Who are the Candidates For IVF Surrogacy

IVF surrogacy, i.e. gestational surrogacy, is the process of IVF where an embryo is created in a lab using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors. This embryo is then implanted into the uterus of a surrogate, a woman who agrees to carry the pregnancy for the intended parents. After the birth, the surrogate hands the baby to the intended parents.

IVF surrogacy is essential for many couples and individuals who cannot conceive or carry a pregnancy to term due to various medical or health-related reasons. It offers a hope for parenthood that might otherwise be impossible.

Given below are the candidates for IVF surrogacy:

1. Women Without a Uterus

Some women are born without a uterus (a condition known as Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome), or they may have had their uterus removed due to medical reasons such as cancer or severe bleeding. These women cannot carry a pregnancy themselves, making them ideal candidates for IVF surrogacy.

2. Women with Uterine Abnormalities

Certain uterine conditions can make it difficult or impossible to carry a pregnancy. Examples include severe Asherman’s syndrome (scarring of the uterine lining), severe adenomyosis (a condition where the inner lining of the uterus breaks through the wall of the muscle), and multiple fibroids. Women with these conditions often face repeated implantation failures or miscarriages, making surrogacy a suitable option.

3. Women with Severe Health Conditions

Some women have health conditions that make pregnancy dangerous for them. Conditions like severe heart disease, kidney disease requiring dialysis, or other serious medical conditions can pose significant risks to both the mother and the baby during pregnancy. For these women, surrogacy offers a safer alternative to achieving parenthood.

4. Repeated IVF Failures

Couples who have gone through multiple IVF cycles without success might consider surrogacy. Sometimes, despite having healthy embryos, implantation does not occur due to issues with the uterine environment. A surrogate with a healthy uterus can increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

5. Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Women who experience repeated miscarriages, even after thorough medical evaluations and treatments, might find surrogacy to be a viable option. This allows them to use their eggs (if feasible) or donor eggs, with the surrogate carrying the pregnancy to term.

6. Cancer Patients

Women undergoing cancer treatment, especially those requiring chemotherapy or radiation, often face infertility. However, they can preserve their eggs before treatment starts. These preserved eggs can later be fertilized with their partner’s sperm (or donor sperm) and implanted in a surrogate’s uterus.

The surrogacy process is supported by legal agreements to protect all parties involved i.e. the surrogate, the intended parents, and the child. In India, the Surrogacy Regulation Bill of 2019 regulates the practice, allowing only altruistic surrogacy, (without monetary compensation to the surrogate) other than medical expenses and insurance.

Altruistic Surrogacy

In altruistic surrogacy, the surrogate, often a close relative or a trusted person, carries the baby without financial gain. The surrogate’s primary motivation is to help the intended parents achieve their dream of parenthood.

The surrogate mother must meet certain criteria to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby:

• Age: The surrogate should be between 25 to 35 years old.

• Health: The surrogate must be in good health, both physically and mentally, and should not have any medical conditions that could complicate the pregnancy.

• Consent: The surrogate should willingly agree to the arrangement without any coercion.

The IVF surrogacy process involves the following steps:

1. Screening and Matching:

The first step involves thorough medical and psychological screening of the surrogate. Once a suitable surrogate is identified, legal agreements are drawn up to outline the responsibilities and rights of all parties involved.

2. IVF Procedure:

The intended mother or egg donor undergoes ovarian stimulation to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are then retrieved and fertilized with the intended father’s sperm (or donor sperm) in a lab. The resulting embryos are cultured for a few days before the healthiest one is selected for transfer.

3. Embryo Transfer:

The chosen embryo is transferred into the surrogate’s uterus. The surrogate then carries the pregnancy to term, with regular medical check-ups to monitor the health of both the surrogate and the baby.

4. Birth and Handover:

After the baby is born, the surrogate hands the child to the intended parents. Legal processes ensure that the intended parents’ names are on the birth certificate, establishing their parental rights.