Pregnancy is a boon for a woman, something that a lot of women are not blessed with these days. The reasons may be different such as lifestyle, health problems, cysts etc. But with a gift such as Surrogacy, a woman can have the pleasure of Being a Mother.

A surrogacy arrangement or agreement is the carrying of a pregnancy for intended parents.

There are two main types of surrogacy:

Gestational surrogacy: In gestational surrogacy, the pregnancy results from the transfer of an embryo created by in vitro fertilization (IVF), in a manner so the resulting child is genetically unrelated to the surrogate. Gestational surrogates are also referred to as gestational carriers.

Traditional surrogacy: In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is impregnated naturally or artificially, but the resulting child is genetically related to the surrogate.

Intended parents may seek a surrogacy arrangement when either pregnancy is medically impossible, pregnancy risks present an unacceptable danger to the mother’s health or in same sex couples.

Monetary compensation may or may not be involved in these arrangements. If the surrogate receives compensation beyond reimbursement of medical and other reasonable expenses, the arrangement is considered commercial surrogacy; otherwise, it is referred to as altruistic.

According to Indian surrogacy laws, the child is to be handed over to the intended parents with their names being on the birth certificates. The surrogate is not related in anyway to the baby. The whole program is managed by a lawyer.

Commercial surrogacy is permitted in India and while it may seem to raise ethical questions, there is no doubt that it has changed the lives of the women who choose to be surrogates greatly and for the better. They start their own business, become independent, stay out of abusive homes, give their own children a better life.