Exactly what the title says. This is purely my experiance and MY OPINION based on what I've experienced.
I'm one of the few [of course I am :) ] in a position as an IP where I have experienced the surrogacy journey in both countries.
Again no need for anyone to get all huffed about what I'm going to write. Each and every IP will experiance something different, however I'm sure that some IPs would share some similarities in each country.
I'm from Australia so this is what was need for me.
What you need to get started.
Once you've chosen you Doctor and clinc.
INDIA
Medical visa which requires paperwork to be sent to VFS
- must have one IP of Australian citizen
- must be married for 2yrs
- provide marriage certificate
- must be a heterosexual couple
- choose your clinc I went directly to the clinics. No agent. [ but lucky Meg was working at the clinic I choose ]
- have your "tests" sent to clinics.
- fresh transfer is the only way to have your biological child, as no shipment of frozen embryos are allowed anymore.
- choose a time frame that suits you and clinic for ET
- surrogate profiles are sent out. You can pick a surrogate or you can leave it up to doctor to choose.
- Surrogacy visa are required paperwork application to VFS- provide a Statutory declaration stating you and your husband/wife will
Lawfully and legally provide for your child born through surrogacy. This must be signed by a JP
- A signed contract of your surrogacy contract. [ original, but a copy my be acceptable. ]
- photocopies of passport.
- $240.00 Aust Dollars for Surrogacy visas
- once you have visa check if it's valid for 3 months or 12. VFS have been inconsistent in this.
- Fill out FRRO forms and have lots of passport photos for these forms. [ only done once your are in india ]
Fresh cycle, Doctor monitoring drugs, and scans. Wonderful. Much better than here in Australia.
The updates of how your surrogate is medically including scans leading up to ET, are none. You have the choice of wether you meet your surrogate. But you can't meet your Donor.
Egg collection, doctor will come and speak with you and tell you how many were collected and will give you a date for ET. Recovery thankfully is not rushed Dr will advise day 3 or day 5. I've spoken with 2 Doctors in India both say a day 3 transfer is best.
- Must have one IP of Australian citizen
- choose your clinic
- choose whether you go directly through the clinic or use an agent.
[ I've used Megan Sainsbury ]
- If you have frozen embryos then choose a shipping company.
- Choosing a surrogate depends on if you go through an agent or clinic. But a surrogate is chosen for You.
Their prep and medical state is determined by the doctor.
- choose your donor [ Caucasian or Thai ]
- dates of cycle are sent
- book your tickets and accommodation.
Going through the process in both countries was very different, Again different clinics may do things differently.
We used a donor, so i don't know what the bed side manner of the doctor was like, but he later came out and spoke with us to tell us how many eggs were collected. And he believes in a day 5 transfer. ( as do i)
If your using a donor, you have a choice to meet with her if you like.
The updates of surrogate are wonderful, ultrasound scans are emailed with a scan of the uteral lining explaining thickness in detail. Every scan is emailed to you. Now the best part is images of your embryos are sent to you.
It's important to feel this connection we'll to me anyway. Nice to feel like your part of the process somehow.
In India when your baby is born your names as biological parents are on the Birth Certificate.
This is a big drawing card for India and is what won us over in the beginning. But honestly, now for me, it's simply a piece of paper that sits in a filing cabinet.
In India At this stage applying for exit visa and waiting time is appox 14 to 20 days. Before you can leave.
In Thailand the name of the surrogate mother is on the birth certificate, [which is also the protocol for surrogacy in Australia ]
What this means is that once you apply for your baby's exit visa waiting time is approximately 4 weeks to return to Australia soon after You can apply for a Parental Order.
For those who don't know, this is a court order that transfers parentage from the surrogate to the intended parent/s. This means the intended parents become the legal parents.
Based on my experiences, India, was a pleasant surprise. Doctors, nurses were great. Hospital and clinics were wonderful. However for me Thailand wins. For me is a better place nice environment ( especially since you need to be away for anywhere up to 2, 3, 5 weeks when you have baby pick up. The hospital is gorgeous. The clinic is like being in a friends living room. The doctors and nursing staff have a wonderful energy about them.
There's more to do in Thailand. It's super clean, modern, the people have a beautiful peace and respect about them and it's cheaper in terms of accommodation, food, and shopping.
I'm ending this by reminding you this is my option. I have no doubt that others who have been to both countries for the exact same reasons I have, have experienced something different.
And I'm not saying that I did not have a good experience in India ( regardless of my negative results) I'm simply saying I preferred my experience in Thailand more.
Fact is you want a baby. You will go to the end of the earth to have that. Where that point on the earth is, is your choice.
I'm one of the few [of course I am :) ] in a position as an IP where I have experienced the surrogacy journey in both countries.
Again no need for anyone to get all huffed about what I'm going to write. Each and every IP will experiance something different, however I'm sure that some IPs would share some similarities in each country.
I'm from Australia so this is what was need for me.
What you need to get started.
Once you've chosen you Doctor and clinc.
INDIA
Medical visa which requires paperwork to be sent to VFS
- must have one IP of Australian citizen
- must be married for 2yrs
- provide marriage certificate
- must be a heterosexual couple
- choose your clinc I went directly to the clinics. No agent. [ but lucky Meg was working at the clinic I choose ]
- have your "tests" sent to clinics.
- fresh transfer is the only way to have your biological child, as no shipment of frozen embryos are allowed anymore.
- choose a time frame that suits you and clinic for ET
- surrogate profiles are sent out. You can pick a surrogate or you can leave it up to doctor to choose.
- Surrogacy visa are required paperwork application to VFS- provide a Statutory declaration stating you and your husband/wife will
Lawfully and legally provide for your child born through surrogacy. This must be signed by a JP
- A signed contract of your surrogacy contract. [ original, but a copy my be acceptable. ]
- photocopies of passport.
- $240.00 Aust Dollars for Surrogacy visas
- once you have visa check if it's valid for 3 months or 12. VFS have been inconsistent in this.
- Fill out FRRO forms and have lots of passport photos for these forms. [ only done once your are in india ]
There are a lot of inconsistencies here too.You can refer to a past blog i wrote "Welcome to the Hunger Games, AKA FRRO
Fresh cycle, Doctor monitoring drugs, and scans. Wonderful. Much better than here in Australia.
The updates of how your surrogate is medically including scans leading up to ET, are none. You have the choice of wether you meet your surrogate. But you can't meet your Donor.
Egg collection, doctor will come and speak with you and tell you how many were collected and will give you a date for ET. Recovery thankfully is not rushed Dr will advise day 3 or day 5. I've spoken with 2 Doctors in India both say a day 3 transfer is best.
THAILAND. [ donor path ]
- Must have one IP of Australian citizen
- choose your clinic
- choose whether you go directly through the clinic or use an agent.
[ I've used Megan Sainsbury ]
- If you have frozen embryos then choose a shipping company.
- Choosing a surrogate depends on if you go through an agent or clinic. But a surrogate is chosen for You.
Their prep and medical state is determined by the doctor.
- choose your donor [ Caucasian or Thai ]
- dates of cycle are sent
- book your tickets and accommodation.
Going through the process in both countries was very different, Again different clinics may do things differently.
We used a donor, so i don't know what the bed side manner of the doctor was like, but he later came out and spoke with us to tell us how many eggs were collected. And he believes in a day 5 transfer. ( as do i)
If your using a donor, you have a choice to meet with her if you like.
The updates of surrogate are wonderful, ultrasound scans are emailed with a scan of the uteral lining explaining thickness in detail. Every scan is emailed to you. Now the best part is images of your embryos are sent to you.
It's important to feel this connection we'll to me anyway. Nice to feel like your part of the process somehow.
In India when your baby is born your names as biological parents are on the Birth Certificate.
This is a big drawing card for India and is what won us over in the beginning. But honestly, now for me, it's simply a piece of paper that sits in a filing cabinet.
In India At this stage applying for exit visa and waiting time is appox 14 to 20 days. Before you can leave.
In Thailand the name of the surrogate mother is on the birth certificate, [which is also the protocol for surrogacy in Australia ]
What this means is that once you apply for your baby's exit visa waiting time is approximately 4 weeks to return to Australia soon after You can apply for a Parental Order.
For those who don't know, this is a court order that transfers parentage from the surrogate to the intended parent/s. This means the intended parents become the legal parents.
Based on my experiences, India, was a pleasant surprise. Doctors, nurses were great. Hospital and clinics were wonderful. However for me Thailand wins. For me is a better place nice environment ( especially since you need to be away for anywhere up to 2, 3, 5 weeks when you have baby pick up. The hospital is gorgeous. The clinic is like being in a friends living room. The doctors and nursing staff have a wonderful energy about them.
There's more to do in Thailand. It's super clean, modern, the people have a beautiful peace and respect about them and it's cheaper in terms of accommodation, food, and shopping.
I'm ending this by reminding you this is my option. I have no doubt that others who have been to both countries for the exact same reasons I have, have experienced something different.
And I'm not saying that I did not have a good experience in India ( regardless of my negative results) I'm simply saying I preferred my experience in Thailand more.
Fact is you want a baby. You will go to the end of the earth to have that. Where that point on the earth is, is your choice.
As you say everyone has different experiences and different preferences. I think the most important thing is respecting everyones choice. We are all going through the same thing so why fight over what country or clinic is better? None are superior to another and we all just need to support each other. So hope you are successful very very shortly it's been a long wait for you. Best wishes to you.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, the purpose of this blog is my comparison to both countries. Like I've stated many times this is also documented for my future baby, not meant to be a "fight" over where is best. No matter how much research you do your experience will be unique wherever you are regardless. Thank you for your well wishes.
ReplyDeleteI agreed that Thailand is cleaner and much more entertaining than India. The food too is much better (for those who are about or trying to argue with me, beware that I have been to both countries, and I was fed and raised with 5 stars hotel food)! Geez, the mangos and the coconuts in Thailand were so good! However, with a NOC, heteosexual married couples can still ship their embies to India, and do the whole thing from their home country (except the pick-up of course).
ReplyDeleteI know about the NOC and have yet to know of anyone or a shipping company able to obtain one. If you know of any updated news please feel free to post x
ReplyDeleteI heard from Meg that some couples from USA were able to get the NOC and shipped the embie to Delhi. It took 3 months, and I am still waiting for mine. It is a bit paperwork intensive, but less than getting the medical visa.
ReplyDeleteHunny that's also another reason leaning toward Thailand. It's just easier. It's bad enough all the waiting time we endure while on the journey, now you have to wait for NOC and whoever decides to pull their finger out so you can start your family.... Too many officials non officials whatever's and whoevers in deciding or not deciding. Hope it moves quickly for you, Let me know how you go lovely x
DeleteI really like how you gave a balanced view of both India and Thailand. Just like there are lots of right ways to raise a child, I think there are lots of "right" paths to parenthood. Thanks for a really informative post!
ReplyDeletevery balanced, and no, its not a pissing contest between countries or clinics, nor between altruistic or commercial, many are burned by India, but that doesn't mean its not a good option for married hets.
ReplyDeleteIt is very different. India is like a big production chain with some annoyances like visa requirement, inconsistent government policy, lack of transparency with some clinics, and emerging country food and entertainment. However, if things goes well, parents names are on the birth cert and the whole transaction is done.
ReplyDeleteThailand is a more developed emerging country with no visa requirement, clinics are new and transparent, the city is more civilized, entertainment is awesome, food is amazing. The industry is young and spend their focus on building their reputation instead of milking IPs dry. However, the gov can change their laws like the Indians did last year, and the surromom can keep the baby.
If someone can give me more clarity on how to take the baby back to Quebec, Canada step-by-step from Thailand, I will consider a vacation in Bangkok asap. I gained like 10 lbs last time I vacationed in Phuket! Simply Amazing!
I'll ask Kim. She may have some idea as to what is needed. Stay tuned :)
DeleteChoco - I can help a bit with this for you! You can get the citizenship and passport for the babies born in Thailand, basically in a similar time frame as India. HOWEVER, if you want to have second parent rights, there are some additional steps in Thailand that may take a bit more time and require a second trip to Thailand. I am actively working on this subject. As Andy said "stay tuned". I still work in both India and Thailand, and we are comparing two totally different countries. Vastly different, culturally and legally. I could live in Bangkok, but I know that India is still a complicated, but viable option for heterosexual couples, and the rights of the intended mother is much easier at this point to obtain. Transparency in all dealings is KEY to selecting an clinic in any country. I do have this now with clinics in BOTH countries. I do brag a lot about this on my blog. I just got two more positive betas from Bangkok this morning, so I'm super excited today!
ReplyDelete