Guaranteed surrogacy cost in India

Surrogacy cost in India

The cost of surrogacy in India typically ranges from ₹8 to ₹15 lakhs (approximately $10,000 to $18,000 USD) for domestic surrogacy. This includes various components:

1. Fertility Treatments: IVF and embryo transfer are the main medical procedures, which can cost between ₹2 to ₹4 lakhs per cycle.
2. Surrogate Compensation: Surrogates are paid for medical expenses, insurance, and reasonable living costs. Compensation for surrogates can vary based on the clinic and the surrogate's health.
3. Legal Fees: Legal documentation, including contracts and establishing parental rights, adds around ₹1 to ₹2 lakhs to the cost.
4. Medical Screening: Both the surrogate and intended parents need thorough medical screening, which may cost around ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh.
5. Insurance: Insurance for the surrogate’s health and pregnancy-related complications typically costs ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh.
6. Travel & Accommodation: If the intended parents are international, they’ll also incur travel and accommodation expenses.

Surrogacy

For many people and couples who want a child but struggle with normal conception, surrogacy is a fantastic alternative. A surrogate mother bears and delivers a child on behalf of another person. Families can have great joy and fulfillment from this lovely procedure, and knowing how it operates, who it is for, and its advantages will help you make wise choices.

How it works ?

Finding a suitable gestational carrier, or surrogate, is the first step in the surrogacy procedure. You can choose a gestational surrogate on your own or use a surrogacy agency to find one that fits your unique requirements and preferences.

After you select a surrogate, she undergoes a psychological and medical assessment to ensure she is emotionally and physically prepared for the journey. Legal agreements are also put in place to safeguard each party's rights and obligations.

The medical procedure, which usually starts with in vitro fertilization (IVF), comes next. Sperm from the intended father or sperm donor is used to fertilize eggs from the intended mother or an egg donor. The resultant embryos are subsequently transferred by embryo transfer to the surrogate's uterus.

The surrogate receives extensive medical attention during the birth to keep an eye on both her health and the growth of the unborn child. During this time, you can frequently stay in constant contact with the surrogate to offer support and take part in the joy of the pregnancy.

At last, the intended parents receive the infant and take legal guardianship of the child. To guarantee a seamless transition, both the surrogate and the new parents frequently receive support and follow-up meetings following delivery.

Types of surrogacy

In India, there are primarily two types of surrogacy:

1.      Traditional Surrogacy:

.In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother is artificially inseminated with the intended father's sperm or a sperm donor's sperm. In this case, the surrogate mother is the biological mother of the child, as her egg is used for conception.

.The surrogate's genetic link to the baby is a key feature of this type of surrogacy. However, she carries the pregnancy for the intended parents.

Traditional surrogacy is less common nowadays due to the legal complexities and concerns about the surrogate's rights over the child.

2.      Gestational Surrogacy:

In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries an embryo that is created using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents (or donors). The surrogate mother has no genetic connection to the baby; she is simply carrying the embryo to term.

This is the most common type of surrogacy practiced in India today. The embryo is created through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and the surrogate mother only serves as the carrier.

Gestational surrogacy is considered less legally complex because the surrogate mother is not genetically related to the child.

History behind Surrogacy

India legalized commercial surrogacy, also known as the unofficial "Rent a Womb" trade, in 2002. India became "the hub of surrogacy" as a result of this policy, which was made to encourage medical tourism in the country. The primary causes are the low cost in India (it costs about $100,000 in the United States) and the lack of stringent regulations. According to the 2012 CII research, India's surrogacy market was worth $2 billion annually. Additionally, it was anticipated that over 3,000 fertility clinics nationwide were involved in this activity.

Concerns were raised by the unregulated surrogacy industry, which included unethical activities that benefited commercial agencies and middlemen the most, surrogate mother exploitation, the abandoning of surrogate children, and rackets including organ sale and embryo importation. For this reason, laws governing surrogacy in the nation were put into effect.

Who needs surrogacy

Surrogacy is an option for individuals or couples who are unable to carry a pregnancy due to various reasons. This includes medical conditions such as scarring, fibroids, uterine deformities, or a hysterectomy, as well as situations where pregnancy is deemed risky for the woman’s health. Surrogacy may also be considered by women who have experienced recurrent miscarriages or infertility, especially when issues with the uterus prevent successful conception or IVF attempts. Additionally, surrogacy is a solution for single men or male same-sex couples who wish to have biological children, using sperm from one or both partners. In all these cases, surrogacy provides a way for individuals or couples to pursue parenthood when other reproductive options are not viable.

Factors Affecting Surrogacy Costs

The cost of surrogacy can vary based on several key factors:

1. Type of Surrogacy:
   • Commercial surrogacy (banned in India) is more expensive as it involves compensation beyond medical expenses.
   • Altruistic surrogacy is cheaper as surrogates are only paid for medical costs and insurance.
2. Medical Expenses:
   • IVF, embryo transfer, and fertility treatments are major costs. Additional cycles can increase costs.
3. Surrogate Compensation:
   • Surrogates receive compensation for medical expenses, insurance, and reasonable living costs. This varies by clinic and country.
4. Legal Fees:
   • Drafting surrogacy agreements and ensuring parental rights involve legal costs.
5. Clinic Location & Reputation:
   • Established clinics in metropolitan areas typically charge more for their services.
6. Number of IVF Cycles:
   • If the first cycle fails, additional IVF cycles will add to the cost.
7. Insurance & Health Screening:
   • Surrogate and intended parents require insurance, and medical screenings can add to the expenses.
8. Travel & Accommodation:
   • International intended parents may incur travel and accommodation costs for the surrogacy process.

These factors combined contribute to the overall cost, which can range from ₹8-15 lakhs in India for domestic surrogacy.

Surrogacy Laws and Regulations

India’s Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2020 significantly changed the surrogacy landscape, aiming to protect surrogates and prevent exploitation. Here are the key points of the law:

1. Ban on Commercial Surrogacy: Commercial surrogacy (where surrogates are paid beyond medical expenses) is now banned. Only altruistic surrogacy is allowed, where the surrogate is compensated only for medical costs and insurance.
2. Eligibility for Intended Parents: Only Indian married couples (for at least 5 years) who are childless or medically unable to conceive can pursue surrogacy. Same-sex couples and single parents are not eligible. The intended mother must be between 23-50 years and the father between 26-55 years.
3. Surrogate Requirements: The surrogate must be an Indian woman, married, and already have children of her own. She must be between 25-35 years and can only be a surrogate once in her life.
4. Regulation of Clinics: Fertility clinics must be registered and follow strict guidelines. The process is overseen by a National Surrogacy Board to ensure transparency and ethical practices.
5. Legal and Parental Rights: A legal contract between intended parents and the surrogate is mandatory, defining roles, compensation, and parental rights. The intended parents will be the legal parents of the child once born.
6. International Surrogacy: Foreign couples can still opt for surrogacy in India if they meet the legal criteria for altruistic surrogacy, but the process involves additional legal steps, especially regarding citizenship and parentage.

India's Surrogacy Procedure

 In order to protect the interests of all parties, the surrogacy process in India entails a number of processes and stringent legal procedures.  The procedure is broken down as follows:

•  Qualifications

 Surrogacy is only available to Indian married couples who have been together for at least five years and are unable to conceive naturally or with the use of other assisted reproductive methods.  A certificate of essentiality and an eligibility certificate must also be obtained by the couple.

•  Choosing a Surrogate

 The surrogate needs to be married, have at least one kid of her own, and be a close relative of the prospective parents.  She can only serve as a surrogate once in her lifetime and must be between the ages of 25 and 35.

• IVF, or in-vitro fertilization

 In gestational surrogacy, the embryo is created by IVF and then placed in the surrogate's uterus.

•  Birth and Pregnancy

 The kid is given to the intending parents after the surrogate takes the pregnancy to term.  A birth certificate bearing the intended parents' names must now be issued by law.

Advantages of surrogacy in India

1. Affordability: Surrogacy costs in India are significantly lower compared to Western countries, with expenses ranging from ₹8 to ₹15 lakhs ($10,000 to $18,000 USD), making it a cost-effective option.
2. High-Quality Medical Care: India has internationally accredited fertility clinics with experienced professionals, ensuring high success rates in IVF and surrogacy procedures.
3. Legal Protection: India has a clear legal framework, especially with the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2020, which ensures ethical practices and safeguards the rights of both surrogates and intended parents.
4. Skilled Surrogates: India has a large pool of well-screened, educated surrogates who are compensated for medical expenses and reasonable living costs.
5. Privacy & Confidentiality: Surrogacy arrangements are handled with high privacy and confidentiality, ensuring a secure process.
6. International Accessibility: India is a popular choice for international couples due to its affordable costs, skilled professionals, and clear legal processes.

Myth: Surrogacy Is Only Affordable for the Wealthy

 Although it is true that famous celebrities and the wealthy these days rely on surrogacy, this does not validate the notion.  This misperception is primarily caused by the fact that surrogacy costs are never fixed or predictable.

 The cost of a successful surrogacy depends on a number of variables.  the agency costs, the surrogate mother's fees, the health insurance coverage, whether it's a typical operation, and a few other considerations.

 The parents wouldn't have to pay additional fees for the birth because many surrogate mothers have everything covered by their health insurance.  To check the facts, surrogacy necessitates comprehensive planning and is not always a wealthy endeavour.

How does Surrogacy work with Vinsfertility?

Surrogacy is no longer taboo, and here at Vinsfertility many dreams of couples with infertility issues have become true and we are leading the way! The journey of the couples, who prefer treating their infertility through ART, breaks the stigma around infertility and encourages others also to seek help.

At Vinsfertility, we are dedicated to converting your parenthood dream into reality. Surrogacy, for us, goes beyond biology and medical procedure and it’s a meaningful journey where you will feel several emotions but, in the end, everything will be exhilarating. At Vinsfertility, we combine science with care and empathy to help you experience the greatest joy of holding your child in your arms. The connection we built with our patients cannot be justified in mere words as we understand that not having a child of your own already is so overwhelming, so we try to meet end to end once the patient applies for the surrogacy program at our center. 

The surrogacy process at Vinsfertility starts with understanding and determining the preferences and qualities you need in a surrogate. This is followed by an intensive investigation where we find an ideal surrogate mother for you. Surrogates at Vinsfertility are healthy, experienced, and easy to talk to. Once we finalize your surrogate, we move ahead with the screening and examining the overall health of the surrogate as well as yours. Once the screening, related tests, and scans are done, IVF is carried out to create an embryo for implanting it inside the surrogate.

Now the embryo creation can be done by following two ways:

1. Using self-eggs and the intended father’s sperm

• Self-eggs refer to the eggs from the intended mother
• This involves combining the mother’s eggs with the father’s sperm, creating a biological connection to both parents.

2. Using donor eggs and intended father’s sperm

• Donor eggs are eggs provided by a female donor selected by you or the clinic.
• This option is ideal for intended mothers who cannot produce healthy eggs while maintaining a genetic link to the intended father.

3. Using donor sperm and self-eggs

• Donor sperm refers to the sperm from the male donor selected by you and or the clinic.
• For divorced or widowed women, or in cases where the intended father’s sperm is unavailable, embryos can be created using the intended mother’s eggs and donor sperm.

 
Depending on your case, we choose an ideal option for you and proceed with the IVF. As a result of the IVF, an embryo is formed, which is implanted inside the uterus of the surrogate mother. A pregnancy test usually comes positive after 7-14 days of implantation, which can be carried out by determining the hCG hormone level in the urine or blood. The surrogate carries the child on behalf of the intended parents for 9 months and gives birth to the child at the end of the last trimester. After the birth of the baby, neonatal care is also provided by our center, along with postpartum care to the surrogate mother. The legal parents of the child are the intended parents.

Step	Approx Duration
Initial consultation	1-2 weeks
Matching process	1-3 months
Medical evaluation	2-4 weeks
Legal Agreements	2-6 weeks
Preparation for IVF	4-6 weeks
Egg retrieval and fertilization	1-2 weeks
Embryo transfer to surrogate	1-2 weeks
Pregnancy confirmation	2-3 weeks after the embryo transfer
Gestation period	9 months
Birth and Handover	1-2 weeks after the delivery
Total duration	15-18 months

 

How is a Surrogate Mother Selected and Arranged?

Choosing a surrogate among people here can be tiring because you not only find a person who shares your values and hopes but also a person who can carry your child with utmost care and sincerity. Surrogacy is an emotional partnership built on mutual respect and understanding between the intended parents and the surrogate.  We ensure your comfort and satisfaction, by providing the best surrogate arrangements to you keeping your priorities and preferences into consideration as well as those of the surrogate.

1. We assess the requirements you need in a surrogate and we have a healthcare team, that examines and screens the physical and psychological health of the surrogate.
2. Additionally, we ensure that the surrogate legal age is between 25 and 35 years
3. Once we are done with the surrogate selection, the very first step towards surrogacy is completing the legal procedure, signing the legal agreement, and getting approval from the state board.
4. The next step is complete screening of the medical, psychological, and social conditions of the surrogate through various clinical tests.

Surrogate arrangement can be done in two ways:

A Surrogate is often arranged by the clinics or the agencies involved in ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology). Clinics provide you with the best surrogates to carry out surrogacy in India.

A Surrogate can also be arranged by the intended parents themselves, which is a form of surrogacy called Altruistic Surrogacy. Altruistic surrogacy can be performed when you choose someone you know to be your surrogate for the surrogacy process in India.

Using somebody you know as a surrogate

Use somebody you know, perhaps a friend or member of your family, as a surrogate to offer advantage. Cost saving and trust-building would be some of the additional advantages, as the shared values and personal connection tend to make this process feel comfortable and safe.
 
The table below shows the key differences between clinic-selected surrogates and those provided by intended parents:

Aspect	Surrogate selected by the clinic	Surrogate provided by the intended parents
Selection Process	The clinic selects the surrogate based on medical, psychological, and ethical criteria.	The intended parents choose a surrogate, often someone they know personally.
Medical Screening	The clinic ensures thorough medical and psychological evaluations of the surrogate.	The surrogate undergoes medical screening, often arranged by the intended parents, though some clinics may assist.
Legal and Ethical aspects	The clinic handles all legal paperwork and ensures the surrogate is aware of her rights and responsibilities.	Legal and ethical considerations are primarily managed by the intended parents, though clinics may provide guidance.
Experience and Support	Clinics typically select surrogates with prior experience or extensive support networks.	The surrogate may be inexperienced, and support for her may vary depending on the parents’ resources.
Medical Care and Treatment	The clinic oversees the surrogate's medical care, including IVF treatments and regular check-ups.	The intended parents are responsible for arranging the surrogate’s medical care, often in collaboration with the clinic.
Compensation and Agreement	Surrogacy laws in India do not allow compensation beyond medical expenses and legal fees. Clinics ensure that the surrogate is compensated for these costs.	Surrogates provided by the intended parents are not compensated beyond medical expenses and legal fees, as per Indian law. The parents directly arrange for these payments.