Doctors push adoption cause  
Nov 10, 2003
Hope floats eternally for childless couples. While for most the dream of bearing a child materialises, for some unfortunate ones it proves elusive. Trips to in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinics often prove futile.
But given Indians’ strong instinct for reproduction, the desire persists and so do treatments. Given the commercial viability, infertility clinics are fast “being recognised as a grey zone with a lot of exploitation potential”. However, there is a growing feeling among IVF experts that after a certain level of treatment, adoption should be considered as a viable alternative.
“After a patient has undergone three or four cycles of IVF, doctors should encourage them to adopt,” says Dr Hrishikesh Pai, a gynaecologist and IVF expert. “Biological or adopted, a child is a child.” In India, most people try IVF in their late 30s, it has a relatively lower success rate of 40 to 45 per cent compared to the West where it’s between 80 and 85 per cent. Given the circumstances, adoption is highly recommended.
Agrees Dr Firoza Parekh, “Depending upon the chances of conception, I suggest adoption at the very onset. With adoption, there’s a 100 per cent chance of becoming a parent, whereas IVF might not ensure similar success rate though studies have shown that cumulative pregnancy rates increase up to six cycles.”
“A doctor needs to take a balanced approach, look at the possibilities and gradually introduce the subject of adoption. This counselling can also be done through psychologists,” says Pai. “There is no point in putting people through the pain over and over again. Besides, it’s quite expensive with each IVF cycle costing between Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000.
However, some feel that the choice should be left to patients. “IVF treatment and adoption don’t go hand in hand,” says Dr Indira Hinduja. “When people come to me, I tell them about adoption. But you can’t compel someone to adopt; procreation is everyone’s right. One should leave the decision to them.”
Hope floats eternally for childless couples. While for most the dream of bearing a child materialises, for some unfortunate ones it proves elusive. Trips to in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinics often prove futile.
But given Indians’ strong instinct for reproduction, the desire persists and so do treatments. Given the commercial viability, infertility clinics are fast “being recognised as a grey zone with a lot of exploitation potential”. However, there is a growing feeling among IVF experts that after a certain level of treatment, adoption should be considered as a viable alternative.
“After a patient has undergone three or four cycles of IVF, doctors should encourage them to adopt,” says Dr Hrishikesh Pai, a gynaecologist and IVF expert. “Biological or adopted, a child is a child.” In India, most people try IVF in their late 30s, it has a relatively lower success rate of 40 to 45 per cent compared to the West where it’s between 80 and 85 per cent. Given the circumstances, adoption is highly recommended.
Agrees Dr Firoza Parekh, “Depending upon the chances of conception, I suggest adoption at the very onset. With adoption, there’s a 100 per cent chance of becoming a parent, whereas IVF might not ensure similar success rate though studies have shown that cumulative pregnancy rates increase up to six cycles.”
“A doctor needs to take a balanced approach, look at the possibilities and gradually introduce the subject of adoption. This counselling can also be done through psychologists,” says Pai. “There is no point in putting people through the pain over and over again. Besides, it’s quite expensive with each IVF cycle costing between Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000.
However, some feel that the choice should be left to patients. “IVF treatment and adoption don’t go hand in hand,” says Dr Indira Hinduja. “When people come to me, I tell them about adoption. But you can’t compel someone to adopt; procreation is everyone’s right. One should leave the decision to them.”       

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