Surrogacy - Just One More Option (Anas Khan)

It seems that more couples every year are not able to have children. For these couples, there are many alternatives. One alternative that has the least amount known about it is surrogacy. One reason the masses don't know too much about it is because it is still relatively new; it began around the 1980s to be exact.

So let's start with the basics. First, the definition: surrogacy is an assisted reproduction method where a woman agrees to become pregnant but have others raise and care for the child. A surrogate mother relinquishes her rights as the mother. The more traditional form of surrogacy is when the surrogate mother is the genetic mother to the child. But this is not always the case. Sometimes, the surrogate mother is implanted with the embryo, which is completely and totally unrelated to her.

The following list is more terms that would be helpful to be familiar with, especially if you are looking into surrogacy yourself.

Intended Couple: this is the couple who will rear the child after it is born. Traditional Surrogacy: this is when the surrogate mother becomes pregnant with her own child (biologically), but the child was conceived for the sole purpose to be given to the intended couple. This type of surrogacy is usually conducted through artificial insemination or intrauterine insemination. Both of these are performed at fertility clinics.

Gestational Surrogacy: The surrogate mother becomes pregnant through embryo transfer. She is not the biological mother of this child. The child is usually conceived using egg and sperm donations. In this case, the surrogate mother is commonly referred to as the gestational carrier.

Altruistic Surrogacy: This is when the surrogate mother receives no financial compensation for her carrying of the child.

Commercial Surrogacy, Paid Surrogacy: This refers to when a gestational carrier is financially compensated for carrying the child. This usually happens with those intended couples who have a lot of money, can afford the cost involved, and cannot have children on their own.

Since the beginning of surrogacy, there have been a few legal issues. These mainly deal with the surrogate mother not wanting to give up the baby to the intended couple, even after contracts have been signed and agreed to. One of these cases took place in New Jersey in 1986. Eventually the intended couple was given the rights to the baby because they were the biological parents. In Australia, the surrogate mother is, by default, the legal mother of the child. In France, the United Kingdom, and Japan commercial surrogacy is illegal and comes with heavy penalties.

In the United States, commercial surrogacy is illegal in the following states: Washington, Michigan, Utah, Arizona, New York, and New Mexico. While these states are against commercial surrogacy, California is not. It is recognized as one of the most surrogate friendly states in the United States. India is one of the countries where commercial surrogacy is legal, since 2002. Apparently, surrogacy is a booming industry because there are many poorer women who welcome carrying a child for someone else for the right price. Leaders are a little concerned that this will lead to people who really can have their own children using women of India to bear their children, rather than infertile couples. One reason women would do this, have a surrogate mother when they can healthily have their own child, is because they don't want to ruin their current physical fitness level.

Javitri Hospital and Test Tube Baby Centre is best place for Surrogacy in India. Surrogacy is the process where woman bears and gives birth either for individuals or couples. Hence, it signals endless celebrations for intended parents who run a proud family.