Surrogacy in Iran

Gestational Surrogacy is a medical procedure that involves a woman carrying a child for another person or couple. In recent years, surrogacy has become an increasingly popular option for couples who are unable to conceive naturally. Iran is one of the cheapest countries for surrogacy, where the procedure is legal for both Iranian citizens and foreigners. The cost of surrogacy in Iran for foreigners is significantly lower than in other countries. This makes Iran an attractive destination for couples who cannot afford the high costs of surrogacy in their home countries. 

Additionally, many foreigners wonder, "Is surrogacy in Iran safe?". It is worth mentioning that the country has a well-established healthcare system and experienced doctors trained in the latest assisted reproductive technology techniques. In this article, we will explore the cost of surrogacy in Iran, its safety, and legal considerations for foreigners.

What Is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is an assisted reproduction method in which the sperm and egg of a couple are fertilized in the laboratory. The resulting embryo is transferred to the uterus of a surrogate mother. This method is used when the biological mother loses the whole uterus or some parts of the genital tract. Also, doctors recommend surrogacy for women with life-threatening diseases that make the pregnancy dangerous.

In most cases, the intended (biological) parents use their sperm and eggs for surrogacy, but sometimes, a donated egg is required. It is noteworthy that gestational surrogacy cannot use a mother's eggs. This means that the gestational carrier has no genetic relationship with her child.

Is Surrogacy Legal in Iran?

Iran is one of the leading countries in offering fertility treatments. There are fertility treatment centers in Iran that provide a variety of advanced treatment methods for infertile couples. Iran's brilliant history in offering several different types of treatments to achieve pregnancy and a high level of satisfaction in this regard have made this country a hub for fertility treatment in the Middle East.

Surrogacy is one of the most popular assisted reproduction techniques for infertile couples. As you may know, surrogacy is illegal in some countries, so many infertile couples travel to other countries to receive this service. It seems that the cost of performing surrogacy in Iran is lower than in other countries, which is an excellent reason for many foreign couples to choose Iran as their treatment destination. However, it should be noted that surrogacy in Iran is only available for heterosexual couples, so homosexual couples and single parents cannot use this healthcare service in this country. Once you have decided to use this fertility treatment, the Raadina team will assist you in legal procedures in Iran and your home country.  

Surrogacy in Iran for Foreigners

In Iran, surrogacy is done in 8 steps:

1. Finding the right fertility center and infertility institute
2. Plan the Trip to Iran
3. Medical examinations
4. Genetic counseling
5. Getting legal advice
6. Choosing an egg donor
7. Choosing a surrogate mother
8. Medical process 
9. Pregnancy and Birth

Finding the right fertility center and infertility institute

The first step in surrogacy is choosing a facilitated fertility clinic or a good infertility institute. It is worth mentioning that the fertility clinic only performs the in vitro fertilization of sperm and egg. Still, the infertility institute also bears other responsibilities, such as catching up on surrogacy paperwork. 

Plan the Trip to Iran

When planning the trip, patients should consider factors such as travel arrangements, accommodation, visa requirements for surrogacy-related travel to Iran, and post-operative care. They can discuss these aspects with the clinic or medical tourism agency they work with to ensure a smooth and well-organized trip.

Medical examinations

In the next step, the intended parents and the surrogate mother should take medical and physical tests, most of which are performed by specialists at the clinic or institute.

Genetic counseling

Genetic counseling is one of the most important stages of surrogacy because, in the counseling sessions, both parties' inherited diseases and disorders are identified.

Getting legal advice

Getting legal advice and being aware of the regulations and conventions of surrogacy puts an end to most concerns about legal issues of this method.

Choosing an egg donor

If the couple needs a donated egg for surrogacy, they can either receive it from the egg bank of the infertility institute or ask for an egg donor. We should mention that the egg donor must undergo clinical screening before donating the egg. 

Choosing a surrogate mother

At this stage, the couple can find the surrogate mother on their own or choose one of the surrogates suggested by the infertility institute. In any case, the gestational surrogate should take medical and psychiatric tests and provide a complete medical history to the doctor.

Medical process 

Before starting the surrogacy process, one of the assisted reproduction methods, such as IVF or IUI, should be chosen for fertilizing the egg. When doctors fertilize the egg, it can be transferred to the surrogate's womb.

Pregnancy and Birth

About 15 days after transferring the embryo, the surrogate should take a pregnancy test to confirm the pregnancy. If the surrogate gets pregnant, she will be fully supported by the team of the infertility institution and, of course, the biological parents. Finally, after the birth, the baby is handed over to the intended parent as agreed upon.

Surrogacy Cost in Iran

The cost of surrogacy in Iran can range from $17,000 to $29,000, depending on the agency and services chosen. In comparing this to other countries, the cost of surrogacy can be significantly higher in the United States, ranging from $100,000 to $150,000, and from $30,000 to $50,000 in India.

So, what does the surrogacy cost in Iran include? The affordability of surrogacy in Iran stems from the various stages involved in the process, which culminates in having a baby. This procedure is carried out using In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), requiring healthy eggs and sperm, which are retrieved from the intended parents. After fertilization under expert supervision, the embryo is implanted into the surrogate’s uterus, allowing the intended parents to receive a genetically related child, thereby increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Additionally, contracts in surrogacy are an essential component of the process. The cost covers the creation of a legal contract by an experienced lawyer, which details the rights of all parties involved, including the surrogate mother’s rights before and after childbirth. This legal framework ensures a smooth process, aiding intended parents achieve their dream of parenthood.

If you are considering surrogacy in Iran and have questions, you can contact us for further information. We help you quickly and easily find the right specialist for your needs! We offer the best clinics and doctors in the field of IVF surrogacy. To book an appointment with a doctor, begin here.

Surrogacy Laws in Iran

Surrogacy in Iran is legal both commercially and altruistically. This has led many infertile couples from the Middle East and even European countries to choose Iran for surrogacy due to its legal ease. You must stay about 15 days to 1 month in Iran if you don't want to stay with the surrogate during her pregnancy. It also should be noted that Iranian law doesn't permit the practice of surrogacy in Iran for single people, lesbians, or gays.

How Long Does the Surrogacy Process Take in Iran?

Surrogacy is a rather long and complex procedure, so it is essential to be patient and realistic when choosing this method of infertility treatment. The surrogacy process may take almost 10 to 12 months, from the day you complete the initial application form to find a surrogate mother to the day you hold your baby.

Application form for surrogacy in Iran

Types of Surrogacy

Surrogacy is one of the methods of assisted reproduction that is performed using the uterus of a gestational surrogate. There are two types of surrogacy, Traditional and Gestational, which are introduced as follows:

• Gestational Surrogacy

Gestational surrogacy, or Full Surrogacy, uses in vitro fertilization (IVF). In this method, eggs and sperm are taken from an infertile couple and transferred into the surrogate mother's uterus after being fertilized in the laboratory. Therefore, the fetus is biologically related to the intended parents, and the surrogate mother is considered the third parent.

• Traditional Surrogacy

In contrast, traditional surrogacy is a procedure through which a surrogate uses her eggs to conceive sperm from an intended or commissioning father. As a result, the baby is biologically related to the surrogate mother and intended father.

Why Is Surrogacy Needed?

The first baby conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) was born at Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute in 1990. After the invention of the IVF method, physicians faced a new problem. In some cases, although infertile couples produced good germ cells and healthy embryos were grown in the laboratory, the embryos failed to implant or were aborted. The issue of IVF surrogacy was raised here. IVF surrogacy transfers the resulting embryo into the surrogate mother's uterus, which is in normal and good health condition, instead of using the intended mother's uterus. The third party or surrogate mother is also called the mediating mother. Using a surrogate mother's uterus can solve some of the problems of IVF failure.

In normal conditions, a sperm cell meets an egg cell in the fallopian tube. At this time, fertilization occurs, and the newly fertilized cell, called a zygote, arrives in the uterus after three days and implants into the uterine lining. At this stage, the pregnancy begins. On the other hand, in the IVF procedure, fertilization is performed under a microscope through which sperm is inoculated into the egg. Once the zygote cell is formed in the laboratory and begins to divide, which will be in stage 7 or 10, it will be transferred into the uterus. It should be noted that a successful IVF process depends on several factors, which include:

• Normal male gametes;
• Normal female gametes;
• A healthy uterus.

If it is impossible to transfer the embryo to the intended mother's uterus, a surrogate mother's uterus can be used for any reason. Therefore, the IVF procedure is performed using a surrogate's uterus. In this method, the egg taken from the intended mother is joined with the sperm taken from the intended father in a laboratory environment. Instead of using the intended mother's uterus, the doctor transfers the resulting zygote to the surrogate's uterus, where fetal development occurs until birth.

Read more: IVF Treatment, Process, and Conditions

Who Is a Good Candidate for IVF Surrogacy?

It is important to note that since IVF failure has many causes, couples who had an unsuccessful first and second IVF cycle are not necessarily suitable candidates for IVF surrogacy. On the other hand, intrauterine problems are not always the reason for going through surrogacy. The doctor may prescribe this method to some women with prolonged exposure to certain diseases. In such cases, a woman is not allowed to get pregnant due to the use of certain medications that are contraindicated in pregnancy. Going through nine months of pregnancy can be dangerous; however, she can use her germ to develop healthy egg cells.

Surrogacy is a good option for women with the following health problems:

• Having uterine problems;
• Having no history of hysterectomy;
• Having a history of rough curettage;
• Women with heart diseases;
• Women with kidney diseases;
• Women with rheumatic diseases;
• Women with endometriosis
• Women with rare diseases.

Surrogate Mother Health Requirements

• Being under the age of 35;
• Being married;
• Not being breastfeeding;
• Being in suitable physical, mental, and emotional conditions;
• Not taking specific medications;
• Not having diseases in which pregnancy is dangerous for both mother and fetus;
• Having at least one experience of successfully terminating a pregnancy;
• Having no history of miscarriage, preterm delivery, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and severe pregnancy complications;
• Not being infected with diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis, syphilis, etc. (both the surrogate mother and her husband);
• Not being addicted (both the surrogate mother and her husband);
• Provide an ultrasound scan for a healthy ovarian approved by the treating physician.

Does the Surrogate Mother Share DNA?

In gestational surrogacy, a baby's DNA comes from its biological parents—half from the mother and half from the father. Therefore, the placenta is the only blood communication between the surrogate mother and fetus. The surrogate mother only carries the baby until birth. There will be an emotional connection between the surrogate mother and the fetus, but there will not be any biological relations.

Surrogacy Benefits

• Surrogacy helps childless couples reach their long-standing dream of having a baby, which leads to the family's survival. This will pave the way for reducing the divorce rates and solving the problems of infertile couples in this regard;
• The baby produced through this method has all the genetic characteristics of its parents. Therefore, surrogacy is possibly the best-known alternative family-building method to adoption;
• This method helps women who do not have ovulation problems and have other fertility problems to get pregnant;
• From a jurisprudential point of view, a child raised through surrogacy is considered legitimate.

What are the Risks of Surrogacy?

• Society has not yet accepted this method, and many people are unaware of it. As a result, there is not a proper social view toward the person who carries a baby for an infertile couple;
• The surrogate mother and her family, as well as the intended parents, may go through many psychological problems;
• The possibility of legal, financial, and medical abuse in this method has not been ruled out, which is claimed by the expansion of the brokerage market in this area.

Surrogacy Requirements

• surrogacy requires a letter of recommendation from a gynecologist in which the need to use surrogacy is stated;
• Parents should not have diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis, syphilis, etc.;
• Parents should not be addicted;
• An ultrasound scan of ovarian volume and reserve is needed, which should be approved by the treating physician.

Surrogacy Success Rate

Before the IVF procedure and embryo transfer, multiple medical evaluations are performed on the gestational surrogate to ensure that her body is ready to receive the embryo. So, when the doctors confirm pregnancy, the chance of having a healthy baby is more than 95%. However, some factors affect the success rate of surrogacy, such as:

• The quality of sperm and egg;
• The surrogate's ability to carry a baby for nine months;
• The age of the surrogate and the biological parents;
• The process of fertilizing the egg and
• If a donated egg is used, the age and health condition of the egg donor.

Read more: What to Do After Embryo Transfer to Increase Success?

Is Surrogacy Allowed in Islam?

As mentioned, there are two types of surrogacies: traditional and gestational. It is interesting to know that the clergies of Islam have different points of view regarding these two types of surrogacies. Some Islamic scholars think that traditional surrogacy is not allowed in Islam. They believe the child born is considered illegitimate due to using the surrogate mother's egg in this method. This group of scholars is concerned that if the surrogate mother marries after surrogacy, her children will be mahram to the child she delivers to the intended family.

On the other hand, most Islamic scholars have verified gestational surrogacy and just a few reject it. They approve of this surrogacy since the egg is obtained from the intended mother herself. So, the child belongs to their intended parents, according to Sharia.

Surrogacy in Shite and Sunni Islam

As you may know, although the practice of surrogacy is not allowed in most Islamic countries, it is permitted in Iran. Most Shiite scholars have issued fatwas that declare surrogacy is allowed in Islam and can be used as a fertility treatment for legal couples. On the other hand, most Sunni scholars agree that surrogacy is not permitted in Islam due to the involvement of a third party in pregnancy. So, if you are Muslim and wish to use surrogacy, we recommend you obtain the necessary information about the fatwā of your marji' taqlid before using surrogacy treatment.

FAQs about Surrogacy in Iran

1) What is the success rate of surrogacy in Iran?

The success rate of surrogacy depends heavily on the age of the egg provider. In general, the success rate of implantation in surrogacy is between 60% and 70%, and once the surrogate is pregnant, the success rate of a healthy pregnancy is above 90%.

2) What are the requirements of a surrogate mother in Iran?

An ideal surrogate should be between the ages of 21 and 35, have a good health condition, have a healthy reproductive system, be a non-smoker, not have STDs and genetic disorders, have a normal and stable BMI, have given birth to at least one healthy baby, and be mentally healthy.

3) Does a surrogate pass DNA to the baby?

In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother cannot transfer her DNA to the baby, and the baby will look like her biological parents. 

4) Who is the biological mother of a surrogate child?

The biological mother of a surrogate child is the one whose egg has been used during artificial insemination. 

5) Is surrogacy dangerous for the baby?

In surrogacy, there is a higher chance of preterm labor, stillbirth, and low birth weight. Therefore, the whole surrogacy process must be done under the supervision of a specialist.

6) Is it Haram to be a surrogate mother?

Opinions widely diverge on whether surrogacy is allowed in Islam or not. Most Shia scholars consider this fertility treatment Halal, while many Sunni scholars believe surrogacy is forbidden in Islam. Therefore, you should refer to your jurisprudence (Marja al-taqlid) before undergoing this treatment. 

7) Are surrogacy clinics in Iran well-equipped?

Yes. Surrogacy clinics in Iran are equipped with the latest technology, and their medical staff is experienced in providing exceptional care to patients worldwide. They offer various services, including egg donation and embryo transfer, to ensure patients have the best chance of success.

8) Does the Surrogate Mother Share DNA?

Yes, a surrogate mother shares DNA with the child she carries if she is a traditional surrogate. In this case, the surrogate uses her eggs, making her the biological mother of the child. The sperm from the intended father (or a sperm donor) fertilizes her egg, resulting in a genetically related child to the surrogate. However, in gestational surrogacy, the surrogate does not share DNA with the child. In this scenario, the egg and sperm come from the intended parents or donors, and the surrogate only carries the embryo. Therefore, she has no genetic relationship with the child.

9) What Happens to Leftover Embryos?

The IVF procedure involves retrieving multiple eggs and sperm from the couple to maximize the chances of success by producing the highest-quality fertilized eggs. The specialist will inseminate the gametes as needed, transferring only two or more fertilized eggs into the woman's uterus during implantation. This may leave several embryos that are no longer necessary. In such cases, the expert will recommend cryopreservation, which allows you to freeze the fertilized eggs for future use or subsequent pregnancies, potentially reducing the overall costs for additional treatments.

10) How Does Advanced Procedure Help?

Advanced treatments have shown high success rates for various infertility issues. Your specialist may suggest several cutting-edge procedures in conjunction with surrogacy, which can lead to improved outcomes. Traditional IVF can sometimes struggle to achieve optimal pregnancy results, so there are various modern techniques available, such as ICSI, IMSI, PICSI, FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer), PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis), and LAH (Laser Assisted Hatching). These innovations can significantly enhance the chances of successful conception during the IVF process.

11) Why is Surrogacy the Best Option?

Surrogacy is often considered the most effective method for achieving parenthood. While many ART procedures are available with favorable outcomes, they typically only result in the couple's pregnancy. In contrast, surrogacy not only helps couples welcome a healthy baby but also allows them to begin their parenting journey. The surrogate mother plays a crucial role by conceiving the intended parents' child providing them with genetically related offspring through a process that involves fertilizing the couple's eggs and sperm.

12) Can Donor Gametes Be Used in Surrogacy?

Yes, couples can utilize donor eggs or sperm in their surrogacy journey. Since surrogacy operates using ART (IVF) methods, it requires healthy gametes for fertilization. This process involves fertilizing quality eggs and sperm, which are then transferred to the surrogate's womb. Various health and infertility concerns may necessitate the use of donor gametes, mainly if one partner cannot produce viable eggs or sperm, which can impact pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, utilizing donor eggs or sperm may be the best option.

13) Is It Important to Check Surrogacy Laws in Every Country?

It is crucial to understand the surrogacy laws in each country. As surrogacy involves third-party reproduction, navigating the legal landscape can be complex and fraught with challenges. Many countries have imposed bans on the procedure, while others have stringent regulations that limit access. Failure to comply with these laws can result in severe consequences, including fines, imprisonment, or other legal repercussions. It's advisable to consult a surrogacy agency in the relevant country to ensure compliance, as they can provide detailed information about the legal framework governing the process.