Surrogacy in India

Yesterday, (April 7^th) we went to the Rotunda clinic in the morning. We met Dr. Gautum for the first time and everything went smoothly. (It almost didn’t though, I asked when were to get our HIV tests and Dr. Gautum was very surprised we hadn’t had our tests yet...with retrieval looking like Friday, and it takes 3 days to get the results, we were cutting it close). It is mandatory by Indian law to get an HIV test before the embryos can be transferred to the surrogate.

After that, we went to the Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital http://www.adityajyoteyehospital.org/ in Wadala and both Lisa and I had Lasik done on our eyes. We had been to the hospital twice before to have all the pre-lasik tests done. The cost was about $900.00 for each of us, compared with $4-$5K in the US. Aditya Jyot is definitely more of local eye hospital, not really near the hotels. We didn’t notice any foreigners the three times we were there, but I think the service was excellent. Doctor Priya was very professional and the staff very nice. The Lasik procedure itself was a little nerve-wracking. It’s pretty freaky having you eye held open by a clamp and being prodded by suction machines and lasers and saline being dripped on them constantly. It took about 10-15 minutes per eye and I was pretty relieved when it was over. It felt like there was a spec of sand in your eyes for a while, but we both woke up with very little discomfort and the ability to see the clock for the first time in about 20 years. We’re both so glad we had it done.

Today, we went back to the eye clinic for a quick check up and everything went great. My vision is pretty good now and Dr. Priya said we will see improvement over the next 7 – 10 days. After, we did a little shopping in section called Vile Parle. We found a great taxi driver named Ajit who also turned out to be a great tour guide. He’s lived here all his life and knows this crazy city like the back of his hand; and his English is excellent and easily understandable. He’s getting married at the end of the month. It’s an arranged marriage and he’s only met the girl once in the last year, but they talk on the phone every other day. He’s been telling us all about the upcoming wedding. Over 400 people are attending and it lasts 3 days. Ajit lives with his Mom and Dad, Sister, Brother, and their spouses and two nieces in a two room house. He said he lives in a slum area near the airport, but it is a nicer slum. Wow, that’s hard to fathom for most Americans, but it’s life in Mumbai. In fact, I read that 40% of the Mumbai police officers live in slums.

I know we’re getting a little more used to Mumbai. I find myself not having to pick up my jaw off the ground as much as the first few days. I know we’ve been writing about the culture shock a lot , but there are also a lot of good things here. The food has been fabulous, the people are extremely nice and some great bargains to be had.. In fact, Lisa and I scheduled 80 minute Swedish massages at a very nice local Spa here in Andheri tomorrow for about $30.00 each. Can’t beat the price!