Gestational Surrogacy
The journey to parenthood is not always a straight path, but the destination—holding your healthy baby in your arms—is always worth it. For many couples facing complex medical challenges, the dream of a biological child can seem distant. Gestational surrogacy bridges that gap, offering a miracle when traditional conception isn’t possible.
At Ferty9, we understand the deep emotional weight of this decision. It is important to clarify the most common misconception immediately: In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate has No genetic link to your baby. She is a compassionate carrier who nurtures your child until birth. Your baby is created using your eggs and sperm (or donor gametes if medically indicated), ensuring the biological connection remains entirely with you.
With success rates ranging from 55% to 75%, our program combines advanced medical science with strict legal compliance and heartfelt support. We are here to guide you home to your baby.
What is Gestational Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy is an assisted reproductive arrangement where a woman (the gestational carrier) carries a pregnancy for the Intended Parents. Unlike traditional methods, the surrogate does not provide her own egg.
- The Carrier: She provides a safe, healthy womb for the baby to grow.
- The Genetics: The embryo is created via IVF using the Intended Parents’ genetic material (or donors).
- The Result: You are the biological parents of the child born.
How Gestational Surrogacy Works
The process relies on In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Eggs are retrieved from the Intended Mother (or donor) and fertilized with the Intended Father’s sperm in our state-of-the-art laboratory. The resulting healthy embryo is then transferred into the uterus of the gestational surrogate. She carries the pregnancy to term, and upon birth, the baby is legally and biologically yours.
Gestational Surrogacy vs. Other Fertility Options
Understanding how this path differs from others is crucial for making an informed decision.
Gestational Surrogacy vs. Traditional Surrogacy
| Aspect | Gestational Surrogacy | Traditional Surrogacy |
| Surrogate’s Genetic Link | NONE | YES (Her own egg is used) |
| Baby’s Genetics | 100% Yours/Donor | Mixed (Surrogate is bio-mother) |
| Process | IVF + Embryo Transfer | IUI (Artificial Insemination) |
| Legal in India | YES (The ONLY legal option) | NO (Banned) |
| Emotional Complexity | Lower (Carrier role only) | Higher (Surrogate is genetic parent) |
| Parental Rights | Clear legal path | Complex/Risky |
Gestational Surrogacy vs. Egg Donation
This comparison helps clarify if you need a carrier or healthy eggs.
| Factor | Gestational Surrogacy | Egg Donation |
| Genetic Connection | Your Eggs – YES | Donor’s Eggs – NO |
| Pregnancy Carrying | Surrogate carries | YOU carry the pregnancy |
| Duration | 10-14 months (surrogate involvement) | 1-2 months (donor involvement) |
| Cost | ₹20 – 30 Lakhs (approx.) | ₹1.2 – 1.5 Lakhs (donor fees) |
| Timeline | 12-18 months total | 2-3 months + 9 months pregnancy |
| Your Role | Genetic parent (not carrying) | Carrying parent (not genetic) |
| Best For | Uterine problems, health risks | Poor egg quality, healthy uterus |
Gestational Surrogacy vs. IVF with Intended Mother
Standard IVF is always the first choice. Surrogacy becomes necessary only when the Intended Mother cannot safely carry a pregnancy to term. If you have healthy eggs and a healthy uterus, IVF is the path. If your uterus is absent, damaged, or unable to sustain a pregnancy, or if pregnancy poses a life-threatening risk to you, gestational surrogacy is the medical solution.
Medical Conditions Indicating Need for Gestational Surrogacy
Under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, surrogacy is permitted only for specific medical indications. These include:
- MRKH Syndrome (Müllerian Agenesis): Born without a uterus or with an underdeveloped uterus.
- Unicornuate Uterus: A uterine defect (single horn) leading to severe pregnancy complications.
- Asherman’s Syndrome: Severe uterine scarring and adhesions, often from past surgeries.
- Multiple Uterine Fibroids: Large or numerous fibroids that make implantation impossible.
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: 3 or more miscarriages despite healthy embryos.
- Previous Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus due to cancer or complications.
- Severe Endometriosis: Extensive tissue growth that prevents successful pregnancy carrying.
- Immune Disorders: Conditions preventing the body from sustaining a pregnancy.
- Cardiac or Respiratory Conditions: Where the physical strain of pregnancy endangers the mother’s life.
- Cancer Survivors: Post-chemotherapy cases where uterine health is compromised.
- Multiple Failed IVF Cycles: 3+ unsuccessful embryo transfers despite good quality embryos.
- Poor Egg Quality: (In conjunction with uterine issues) or advanced maternal age requiring donor help + surrogacy.
Eligibility Criteria & Requirements
To proceed with surrogacy in India, strict legal criteria must be met.
Intended Parents Eligibility (India)
- Marital Status: Must be a legally married heterosexual couple (married for at least 5 years).
- Age Limits: Female: 23–50 years; Male: 26–55 years.
- Citizenship: Indian Citizens, OCI (Overseas Citizen of India), or NRI.
- Medical Proof: A Certificate of Infertility/Medical Indication from a District Medical Board is mandatory.
- Parentage: The couple must have NO surviving children (biological or adopted). Exception: If they have a child with a life-threatening disorder or severe disability.
- Certificates Required: Certificate of Essentiality (from appropriate authority) and Certificate of Eligibility.
- NOT Eligible: Same-sex couples, single males, live-in partners, or foreigners (non-OCI).
- Note: Single women (widow/divorcee, age 35-45) are eligible.
Gestational Carrier (Surrogate) Requirements
- Age: 25–35 years is the preferred range.
- Marital Status: Must be a married woman with at least one child of her own.
- Health: Physically and mentally fit with no serious medical conditions.
- History: Must have at least one successful full-term delivery and no more than 3-5 total pregnancies.
- Lifetime Limit: A woman can act as a surrogate ONLY ONCE in her lifetime.
- Relationship: Initially restricted to close relatives, 2023 amendments allow any “willing woman” who meets criteria.
- Lifestyle: Non-smoker, no drug use, stable living environment.
Medical Screening Requirements
Before matching, surrogates undergo rigorous testing:
- Infectious Disease: HIV, Hepatitis B/C, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and CMV testing.
- Reproductive Evaluation: Transvaginal ultrasound and Hysteroscopy to confirm a healthy uterus capable of carrying a baby.
- General Health: Complete physical exam, BMI check, blood counts, thyroid function, and metabolic panels.
- Psychological: Mandatory mental health evaluation to ensure emotional readiness.
Step-by-Step Gestational Surrogacy Journey
Phase 1: Consultation & Medical Assessment (Weeks 1-4)
We begin with a free consultation to review your medical history. Our specialists assess your eligibility for surrogacy and discuss the financial and legal overview.
Phase 2: Legal & Psychological Preparation (Weeks 5-12)
We guide you through the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. You will undergo mandatory counseling and work to obtain the Certificate of Essentiality and Certificate of Medical Indication from the District Medical Board.
Phase 3: Surrogate Screening & Matching (Weeks 13-20)
A suitable surrogate is identified. She undergoes complete medical, reproductive, and psychological screening. We facilitate an introduction meeting to ensure compatibility and alignment of expectations.
Phase 4: Legal Contracts & Parentage Order (Weeks 21-28)
Lawyers draft a comprehensive Altruistic Surrogacy Agreement. This covers medical coverage, insurance (36 months), and responsibilities. A Parentage Order application is filed with a First Class Magistrate to establish your legal rights.
Phase 5: IVF Cycle – Egg Retrieval (Weeks 29-44)
The Intended Mother (or donor) undergoes ovarian stimulation. We monitor egg growth and perform the egg retrieval. In the lab, eggs are fertilized with the father’s sperm to create embryos, which may undergo genetic testing (PGT) if needed.
Phase 6: Surrogate Preparation & Embryo Transfer (Weeks 45-60)
The surrogate takes medication to prepare her uterine lining. Once ready (lining >8mm), a single best-quality embryo is transferred into her uterus in a quick, painless procedure. She rests, and hormonal support continues.
Phase 7: Pregnancy Confirmation (Weeks 61-74)
10-12 days after transfer, a Beta HCG blood test confirms pregnancy. An ultrasound at 6 weeks confirms the fetal heartbeat.
Phase 8: Pregnancy & Prenatal Care (Weeks 75-200)
The surrogate receives regular prenatal care, including scans, nutritional counseling, and health checkups. You are kept informed at every milestone.
Phase 9: Labor, Delivery & Birth (Weeks 201-210)
Delivery takes place at Ferty9 or a partner hospital. The medical team manages the birth, ensuring the safety of both surrogate and baby.
Phase 10: Legal Finalization & Transition (Weeks 211-220)
The birth certificate is issued with the Intended Parents’ names. The surrogate is discharged with post-delivery care and support, marking the completion of her noble journey.
Gestational Surrogacy Success Rates
Success largely depends on the quality of the egg/embryo.
- Success by Intended Mother’s Age (Own Eggs):
- Under 35: 55-60%
- 35-37 years: 42-50%
- 38-40 years: 27-40%
- Over 40: 15-30%
- Success with Donor Eggs: 85-99% (Since egg quality is optimal).
- Surrogate Factor: Using a screened, healthy surrogate (age 25-35) significantly boosts live birth rates.
- Cumulative Success: While the first transfer has a ~55% success rate, cumulative success after 2-3 attempts rises to 75-90%.
Gestational Surrogacy Cost at Ferty9
At Ferty9, we believe in complete financial transparency. In accordance with Indian law, our program is Altruistic, meaning there is no commercial payment to the surrogate. Costs cover medical and legal necessities:
- Medical Procedures: IVF cycle, ICSI, embryo culture, and embryo transfer.
- Surrogate Care: Pre-natal checkups, delivery charges, nutritional support, and postpartum care.
- Insurance: Mandatory 36-month health insurance coverage for the surrogate.
- Legal & Administrative: Legal documentation, affidavit processing, and clinic administrative fees.
Please contact us for a customized fee structure based on your specific medical needs.
Why Choose Ferty9 for Gestational Surrogacy?
- Strict Legal Compliance: We strictly adhere to the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, ensuring your journey is legally secure.
- High Success Rates: Our advanced lab technology and rigorous screening protocols deliver superior outcomes.
- Comprehensive Support: From legal paperwork to emotional counselling, we handle every detail.
- Ethical Care: We prioritize the health and dignity of our surrogates, ensuring they are treated with the utmost respect and care.
This page was last updated on :
8 Jan 2026
Foreign citizens (without OCI status) are not eligible for surrogacy in India. The law strictly limits these services to Indian citizens and OCI holders to prevent commercial exploitation.
Yes. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders are eligible for surrogacy in India, provided they are a legally married couple and meet the age/medical criteria.
Since you pay only for medical and legal costs (not a surrogate fee), payments are made in installments at specific milestones (e.g., registration, IVF start, pregnancy confirmation). Ferty9 offers EMI options and financing assistance to make the process manageable.
In the altruistic model, parents often find a surrogate from their own network (friends/family). If you cannot find one, Ferty9 can assist in connecting you with a willing candidate who meets all legal and medical criteria. Mutual compatibility is verified before proceeding.
Mandatory psychological counseling is provided for both the surrogate and the intended parents to prepare for the emotional journey, ensure informed consent, and prevent postpartum depression.
Yes, since altruistic surrogacy often involves a willing woman or relative, many families choose to stay in touch. However, clear boundaries are established during counseling to ensure everyone’s emotional well-being.
This is legally protected. The surrogate signs a binding agreement before the cycle starts, relinquishing all rights. Under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, the child is deemed the biological child of the intended parents from birth, and the surrogate has no legal claim to custody.
The intended parents must provide health insurance coverage for the surrogate for a period of 36 months (3 years). This ensures she is protected long after the delivery.
- Single Women: Yes, if she is a widow or divorcee between the ages of 35 and 45.
- Single Men: No, single men are not currently eligible under the Act.
Currently, No. Indian law restricts surrogacy to married heterosexual couples and specific categories of single women (widows/divorcees).
It is a legal order passed by a First Class Magistrate court after the birth. It formally establishes you as the legal parents and confirms that the surrogate has no parental rights or obligations toward the child.
The birth certificate will bear the names of the Intended Parents (you and your spouse). The surrogate’s name is not mentioned on the birth certificate, ensuring your legal parentage is clear from day one.
Yes. Research shows that children born via surrogacy are as healthy as those born via natural conception or standard IVF. The surrogate undergoes rigorous infectious disease screening (HIV, Hep B/C, etc.) to ensure the baby’s safety.
The surrogate is covered by a mandatory 36-month health insurance policy purchased by the intended parents. This covers all postpartum complications and medical treatments required for her recovery.
Yes, intended parents are usually present at the hospital for the birth to bond with the baby immediately, subject to hospital policy and the surrogate’s comfort.
It is common not to succeed on the first try. We typically create multiple embryos in one IVF cycle. If the first transfer fails, we can perform a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) in the next cycle without restarting the whole IVF process. A surrogate can undergo up to 3 embryo transfer attempts.
Yes, Altruistic Gestational Surrogacy is legal and strictly regulated under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. Commercial surrogacy (paying a surrogate for profit) is illegal.
Yes, but with conditions. As per the March 2024 Supreme Court amendment, you can use donor eggs only if the intended mother has a medical condition (like absent uterus or premature ovarian failure) certified by the District Medical Board. The husband’s sperm must be used to ensure a genetic link.
Ideally, yes. Indian law prioritizes the child having a genetic link to the intended parents. However, recent legal changes allow flexibility if there is a medical necessity.
The entire journey usually takes 12 to 18 months.
- Months 1-3: Medical testing, legal counseling, and matching.
- Months 4-5: IVF cycle and embryo transfer.
- Months 6-14: Pregnancy monitoring.
- Month 15+: Birth and legal exit process (birth certificate/court order).
The cost typically ranges from ₹15 Lakhs to ₹20 Lakhs. Since commercial surrogacy is banned, this covers:
- Medical procedures (IVF, delivery, hospitalization).
- Surrogate’s insurance and care.
- Legal and administrative fees.
Success depends heavily on the quality of the egg and sperm.
- Self-Cycle (Your Eggs <35): ~55–60% per transfer.
- Donor Cycle: ~75–95% success rate, as eggs from young, healthy donors are used.
- Cumulative Success: 90%+ couples achieve pregnancy within 3 attempts.
Under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2023, a surrogate must be:
- A married woman (aged 25–35) with at least one child of her own.
- Physically and psychologically fit.
- A “willing woman” (she no longer needs to be a “close relative,” allowing friends or extended family to help).
- She can act as a surrogate only once in her lifetime.
Yes, in most cases. The embryo is created using your egg and your partner’s sperm, so the child is 100% genetically yours.
- Update (March 2024): If one partner has a certified medical condition preventing them from providing gametes, the Supreme Court now allows the use of a donor egg or sperm (but not both; at least one gamete must come from the intending couple).
- Single Women (Widow/Divorcee): Must use their own eggs and donor sperm.
The key difference is genetics. In gestational surrogacy (the only legal form in India), the surrogate has no genetic link to the baby. She carries an embryo created using the intended parents’ (or donors’) egg and sperm. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s own egg is used, making her the biological mother—this practice is banned in India to protect legal parentage rights.