Surrogacy in India

Surrogacy

Surrogacy is a process in which two parties, including a surrogate and the intended parents, are involved. The surrogate carries the child on behalf of the intended parents. The embryo is implanted inside the surrogate's womb, which is formed by IVF using either the intended parents’ eggs and sperm or either of the gametes from a donor to ensure the genetic link of the baby with the intended parents.

Surrogacy can be of two types:

 Gestational Surrogacy and Traditional Surrogacy.

1. Gestational Surrogacy: In Gestational Surrogacy, the eggs are retrieved from the intended mother and the sperm from the intended father or either of both from a donor, keeping the baby's genetic link to the intended parents intact.

• This is the common type of surrogacy practiced in India.
• The surrogate is not the biological mother of the child.

2. Traditional Surrogacy: In Traditional Surrogacy, the eggs used are from the surrogate, and sperm is utilized either from the intended father or from the sperm donor.

• This is the less practiced type of surrogacy in India
• The surrogate is the biological mother of the child.

Surrogacy Types Based on Compensation

Type	Description
Altruistic Surrogacy	A surrogate is not compensated financially, except for medical, legal, and related expenses. Usually involves someone close to the intended parents.
Commercial Surrogacy	Involves financial compensation to the surrogate. This is now prohibited in India.

India's surrogacy laws have undergone significant changes to ensure ethical practices and protect the rights of all parties involved. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, effective from January 25, 2022, serves as the primary legislation governing surrogacy in the country. This Act prohibits commercial surrogacy and permits only altruistic surrogacy arrangements.

Key Provisions of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021:

1. Definition and Prohibition:
   • Surrogacy Definition: The Act defines surrogacy as a practice where a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another couple or individual, intending to hand over the child after birth.
   • Prohibition of Commercial Surrogacy: Engaging in commercial surrogacy, which involves monetary compensation beyond medical expenses and insurance, is strictly prohibited. Violations can lead to imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines up to ₹10 lakh.
2. Eligibility Criteria:
   • Intending Couple: Must be an Indian heterosexual couple married for at least five years. The female partner should be aged between 23 to 50 years, and the male partner between 26 to 55 years. They should not have any surviving biological, adopted, or surrogate children, except in cases where the existing child is physically or mentally challenged or suffers from a life-threatening disorder.
   • Single Woman: Widows or divorcees aged between 35 to 45 years are eligible for altruistic surrogacy. Single men are not permitted to opt for surrogacy.
3. Surrogate Mother Requirements:
   • Eligibility: The surrogate must be a married woman aged between 25 to 35 years, having at least one biological child of her own. She can act as a surrogate only once in her lifetime.
   • Relation: The surrogate mother should be a close relative of the intending couple.
4. Procedural Safeguards:
   • Authorization: Surrogacy procedures are to be conducted only at registered surrogacy clinics.
   • Insurance: The intending couple must provide a 36-month insurance coverage for the surrogate mother to cover post-pregnancy complications.
   • Consent: The surrogate mother has the right to withdraw her consent before the embryo is implanted.
5. Regulatory Bodies:
   • Surrogacy Boards: The Act mandates the establishment of National and State Surrogacy Boards to oversee and regulate surrogacy practices, ensuring compliance with the law.

These regulations aim to prevent the commercialization of surrogacy and protect the rights and well-being of surrogate mothers, intending parents, and the children born through surrogacy. By enforcing strict eligibility criteria and procedural safeguards, the Act strives to ensure that surrogacy in India is conducted ethically and responsibly.

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?

We live in a culturally rich country; we have kinds of people representing this rich heritage. 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.

The type of surrogacy, the medical procedures involved, and the clinic's location are some of the variables that can affect surrogacy expenses in India. Importantly, only altruistic surrogacy is allowed in India as of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, which forbids commercial surrogacy. In altruistic surrogacy, the surrogate mother receives no financial compensation other than insurance and medical costs.

Altruistic Surrogacy Cost Estimate:

Medical Operations: IVF and other medical procedures might cost anywhere between ₹4,00,000 and ₹8,00,000.

Additional Costs: The total cost may increase due to costs like maternity care, surrogate screening, and legal expenses. Some clinics provide all-inclusive packages that encompass several embryo transfer attempts and related medical treatment, with prices starting at ₹9,00,000.

What is included in the Surrogate Mother's Compensation

Surrogacy is a sensitive process that involves the emotions of both the parents and the surrogate and through this process, we find the true meaning of compassion and selflessness, as a woman carries a child not for herself, but for someone else’s dream. A surrogate mother brings joy to life in one’s family, this process should not be mistaken as a job. The surrogate is not someone who is employed to do a job called surrogacy but is offered a chance by God to help a couple who cannot feel the happiness of having their own child naturally. Hence, a country like India, where God is worshipped on a large scale and where ethics and values come first, does not compensate the surrogate commercially but provides monetary compensation for several purposes including medical expenses, living allowance, dietary and nutrition requirements, clothing, and travel expenses, postpartum care. The total surrogate’s compensation can vary depending on the factors mentioned below:

• Clinic and medical procedures

• Surrogate’s medical history
• Experience of the surrogate mother
• And complexities related to the health of the surrogate mother

Treatments involved in Surrogacy

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) treatments are available all over the country now. As the advancement is increasing, knowledge related to science and technology is also spreading at a rapid pace.  If you are facing infertility or any other medical problems that are making you consider surrogacy for having a child, let me make this clear to you, these problems are not barriers; instead, they offer people to customize the process towards their parenthood dream. Some of the common ART procedures have been listed below, followed by a discussion of each treatment, its purpose, and the specimens involved: IVF, IUI, ICSI, and PGT. Each procedure is adopted to improve the couple's chances of successful conception in cases where the couple faces some challenges in conceiving.
 

Treatment	Description	Specimen
IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization)	IVF is a method, where eggs are retrieved either from the intended mother or the egg donor and fertilized with the sperm from the intended father in a laboratory.	Sperm Intended Father Sperm Donor Egg Intended Mother Egg Donor
IUI (Intra Uterine Insemination)	IUI is a process where sperm from the intended father is directly placed into the uterus of the intended mother or surrogate during her ovulation.	Sperm Intended Father Sperm Donor
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection	ICSI is a specialized form of IVF where, a single sperm is injected directly into an egg for fertilization to take place, ensuring that even with low sperm viability, fertilization can still occur.	Sperm Intended Father Sperm Donor Egg Intended Mother Egg Donor
PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing)	PGT is performed on embryos before they are transferred into the surrogate’s uterus. This test screens embryos for genetic disorders or any chromosomal abnormalities, ensuring that only healthy embryos are selected for implantation.	Embryo Embryo formed after IVF/IUI

Surrogate Screening: Ensuring a Safe & Healthy Journey

Why is Surrogate Screening Important?

A surrogate is not just carrying a baby; she is helping build a family. Her health, mindset, and overall well-being directly impact the pregnancy. Screening ensures:
 The surrogate is medically fit to carry a child.
 She is mentally prepared for the emotional aspects of surrogacy.
There are no legal or ethical complications in the arrangement.

Key Steps in Surrogate Screening

1. Medical Screening

A thorough medical evaluation is conducted to confirm that the surrogate is in optimal health for pregnancy. This includes:
Blood tests: Checking for infectious diseases (HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis, etc.), blood sugar levels, and overall health markers.
Hormone tests: Ensuring her body is ready for IVF and embryo implantation.
Ultrasound & pelvic exam: Checking uterine health to ensure a safe pregnancy.

Medical history review: Looking at past pregnancies, C-sections, miscarriages, and any complications.
Lifestyle check: No smoking, drug use, or alcohol abuse.

Ideal Candidate: A woman between 25-35 years old, who has had at least one healthy pregnancy, with no history of severe pregnancy complications.

2. Psychological Screening

Surrogacy is not just a medical process; it’s an emotional one too. The surrogate should be mentally and emotionally stable to handle the journey.
 Counseling sessions: To understand her motivations and emotional preparedness.
 Mental health evaluation: Screening for anxiety, depression, or past trauma.
 Relationship assessment: If married, her partner’s support is also considered.

A surrogate must be fully aware that she is carrying the baby for someone else and will not have parental rights.

3. Legal & Background Checks

To ensure there are no legal complications, the surrogate undergoes:
 Criminal background check – To rule out any legal issues.
 Financial stability check – Ensuring she is not being forced into surrogacy for financial desperation.
 Agreement signing – Legal contracts are signed, clarifying rights, responsibilities, and medical coverage.

This step protects both the surrogate and the intended parents, making sure the process is legally sound.

Final Approval & Matching

Once a surrogate passes all screenings, she is officially approved and matched with intended parents. The medical process (IVF, embryo transfer, etc.) can then begin.

Factors Affecting the Price of Surrogacy:

Medical Testing and Procedures: IVF cycles, embryo transfers, and thorough health exams are all significant factors that affect the final cost.

Legal Fees: There are extra costs associated with drafting and completing legal agreements to guarantee adherence to the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.

Surrogate Care: Although the surrogate is not paid directly, her intended parents are in charge of paying for her insurance, medical bills, and any other expenditures associated with the pregnancy.

Clinic Location: The cost of a surrogacy treatment can differ based on the state or region in which it is performed. Because of the higher cost of living, larger cities may have higher related costs.

In order to get thorough estimates of possible costs and guarantee compliance with the laws currently controlling surrogacy in India, intended parents should speak with respectable fertility clinics.

Guaranteed Surrogacy Cost Breakdown

Surrogacy costs in India depend on several factors such as surrogate selection, donor egg charges, legal procedures, delivery, and prenatal care. The charges vary by location, ranging from ₹16,00,000 to ₹25,00,000. Below is a detailed breakdown: 

Cost Details

Type of Surrogacy	Cost (₹)
Surrogacy with Self Egg	₹16,00,000
Surrogacy with Donor Egg	₹16,00,000 – ₹20,00,000
Surrogacy with Family Surrogate	₹10,00,000
Guaranteed Surrogacy	₹18,00,000
Guaranteed Surrogacy with Twins	₹20,00,000

Payment Schedule for Guaranteed Surrogacy

Payment Milestone	Amount (₹)
Registration	3,00000
Injection Start	150000
Patient Fitness Confirmation	150000
2 Days Before First Embryo Transfer (ET)	200000
On Day of Positive Result	300000
Monthly Installments	150000 X6=900000(final payment at 24 weeks of pregnancy)

A table comparing average surrogacy costs across some major Indian cities:

STATE	CITY	Average price of surrogacy in INDIA
Surrogacy cost in Mumbai/Maharashtra	Mumbai	₹25-35 lakh
Surrogacy cost in Bangalore/ Karnataka	Bangalore	₹22-32 lakh
Surrogacy cost in Hyderabad/ Telangana	Hyderabad	₹9-12 lakh
Surrogacy cost in Delhi/surrogacy package in Delhi	Delhi	₹20-25lakh

Vinsfertility: Your Trusted Partner in IVF & Surrogacy

100% Guaranteed Surrogacy Program – A Golden Opportunity for Infertile Couples

• Embryo Quality First: We prioritize creating high-quality embryos using advanced PGT/PGS to eliminate abnormalities.
• Donor Eggs for Guaranteed Results: This program includes only donor eggs, and good semen quality is required for assured success.
• Best Surrogate Mothers: We carefully select surrogate mothers to ensure the highest chances of success.
• Miscarriage Assurance: In case of a miscarriage, we restart the process within the same package at no extra cost.

Who Can Apply?

• Indian Parents.
• OCI Card Holders
• NRI Couples
• Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)

Why Vinsfertility

VinsFertility is a one-stop destination for all those who are facing fertility issues. Doctors and centers working with us have years of working experience and with their expertise they provide us the solution for every infertility issue. Parents across the world reaches us and we have helped them in completing their family. Also, there are many LGBT couples from Singapore, the UK, USA, Canada, Netherland who have fulfilled their dream of parenthood. We can help you provide the top Surrogacy centers and top IVF centers in India. We also provide a birth certificate after the delivery of the baby and also ensure that babies don’t face any legal issues while entering their country.

Contact Information

• Behind BSES Rajdhani Power Station, Katwaria Sarai, Delhi 110016, India
• +91-7042716900
• +1 917-730-8298 (USA)
• +44 121 7900588 (UK)
• +61 29 0984857 (Australia)
• info@vinsfertility.com