Sambhavna Seth announces pregnancy via surrogacy; Doctor explains who qualifies and why it is 'never a first choice'

Sambhavna Seth and her husband Avinash Dwivedi have announced their pregnancy via surrogacy after 10 years of marriage. While the medical procedure is often hailed for transforming lives, expert warns that surrogacy is not for everyone and is never the first choice.

After a decade of marriage, several failed IVFs and a miscarriage, Sambhavna Seth has announced her pregnancy with husband Avinash Dwivedi via surrogacy.

The actor, who has been vocal about her infertility struggles and IVF cycles, have taken to Instagram to share the happy news.

Alongside a carousel of images, Seth wrote in the caption, "We Are PREGNANT. Our most beautiful story is now in production, through love, hope, and SURROGACY. Countdown Begins."

In the images, Seth can be seen tickled pink, and so her husband, as the couple break down the much-awaited news of their pregnancy.

Several celebrities including Gauahar Khan, Dipika Kakkar Ibrahim and Sonali Raut have congratulated the couple in the comment section of the post.

Seth, who has predominantly worked in the Bhojpuri industry and is known for Bigg Boss Season 2 and Season 8, has openly accepted the mental toll her infertility took on her. Hence, given her situation and health battles, surrogacy seems to have saved the day for the couple.

But what does the law say about surrogacy?

Surrogacy in India is governed by the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, which permits surrogacy for married couples facing infertility or those who have a child with physical/mental disabilities or terminal illness.

As per the law, a surrogate mother has to be a close relative or a willing woman, married, aged 25–35 and with at least one biological child. The surrogate mother does not receive any compensation, apart from receiving help in hospital bills and 36-months of health insurance.

"Surrogacy is not just a medical decision, it is a mixture of legal, emotional and ethical. So, clear medical indication like absent uterus, repeated implantation failure, medical contraindications to the pregnancies warrants surrogacy. Legally, it must comply with the Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021, only altruistic surrogacy is allowed, not commercial payment," Dr Sushma B R, Consultant, Infertility Specialist, Rainbow Children's Hospital, Bannerghatta IVF Center, said.

Proper documentation, consent and parentage clarity is needed for surrogacy. "More than anything, the transparency with the family, respect for the surrogate dignity and autonomy is important and preparedness for the societal perceptions is equally important," Dr Sushma opined.

Infertility is a stressor

Before announcing pregnancy via surrogacy, in several of her earlier vlogs, Seth has discussed the emotional and mental effects of infertility and the physical effects of IVF - weight gain, anxiety and lack of confidence.

Echoing in the words of Seth, Dr Sushma emphasizes that infertility is not just a diagnosis, it is a life stressor.

"It impacts mental health resulting in anxiety, depression, overthinking, loss of control and uncertainty followed by obsessive focus on fertility cycle, reports and outcomes. Then comes the grief, which builds up month after month, guilt and self-blame, especially for females, jealousy and, in some cases, complete withdrawal from the social circles," Dr Sushma said.

While Seth has, time and again, stressed on the fact that she found her support in her husband Avinash, not everyone is fortunate enough to have such a pillar of support.

"More than anything, infertility affects relationships resulting in strain between the partners, communication breakdown and sexual life becoming goal-orientated. Add to it, the physical effects like hormonal treatments, bloating, fatigue, mood swings, repeated procedures and physical exhaustions," she explained.

And this is when medical procedures like surrogacy comes into play.

"With art like surrogacy and IVF, the biological parenthood becomes possible even in complex cases. It overcomes the barriers like block tubes, poor ovarian reserve and uterine issues. So, genetic lineage can still be preserved. Most important, it shifts the narrative from impossible to possible," Dr Sushma stressed.

Is surrogacy for everyone?

While surrogacy is almost a life-saving option for many couples who struggle with fertility and yearn for a biological child, doctors suggest it is not for everyone and is never a first choice.

"Surrogacy is not for everyone. It is only medically indicated option and never a first choice. It may be suitable when uterus is absent like Mayer-Rokitansky syndrome, severe uterine diseases like Asherman's syndrome, repeated IVF failure, medical conditions where pregnancy is unsafe like cardiac disease and severe systemic illness," Dr Sushma explained.

She added that surrogacy is not for convenience or is definitely not a a shortcut to avoid pregnancy.

"One cannot opt for surrogacy for solely avoiding pregnancy related body changes or in situations where other simpler treatments like IVF and ovulation inductions can work," Dr Sushma clarified, while adding that under Indian law, strict eligibility criteria apply for both intended parents and surrogate.

"When done right, surrogacy just do not create pregnancies, it rebuilds hope, identity and families," Dr Sushma concluded.