WOMBASTIC AGREEMENT!!

My husband and I believe our marital biography, if ever written, would be divided in two parts – B.A – Before Avi {our first born} & A.A – {after Avi}.

There may be varied kinds of parents today– married, divorced, single mother, single father & foster parents – but the bond between a parent and child is still as pure as it has known to be.

The world over, irrespective of culture or financial status, a child birth, is considered an inane happiness. Toughest of hearts melt seeing those hazy movements on the tiny ultrasound screen as the mother lay with her plateau uncovered during sonography. And when these buggers’ zap in our lives, there nappies change the aromas of our environs for good. Soon the weekends become all about their massage with that most exotic oil, most often suggested by another crazy-silly-new mom. I have seen all greedy parents snooping from the corner of their doorway, while these little hearts snooze with an invisible halo around them.

But there is another side of this story. There are some people, who are not blessed with this happiness at instant. This melodious cry takes years to come to their ears. My heart gets grieved, even thinking about the couples who stay in the longing.

But when there’s a will, there’s a way. And one such way leads to IVF and surrogacy specialist, Dr Nayna Patel’s hospital in Anand in Gujarat.

As you read this, she might be planning to bring happiness in yet another family. After all, she has delivered more than 10000 babies through surrogacy IVF. Over the years she has treated couples from all across the world. Today Dr Nayna Patel’s name is synonymous with IVF surrogacy, but as I asked her to reflect upon the years gone by, she had just one sentiment – “We generally get couples who have been trying to conceive for many years. Earlier people used to be skeptical about IVF treatments. Over the years this notion has changed. Even now, after so many years, whenever I see a new-born baby in hands of such a couple, that moment is priceless. I think I am extremely fortunate that to bring this joy in lives of so many couples. And all those ladies, who agreed to become the surrogate, and earned financial independence for themselves.” She added, “with increasing stress, and decreasing health of young couples, even a natural process like childbirth has become so complicated. Over the years number of these cases have increased. Thankfully, people are now more aware and receptive of IVF treatments.”

Dr Nayna Patel, had started her career as an infertility specialist. Then she was approached by NRI couple, who were trying to conceive for many years. This first case got her immediate popularity. As the surrogate, was Asia’s 1^st and World’s 5^th surrogate grandmother. In this historical event the couple’s embryos were implanted in the patient’s mother as the patient had MRKH syndrome (hypo plastic uterus). This first case became so popular that her journey was documented by of Oprah Winfrey, BBC & National Geographic Channel.  

‘The Surrogate House’ run by her is a beautiful abode, where these ladies who agree to become surrogate spend nine months nurturing happiness for a destitute couple. Like they say, Rome wasn’t built in day, Dr Patel’s journey of creating Asia’s biggest surrogate center has an interesting story behind it. Anand was rather known as the Milk Town of Ahmadabad, but now it is equally popular as the Surrogacy Town of India. I wonder, how this would have started? “Once a mid-wife Kundal, suggested her daughter’s name as a surrogate for a couple who had come for IVF treatment. Kundal’s daughter was in dire-need of finances. After due medical diligence we found her fit to become a surrogate. To me it was a medical benediction, the couple was blessed with a baby, and the girl could sort her financial problem too.” 

But society has its way of questioning goodness. Once the goons vandalised her hospital and alleged that she might be running a brothel. “People did not know anything about IVF. We had to educate them. This holds true for both sides. Initially, the families would ask us volley of questions. And the surrogate’s side being not so educated had even weird queries.”

Needless to say, the treatment needs extreme precautions and care. “From the time, I am approached by a couple, till the baby is born, there are several checks and measures to ensure the well-being of the baby and the surrogate even after the delivery.” 

At any point there are at least 70 surrogates at Dr Patel’s facility. “We take care of their medical, physical and emotional requirements. There are recreational facilities, and various other activities for these ladies. We make sure that there are several interactions between the couple and the surrogate to ensure a healthy bonding. Every surrogate becomes a part of our trust. Thus, we make sure that they are financially independent for lifetime.”

Dr Patel has been felicitated by various state, national and global authorities. Interestingly, there’s a Gujrati play written on her work on surrogacy, Miss Phul Gulabi and there are two books Asha Nu Antim Kiran and The Last Ray of Hope, written by Mr. Karshan Bhadarka.

While Dr Patel’s work has given happiness to more than 10,000 couples, the financial implication for the lady who agree to become a surrogate is huge. “A surrogate earns between 2.5L to 7L for bearing one child. One of my surrogate’s daughter could do her medical studies with the money her mother had earned. She is now a doctor with us. There are various such stories, these ladies use this money to secure themselves a house and education for their kids.”

While talking to Dr Patel, I could feel a sense of clarity, and determination, which is essential to bring about any change. It is commendable the way she has put her medical knowledge to create Asia’s biggest Surrogate Center. Geographically, she may be located in small town, but her work speaks volumes for her achievements. Take a bow from thePeopleBazaar… Dr Nayna Patel!

Princy Jain
connect@princyjain.com