IVF Treatment vs Surrogacy: Comparing Cost And Success Rates in India

Words like IVF and surrogacy are sometimes used interchangeably, but did you know that they’re not the same? They are both very different, yet effective, assisted reproductive technologies that help intended parents have children. They follow different processes, characteristics, eligibilities, and risks. Deciding which one is better for you can be difficult, which is why we’re bringing you a detailed guide to IVF treatment vs surrogacy in India.

What is IVF?

IVF, or in vitro fertilization, is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) that involves fertilizing the eggs with sperm in a laboratory, outside the woman’s body.

Who Should Choose IVF?

IVF treatment is a highly versatile fertility treatment that is recommended for the vast majority of infertile couples. It is used to treat both male and female infertility issues.

We recommend IVF to patients who:

• Have low sperm count, poor sperm motility or abnormal sperm morphology
• Are you dealing with unexplained infertility
• Are you planning on using donor eggs or donor sperm
• Have blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
• Have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or endometriosis
• Have primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)
• We were born without ovaries or have had them removed
• Have advanced maternal age or diminished ovarian reserve

The Process of IVF Treatment

In the IVF process, the goal is to increase the number of healthy eggs the female partner produces so that she has greater chances during the fertilization and implantation stage.

The woman receives hormonal medications to stimulate her ovaries to produce more eggs. Once these eggs are mature, a fertility specialist will retrieve them via a minor surgical procedure. The clinic also collects a sperm sample from the male partner.

The doctor mixes the sperm with the eggs and carefully monitors their development into embryos. They then select the healthiest, most viable embryo and transfer it into the female partner’s womb. Once the embryo implants on her uterine lining, she will test positive for pregnancy.

IVF treatment can be emotionally challenging, especially during the stages of ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer. This stress may arise due to the side effects of treatments and hormonal medication, as well as emotional uncertainty.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is a fertility treatment in which a surrogate carries the child of a couple where the woman is unable to bear children, usually due to medical reasons. The child is genetically related to the intended parents and not the surrogate.

As per the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, only altruistic surrogacy is allowed in India, which means the surrogate is not compensated in any way besides necessary medical expenses. To be eligible, you have to be a heterosexual couple who have been married for at least 5 years.

Divorced or widowed women are also eligible, provided they are dealing with medical issues that prevent them from carrying a child. Additionally, one of the two gametes has to come from the intended parents. Single men, LGBTQ+ couples, and unmarried partners are currently not eligible under Indian surrogacy laws.

Who Should Choose Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is a highly regulated process in India, and many patients are hesitant to even consider it at first. However, it is a safe and legal way for many women to have their own biological child. Surrogacy is recommended to women who:

• Have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss
• Have medical conditions that make it dangerous to carry a child
• Were born without a functioning uterus or have had it removed
• Have medical conditions like Asherman’s syndrome or adenomyosis, which make their uterus unsuitable for pregnancy

At Bloom IVF, we support patients through every step, whether you choose IVF or surrogacy.

The Process of Surrogacy Treatment

You may be surprised to find out that IVF is used in the surrogacy process! The intended mother goes through ovarian stimulation and the egg retrieval process. At Bloom IVF fertility clinic, the intended father will also deliver a sample of sperm or undergo sperm retrieval.

Once the gametes have been collected, an embryologist mixes the eggs and sperm to facilitate the process of fertilization. The resulting embryos are allowed to develop in the laboratory until they are ready to be transferred to the surrogate’s uterus.

Post embryo transfer, the surrogate carries the baby for about nine months and receives adequate medical care from the fertility clinic. She delivers the baby, after which the intended parents can take their child home on the same day.

Success Rates of IVF Treatment vs Surrogacy

The success rates of IVF vary depending on the patient. Younger women have a greater chance of success, as do patients who follow a healthy, active lifestyle. IVF success rates can range from 40% to 70% for women under 35, depending on factors like embryo quality, clinic expertise, and lifestyle.

Between IVF treatment vs surrogacy, the success rates of surrogacy are usually higher. This is because surrogates have already carried at least one pregnancy successfully and are extensively tested to ensure that they do not have any fertility issues.

Cost of IVF Treatment vs Surrogacy

IVF includes the cost of ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, embryo transfer and additional medical expenses like delivery charges, prenatal care, the cost of additional treatments like preimplantation genetic testing, sperm retrieval, etc. Although IVF treatment is not cheap, it is generally regarded as more affordable than surrogacy, and most couples can afford to undergo multiple rounds of IVF before achieving pregnancy.

Surrogacy is more expensive than IVF as it involves the cost of IVF plus legal fees, insurance coverage for the surrogate for at least thirty-six months, and additional medical charges such as prenatal care for the surrogate, delivery charges, etc.

Outlining the Key Differences Between IVF and Surrogacy

Surrogacy and IVF are different treatments that serve a similar purpose: helping infertile patients experience parenthood.

Factor	IVF	Surrogacy
When is it used?	The woman can carry a child but cannot get pregnant	Women who cannot carry a child
Who carries the pregnancy?	The intended mother carries the child	Another woman (surrogate) carries the child for the intended mother
Legal status	Yes, IVF is legal in India	Only altruistic and gestational surrogacy is legal in India
Legal process required?	No legal formalities or paperwork required	Legal contracts and documents are required to prove eligibility
Timeframe	6 months to 1 year	The time taken to complete all legal processes and screen the surrogate, plus the time for IVF treatment (6 months-1 year)
Cost	₹1.5–2.5 lakhs per cycle	₹10–20 lakhs

In India, surrogacy is nothing like what’s shown in popular films. It is a heavily regulated process with legal guidelines that prevent the exploitation of marginalized women. Only those patients who need it for medical reasons can avail of surrogacy services in the country.

Choosing IVF treatment vs surrogacy can be tricky, especially if you qualify for altruistic surrogacy in India. Most couples who are diagnosed with infertility issues will try IVF first, as it is more accessible and affordable and does not require you to follow a legal process. Any reputable fertility clinic like Bloom IVF will not recommend surrogacy if IVF is still an option.

Final Thoughts

Surrogacy becomes a necessary choice when a woman cannot safely carry a pregnancy due to health complications or uterine conditions. It provides a way to have a genetically related child without the physical risks of pregnancy.

To make an informed decision between IVF and surrogacy, we recommend consulting medical professionals, fertility specialists, lawyers, and financial advisors and speaking to people who had to make the same choice. At the end of the day, choosing between IVF treatment vs surrogacy is a deeply personal decision and depends on medical, emotional, financial, and legal factors.

Both IVF and surrogacy have helped thousands of patients have children. With guidance and support from the right fertility team, your journey can be a hopeful and successful one. Consult a trusted fertility clinic like Bloom IVF and take the first step toward parenthood.

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