Mark and his Question

This past week-end we were at a friends house, and they had not seen the BBC segment on TV.  We decided to go to Utube to watch the video.   When Mark saw me, of course he was happy to see his  mom and was kissing the screen, but then he looked at  Nayana our surrogate and said who's that.  For some strange reason his question  caught me off guard.  In an instant I felt some strange sort of angst come over me, but than I caught myself and  finally said she is mommy's friend.  I'm starting to realize how much little kid's as well as grown up really do not understand the process of surrogacy.  I think I would like to write a short little children's book that totally simplifies the story.

My trip to Anand, India & New Delhi India

I just loved this!

Crystal & Nayana 18 1/2 weeks pregnant

Computers at the Surrogate House

One of Dr. Patels staff went to locate this couple, because this guy is from Libera and is studying for his Masters degree in Anand.  He was thrilled to meet another person of color.  He meet his wife while in Anand, and they will be going back after he finishes his studies.

Ceremony at the Surrogate House

International Airport in New Delhi

Well I'm back home and I had a very interesting time in India. The BBC filmed Najla and I while we were in Anand and it seemed to go well, but we shall see when it is broadcast within the next 7 days. The BBC was very interested in our thoughts about regulation of surrogacy in India, and I told them that I thought it would just breed more corruption. After having several meetings in India with IVF doctors, I still think the same way, however I do feel that regulation is needed but who would really enforce it. The BBC reporter asked if I thought the surrogates were being exploited at all, and I said no, and that I'm so tired of that thinking because no one every says that American surrogates are being exploited.  Indian surrogates get compensated as well as American surrogates when you look at the economics of the situation.   I was very happy to visit several clinics in New Delhi, so that I can offer my clients more options as well as make them aware that India does have state of the art clinics and several doctor's that make sure that intended parents get the highest optimal choice for success.
 
 
 
While in Anand, I shared in a ceremoney with the surrogates as well as visited with surrogates of clients who asked for photo's and for fresh fruit for their surrogates.  I was luckly enough to see my surrogate (Nayana) and be there when she was sonogramed.  It was thrilling to see our babies move around, because it makes you feel so much more connected.   While in Anand 3 surrogates gave birth to twins, and they were all one boy and one girl.  I will be back in Anand in December for the birth of our twins.  We are serioulsy thinking about moving to New Delhi, or Bangalore, India for 3-4 months of the year, so that our children will have a global life. 
 
It was great to seeing all of our friends that we have made in India and to break bread togather once again.  I know that when we arrive in December not only will there be celebrating during wedding season, but there will be lots of celebration in Anand and New Delhi for our son Mark as well as the twins.

FedEx and New Delhi

I have been tracking our container that is on its way to Gujarat, India.  Today is day 2 that is has been sitting in the airport in New Delhi.  I have already sent out e-mails in the hopes of getting this shipment moving...so I will let everyone know when it arrives.

I'm already anxious about the situation......

Mother Jones--Outsourced wombs.

After reading the Mother Jones article by Scott Carney, once again I felt nauseated by another American journalist who totally refused to honestly do his homework. The surrogate house in Anand is far better than the housing that the majority of surrogates come from. They are given nutritious meals and a clean bed, as well as an education. This compares well to other clinics. I'm aware of a surrogate at another clinic who was pregnant with twins, and she was sleeping on the floor when the intended parents arrived for the birth of the twin boys.

I always read about the women doctors who perform surrogacy in India, however the majority of surrogacy doctors in India are male. I'm sure that Scott Carney is a white male, who grew up in the US and has no clue of the reality of third world culture. If he lived in India I'm sure he would love it if he was only making $30 monthly that his wife would be so lucky to become a surrogate. This is the lottery for women in this culture who do not have many options, just as it is for American women in the same shoes. Secondly, he is incorrect about photos of Oprah being displayed throughout the clinic. Dr. Patel only has one signed autographed photo of Oprah in her clinic, and I have been to the clinic on several occasions and I have never seen more than one photo.

Thirdly, as a "Foreigner", I do love India because as a black woman I appreciate that Indian culture is tied to black culture. I can relate to India more than I can America. If Scott Carney is saying that white people only come because it is cheaper, then so be it. What's wrong with saving money?

Dr. Patel has nothing to hide. Unlike many clinics she does not use prostitutes, nor does she engage in giving people negatives just for the sake of making extra money. This is a billion dollar business and those who are corrupt will be found out sooner or later, maybe reporters from the US should concentrate on finding the truly corrupt clinics.

The Diksha that is mentioned in the article, was employeed with the clinic when our son was born, and told us then that she wanted to become a surrogate for the money We have photos with her and her two sons.  Her husband works and lives in Anand, so she didn't leave Napal to come to India for surrogacy.

Crystal Travis
http://www.worldofsurrogacy.com/

301-317-5589

Autralian Immigration Procedures for Surrogate Babies Born in India

We heard from Millie and Terie, Autralian clients of Dr. Patel in Anand, Gujarat, India. From their experience getting a newborn surrogate baby from Dr. Patel's clinic, they have provided a PDF file that I would like to attach to this post. This file explains procedures for getting surrogate babies from India to Austrtalia.

However, only cool multimedia things like videos can be attached to a blog. At least that is what I read on a forum: "You can only upload video and images to blog. There is no ftp or Public_html folder".

So if you want the information about getting babies from India to Australia, please contact me directly: crystaldt@gmail.com.