How long does the surrogacy process take?

The surrogacy process typically takes 12-18 months, depending on legal, medical, and other factors.

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Shubhangi
31 July 2025

The surrogacy process usually takes around 12 to 18 months from start to finish. It begins with finding a surrogate (which can take time), followed by medical evaluations, legal procedures, and the IVF process. Once the embryo is successfully implanted, the pregnancy itself lasts the usual nine months.

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shailesh pandey
01 August 2025

My friend’s cousin went through surrogacy in India recently, so I’ve got a real sense of the timeline. The whole surrogacy process in India, under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, usually takes 12-18 months, but it can vary. Here’s the breakdown in simple terms:

• Finding a Surrogate (1-3 months): Since it’s altruistic surrogacy, you need a close relative (25-35, married, with a kid) to volunteer. Getting her medical and psychological checks done, plus legal paperwork (eligibility certificate), takes a few weeks to months.
• IVF Prep and Embryo Creation (2-3 months): The intending mother (or egg donor) gets hormone shots for 10-14 days to produce eggs. Egg retrieval, sperm collection, and lab work to make embryos take another 2-3 weeks. If donor eggs/sperm are needed, add a bit more time.
• Embryo Transfer (1 month): Transferring the embryo to the surrogate’s uterus is quick (10 mins), but syncing her cycle with meds takes 2-4 weeks. You wait 2 weeks for a pregnancy test.
• Pregnancy (9 months): If successful, the surrogate carries the baby for 9 months, like a regular pregnancy.
• Post-Birth Legal Stuff (1-2 months): After birth, legal steps to transfer parenthood to the intending couple take a few weeks, depending on local authorities.

Real Talk: My friend’s cousin took 15 months total, but delays (like failed transfers or paperwork) can stretch it to 2 years. Check with a clinic like AIIMS or a lawyer to plan better.

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