The Surrogacy Process​: Surrogacy in India​

The surrogacy process is a third-party reproduction method where a carrier mother (the surrogate) bears and delivers a child for another couple after they have agreed on a legal agreement. The pregnancy takes place through IVF or other methods, where the embryo is prepared in the lab and transferred to the carrier’s womb for gestation. 

There are two methods of surrogacy, both of which we will explain in detail below.

Traditional Surrogacy (Partial, Natural, or Straight Surrogacy):

With traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s egg is fertilized by the intended father’s or a donor’s sperm. The fetus is then genetically or biologically related to the surrogate.

This type of surrogacy treatment is illegal in India under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. As part of the law introduced in 2021, only altruistic gestational surrogacy (explained below), where the surrogate mother has no biological relations to the child, is legal.

Gestational Surrogacy (Host, or full surrogacy):

Gestational surrogacy in India is legal. In this method, an embryo is formed by in vitro fertilisation. It’s then implanted into the uterus of the surrogate mother by our fertility specialists at the best surrogacy centre in Delhi​, Advance Fertility.

The surrogate mother then carries and delivers the baby. Using this method, the resultant baby is not genetically related to the surrogate.

The Resultant Embryo Can be Created By: 

• Using the intended father’s sperm and the intended mother’s eggs
• Using the intended father’s sperm and a donor egg
• Using the intended mother’s egg and donor sperm
• Using a donor egg and a donor sperm

Type of Surrogacy

Depending upon whether the surrogate receives a financial reward for her pregnancy, surrogacy is further divided into two parts:

Commercial surrogacy:

Commercial surrogacy is banned in India. The law states it is commercial surrogacy if the carrier mother receives money for the surrogacy arrangement. Again, this falls under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.

Altruistic surrogacy:

If the surrogate receives no compensation beyond reimbursement of her medical and other pregnancy-related expenses and her insurance coverage, it is considered altruistic surrogacy. Only this type of surrogacy is legal in India now under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.

Criteria for Opting for Surrogacy in India

The following conditions and criteria must be fulfilled for surrogacy, as stated by the new law. These conditions include:

• A missing uterus or an abnormal uterus. An abnormal uterus includes issues like a hypoplastic uterus, intrauterine adhesions, a thin endometrium, a small unicornuate uterus, or a T-shaped uterus. This condition also applies if the uterus is surgically removed due to any medical conditions, such as gynaecological cancer.
• Repeatedly failed to conceive after multiple IVF or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection attempts (recurrent implantation failure).
• Multiple pregnancy losses resulting from an unexplained medical reason.
• Any illness that makes it impossible for a woman to carry a pregnancy to viability or a life-threatening pregnancy.

Eligibility criteria for surrogacy

These criteria are for Intended Parents (IPs)/Intending Women wanting to start treatment with a surrogacy centre in Delhi and across India:

• Should have a medical indication necessitating gestational surrogacy
• A couple or single woman of Indian origin in a specified age group
• Should be legally married, with the woman aged between 23 and 50 years and the male between 26 and 55 years. This applies to the day of certification.
• An Indian woman who is a widow or divorcee between the ages of 35 and 45 years
• Should not have a surviving child biologically, through adoption, or from surrogacy previously. In special circumstances, IPs who have a child who is mentally or physically challenged, suffers from a life-threatening disorder, or a fatal illness with no permanent cure can get approval by the appropriate authority with a due medical certificate from a District Medical Board.

For Surrogate Mothers

If a woman would like to join the surrogacy process, they must meet the following criteria:

• Willing to act as a surrogate and deliver the baby to term.
• Age of 25 to 35 years on the day of implantation.
• A married woman with a child of her own.
• Medically and psychologically fit to carry the baby to term.
• Cannot provide her own eggs.
• Cannot be a surrogate more than once in her lifetime.

The Steps Required for Surrogacy Treatment

There is a specific process women and couples must follow for a successful surrogacy outcome. These steps include:

• Medical consultation of the couple or the single woman, followed by physical and mental health tests. 
• Counselling of a couple or a single woman
• Legal certification for surrogacy (obtained through the National Board)
• Surrogate recruitment (obtained through the altruistic code of conduct)
• Medical procedure (IVF) – Self/donor egg surrogacy

Why Get in Touch With Advance Fertility Clinic For Your Surrogacy?

There have been several cases of illegal surrogacies and mistreatment of surrogates in India. As a result, the government has enforced strict surrogacy laws under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021. Only certified clinics can carry out the process while strictly abiding by surrogacy regulations and following the protocols set by the state. 

Advance Fertility Clinic is the best surrogacy centre in Delhi, with clinics also located in Gurgaon & Noida. We understand and follow the required regulations with strict adherence, helping countless women and couples achieve their dreams. Our team can assist with the legal process if you have any worries. 

Reasons to Trust Advanced Fertility Clinic With Your Surrogacy in India​

As a leading surrogacy centre in Delhi​ and across India, exceptional care begins from the minute you first contact us. Our specialists work with you throughout, using state-of-the-art technology and equipment to achieve the highest surrogacy success rates.

We conduct thorough examinations in our labs and take serious note of your medical history. This enables us to provide you with information that helps ensure you make an informed decision backed by expert opinion. 

Our mission is to help our patients feel comfortable, relaxed, and ready for their future family. You’ll find our staff are compassionate, and we are always available to offer support and answer questions. We understand that going through the surrogacy process can be a challenge for many women and couples, and to combat misinformation and challenges faced during the process, our team will provide adequate counselling throughout.

For further queries related to surrogacy treatment options, please call +91-9871250235 or write to contact@advancefertility.in today.