Womb In Your Heart

While surrogacy is certainly a boon for childless couples, there are many factors around it that must be kept in mind. We shed some light on the process, procedures and laws around surrogacy...

Starting a family can be a wonderful time in one’s life. However, while there are many who very much long to have children, for one reason or another, they are unable to conceive. There is a solution, though, in the process of surrogacy. According to Dr. Rita Bakshi, Chairperson of the International Fertility Centre, “Surrogacy involves the carrying of an embryo and the birthing of a baby by one woman, referred to as the surrogate, for a couple. The embryo is usually created through the intended mother’s egg/donor egg and intended father’s sperm/donor sperm using In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). It is then transferred in the uterus of the surrogate, who acts as a human incubator, carrying the couple’s baby through to the birth.”

IS SURROGACY RIGHT FOR YOU?

There are a lot of things to consider before taking the decision to go in for surrogacy. An infertility specialist or a counselor can help you and your partner see things in the right perspective. Other options such as adoption or further infertility treatment can also be considered.

Dr. Sudhir Naik, IVF consultant and board member, Profert IVF Fertility Clinic, Kandivli, says, “To be thinking about surrogacy, you should be in a strong, supportive relationship. It is also useful to have fully explored other options like adoption before you decide that surrogacy is the path you wish to choose.”

Surrogacy may be appropriate if you have a medical condition that makes it impossible or dangerous to get pregnant and to give birth. Using a surrogate may be a good choice for you if you’re unable to conceive because of uterine irregularities, absence of the womb, recurrent pregnancy loss or if other fertility treatments have failed.