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Abstract
<p class="first" id="d7526949e83">Current surrogacy research primarily focuses on
commercial surrogacy with a particular
emphasis on experiences of surrogate mothers, whereas intended parents' voices are
dominated by western perspectives. Indigenous voices are only a whisper. This study
presents another side of the surrogacy story by including the voices of intended parents
residing in India, elicited through eight in-depth interviews. We assert there is
need to understand Indian intended parents' socio-spatial experiences in the presence
of a changing surrogacy law in India and the socio-cultural importance of childbearing
and parenthood to move towards relational reproductive justice. By recognising the
relational nature of surrogacy reproduction and drawing on the concepts of ethics
of care in light of power and stigma discussions, this paper demonstrates how stigma
is experienced by intended parents, its effect on their reproductive journey and wellbeing,
as well as how stigma hinders achieving the vision of relational reproductive justice.
We suggest that, in order to make surrogacy a positive experience for the people involved
in surrogacy, there is a need to address stigma and view surrogacy as a relationship.
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