Times of India
14 May 2010
Ahmedabad, India

Little Annabelle’s parents–Kate and Ian–both lawyers, were working in Australia when she was conceived in a womb here in Ahmedabad. As Anabelle grew in the surrogate’s womb, Ian and Kate followed her progress online and finally flew down on May 8, two days before their girl was delivered on May 10.

Technology advancements in the field of surrogacy like cryopreservation have made it possible for children to be conceived even in absentia. Like it happened in the case of Anabelle.

Doctors made embryos using Kate’s eggs which were picked up from her ovaries during a quick two–day trip from Australia. She even took the final injection for the release of the eggs on board her flight to Ahmedabad. Ian did not come for this trip as his sperms were already frozen during an earlier trip.

“Kate left after the egg pick up and the embryo’s were frozen in liquid nitrogen at – 196 degrees for two days till the womb surrogate, a Gujarati woman, became medically ready for the transfer of the embryo,” said Dr Manish Banker of Pulse Women’s Hospital which has a tie–up with IVF Melbourne, Australia for fertility related treatments.

“We were informed of the pregnancy by Dr Manish Banker and Dr Pravin Patel. We were very happy and waited with bated breath for the birth of the daughter,” Kate told TOI.

In between, Ian came for the 20–week scan to ensure that the child is growing fine in the surrogate’s womb and does not suffer any congenital defect. Doctors said that Kate and Ian were referred to Pulse Hospital by IVF Melbourne, Australia for the surrogate pregnancy as Kate’s uterus was removed due to a complication in her f

First pregnancy making in imperative for her to hire a womb to get a second child.

The first pregnancy of the couple which was conceived by the surrogate earlier had resulted in a miscarriage. The couple, however, did not lose hope and tried a second time. “It is difficult to find paid surrogates in Australia. Also, going to US would have been prohibitive,” said Ian.

“The tie–ups of local and foreign centres make it easy for couples. They have to spend less time here with most of the initial treatment like giving injections to stimulate ovulation done there only,” said Dr Patel.