Surrogacy has increased exponentially over the last few years. Because of the high cost of surrogacy in California and elsewhere, many Americans have sought out surrogacy abroad, where it is much less expensive. India is considered to be at the forefront of this movement, possessing over 350 surrogacy clinics across the country. Westerners are increasingly using Indian surrogacy instead of domestic surrogacy services. What accounts for this shift towards utilizing surrogacy services outside of the United States?
The obvious reason that surrogacy is increasingly being sought overseas is that the cost of hiring a surrogate in India is vastly cheaper than the cost of hiring a surrogate in California. The cost of surrogacy in India ranges from $12,000 to $20,000. In the United States, a surrogacy will cost parents between $70,000 and $100,000. With this huge disparity in cost, the explanation for the popularity of Indian surrogacy centers seems to be a no-brainer. Many of the couples who travel to India to utilize the services of a surrogacy clinic come from countries in which surrogacy is outlawed altogether or unaffordable.
One reason that surrogacy is so much cheaper in India than surrogacy in California is rooted in regulations – or rather, the lack thereof. In the United States, surrogacy is a legal, yet complicated phenomenon that is scrutinized closely by the courts and closely regulated. In India, however, surrogacy, while legal, remains unregulated. Lack of regulation and legal protection for the couple, the baby, and the surrogate mother raise numerous concerns. Yes, surrogacy in India is cheaper than surrogacy in California; but at what risk?
In India, a surrogate mother can make between $5,000 and $7,000 for her services. This is a larger amount of money than many Indian women see for years of work. With the prospect for such a large income, it is no surprise that there are many Indian women eager to work as a surrogate. This raises some concerns, as well, especially since surrogacy is unregulated in India. Many Indian surrogates come from poor villages and are often very poor and illiterate. This puts the surrogates at a disadvantage, and a clinic using underhanded business practices has a clear advantage over them. Many cases have been reported in which illiterate Indian surrogates sign documents that they are unable to read, unknowingly agreeing to terms that put them at an even greater disadvantage.
It is unlikely that most Western couples who enlist the help of an Indian surrogacy agency are aware that because the clinics are unregulated their baby and the surrogate mother may be at risk. The cost of a surrogacy in California is indeed much more expensive, but with the added cost also comes peace of mind that the details will be legal and regulated and mother and child will be safe and protected.
Surrogacy California – The Center for Surrogate Parenting is devoted to helping people become parents through surrogacy in California and across the country. The Center for Surrogate Parenting has two California offices. Contact CSP in San Diego at 3111 Camino Del Rio North, Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92108; or in Los Angeles at 15821 Ventura Blvd. Suite 625, Encino, California 91436; or visit us online at http://www.creatingfamilies.com. To learn about becoming a surrogate or for general information about surrogacy, call us at 818-788-8288