Albert & Amin
On my first visit to India I asked Dr.
Samit why he did this and specifically, why he worked with gay people wanting
to be parents. His answer will forever ring in my heart. Because in-deed, No
one should dictate who can love and raise a child based on preconceived
prejudices. If there is true love and a heartfelt desire to create and raise
your own family, do so.
It is said that good
things come to those who wait. It could not be any truer in our case! After
contacting and exchanging emails with surrogacy agencies, we found our match
with Kiran Infertility Centre. In De-cember 2010 we signed our agreement and
began our journey preparing to be parents within a year. Nature had better
plans for us! After my first visit to Hyderabad India in March we thought that
within a year from then we'd be parents. Again, Nature had better plans for us.
2011 came and went and we started getting a bit discouraged. Was it us? Are we
too old? Were we not meant to be parents? Was it a sign that we should give up?
Through this process, Anjani and Dr. Samit were very supportive. Reading about
people who had started this journey with us and after us becoming parents was a
bit intimidat-ing, and they were able to explain to us in a way we could
understand that science, technology and na-ture must come together at the right
time to achieve success.
2012
began with our renewed determination to " help wake our baby from sleep in
another place and join us here on Earth". This time everything came
together at the right time and we received good news in June! We were pregnant!
We have felt the pain of losing babies during the first trimester and were on
pins and needles through the first 12 weeks again! Anjani and Dr. Samit kept us
updated without over promises yet still positive. The bi-weekly updates were
just enough information to keep us excited and still on an even keel. I had
asked the team at KIC to please give me notice so that I could be present for
my baby's birth. I had envisioned that day to be during an Indian Holiday and
had even asked about what festivities would be happening around the time of my
baby's expected delivery date.
Unfortunately,
there were none in that time period. Nature had her own plans! I received the
call on January 10, 2013 at about 11 am from Anjani. In his typical casual
voice he told me that our surrogate had elevated blood pressure and that meant
the time was close! I had about 2 hours to rush home and pack to make the next
flight to India! As a true father, I forgot to pack almost everything we had
been
preparing for this event.
I forgot baby bottles, baby formula, and all the things that dads are supposed
to be in charge of bringing for a birth!
Anjani
said that there would be baby stores close to the Service Apartment I would be
staying at where I could redeem myself. Sure enough, there were two shopping
centers close by with enough baby items that I was able to prepare for my
baby's birth. The Service Apartment is a blessing because Saly, with her years
of experience in baby care, was able to tell me exactly what I would be
needing, and in weeks to come, how to properly care for my newborn!
Magen Sophia was born on
January 14. If that day was not special enough, the country's sky was filled
with a myriad, if not more, of kites flown by children and children at heart!
You see, she was born on an Indian holi-day after all! Makar Sankranti. A day
that observes the winter harvest and the coming of Spring. Makar Sankranti
signifies that we should turn away from the darkness of delusion in which we
live, and begin to enjoy a new life with bright light within us to shine
brighter and brighter. We should gradually begin to grow in purity, wisdom and
knowledge even as the Sun does from the Day of Makar Sankranti.
If
this day could have been completely orchestrated by Kiran Infertility Clinic,
it still could not have been as perfect a day for my daughter's birth. A day
with so much color in the sky. Happy children on roof tops. And a reminder that
we must always move towards the Light and never to Dakness. The hospital staff
where my daughter was born was so helpful and understanding. I had initial
con-cerns over hospital settings I am familiar with and a hospital in India
which I had never been to. Quickly I learned that the hospital's concern over
my baby's health and well-being was a top priori-ty, as was the health and well
being of every baby born there. Were there any hiccups during my stay in
Hyderabad? Sure. No trip of any kind would be complete without some. But Anjani
and KIC made sure that I had everything I needed in paperwork as they were
hearing was needed from offic-es in charge of our departure visas.
Regulations and laws are constantly changing these days in India for
surrogacy. That means more paperwork. KIC keeps up with these demands even if
last minute! I can certainly understand a busy season demands much attention
and Anjani could be counted on being at the office until late hours. When I was
denied an exit Visa letter from FRRO until the date they had designated I
should receive it, they spoke to the officials concerned and made sure that I
had that letter with enough time to calm my nerves down and pack for our
journey home. I left India February 14th with a wonderful Valentine's Day Gift!
Con-cerns over surrogates and their health and well-being are real. We will
always be ap-preciative for what our surrogate did for us. I told her that her
gift to us would never be taken for granted. It may take time and perseverance,
but really, Great things come to those who wait!~Albert and Amin
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