwed mothers were under pressure to give them up. This has declined and in the pandemic year of 2020-21 there were only 264 finalised adoptions, made up of 42 adoptions from overseas and 222 who were living permanently in Australia, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Intercountry adoption

Adopting a child from overseas can be a long, slow process with the median waiting time around three years and four months in 2020-21. Some countries are faster. Placements from South Korea took 24 months while for the Philippines it was about 66 months, according to the Institute of Health and Welfare.