THIS is powerful reporting. This is the good, the bad, and everything in between, no mincing of words, no prejudice from one side or the other - just reporting "how it is".
This article gives you insight into the importance of education prior to undertaking surrogacy abroad - it's not a journey for everyone. And, in my own opinion, feel that it is more prudent to do this in one of the bigger cities with a bit more modern facilities and access to Embassies and FRRO.
You WILL have a c-section in India 99% of the time, you will have many questions, there will be barriers in communication along the way, but if you're working with a facilitator, like me, you do have more answers, or should anyway. Why do clinics shy away from this? On surrogate housing, Dr. Patel uses a dorm like setting because her clinic is rural and many of the women would have to travel too far for appointments and this gives the physicians and nurses, social workers access to them. Other physicians in larger cities believe in allowing the surrogate to live in her own home with supplies provided, and rents paid, others have smaller homes where there are only 2 surrogates per room. With Dr. Bakshi, the Intended Parents have a choice in where the surrogate lives.
It is heart wrenching to see the photo of the surrogate in this story struggling with pain after her c-section, trying to clothe her daughter. Why is someone not assisting with this? I do believe that c-sections are actually better for the surrogates themselves. The process of laboring for hours and hours combined with the actual pushing out of a life is so very emotional and I think creates a bigger bond between the surrogate and the baby she is carrying. As a woman who has had 24 hours of labor, followed by and emergency c-section, and then what we refer to in our home as a "drive through baby" scheduled c-section, I'll take the C-section over labor ANY day. The first week is tough, the incision burns like crazy, but I would imagine vaginal tearing would hurt just as much, and could also create more bladder issues for the surrogate moving forward. I would hope that the proper medications are given to the surrogates to assist with their pain. It is cruel to consider otherwise, and the article doesn't state if she is medicated or not.
Some in the industry may consider this story to be negative, but I think this is actually a great piece on what surrogacy looks like in rural India. And, the process worked! And usually does. Two families profoundly impacted positively. None of us can imagine being excited over an essential hole in the ground as a bathroom, but this is now something that this family has that they did not have before. $50.00 a month salary for the husband. $7,000 + for 10 months of family separation, train rides, inconveniences and great commitment from this generous woman. Which gives that family a greater chance at a future? For SOMETHING?
I am sure this will cause some stir among the naysayers, but I think that this piece is tremendous. India surrogacy http://www.sfchronicle.com/local/bayarea/item/India-surrogacy-23858.php
This article gives you insight into the importance of education prior to undertaking surrogacy abroad - it's not a journey for everyone. And, in my own opinion, feel that it is more prudent to do this in one of the bigger cities with a bit more modern facilities and access to Embassies and FRRO.
You WILL have a c-section in India 99% of the time, you will have many questions, there will be barriers in communication along the way, but if you're working with a facilitator, like me, you do have more answers, or should anyway. Why do clinics shy away from this? On surrogate housing, Dr. Patel uses a dorm like setting because her clinic is rural and many of the women would have to travel too far for appointments and this gives the physicians and nurses, social workers access to them. Other physicians in larger cities believe in allowing the surrogate to live in her own home with supplies provided, and rents paid, others have smaller homes where there are only 2 surrogates per room. With Dr. Bakshi, the Intended Parents have a choice in where the surrogate lives.
It is heart wrenching to see the photo of the surrogate in this story struggling with pain after her c-section, trying to clothe her daughter. Why is someone not assisting with this? I do believe that c-sections are actually better for the surrogates themselves. The process of laboring for hours and hours combined with the actual pushing out of a life is so very emotional and I think creates a bigger bond between the surrogate and the baby she is carrying. As a woman who has had 24 hours of labor, followed by and emergency c-section, and then what we refer to in our home as a "drive through baby" scheduled c-section, I'll take the C-section over labor ANY day. The first week is tough, the incision burns like crazy, but I would imagine vaginal tearing would hurt just as much, and could also create more bladder issues for the surrogate moving forward. I would hope that the proper medications are given to the surrogates to assist with their pain. It is cruel to consider otherwise, and the article doesn't state if she is medicated or not.
Some in the industry may consider this story to be negative, but I think this is actually a great piece on what surrogacy looks like in rural India. And, the process worked! And usually does. Two families profoundly impacted positively. None of us can imagine being excited over an essential hole in the ground as a bathroom, but this is now something that this family has that they did not have before. $50.00 a month salary for the husband. $7,000 + for 10 months of family separation, train rides, inconveniences and great commitment from this generous woman. Which gives that family a greater chance at a future? For SOMETHING?
I am sure this will cause some stir among the naysayers, but I think that this piece is tremendous. India surrogacy http://www.sfchronicle.com/local/bayarea/item/India-surrogacy-23858.php
