Bollywood actor-model Sambhavna Seth, after more than seven painful yet failed IVF attempts, has finally announced her pregnancy via surrogacy. On Thursday, she took to social media and shared a heartfelt Instagram post revealing the news.
Sharing the moment, she wrote: "We are PREGNANT. Our most beautiful story is now in production, through love, hope, and SURROGACY. Countdown Begins." Actor Gauahar Khan also reacted, saying, "This is the happiest news. God bless you with safety and happiness at every step of this journey. Ameen."
Earlier, Sambhavna had suffered a miscarriage last year.
Is surrogacy legal in India? Here's what the law says
Surrogacy is not entirely banned in India, but it is strictly regulated under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act.
The law lays down strict criteria for both the intended parents and the surrogate, including health conditions, eligibility norms, and procedural safeguards.
The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, which came into effect in 2022, was introduced to prevent exploitation and ensure ethical practices.
Commercial surrogacy is banned, while altruistic surrogacy is legally permitted for eligible Indian couples through a proper legal process. In altruistic surrogacy, no financial compensation is given to the surrogate beyond medical expenses and insurance coverage.
What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is a method of assisted reproduction in which a woman (the surrogate) agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another couple, known as the intended parents. In most modern cases, the surrogate has no genetic link to the baby.
It is typically chosen by couples or individuals who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy due to medical or personal reasons.
Sambhavna's IVF journey
Before announcing her pregnancy, Sambhavna and her husband Avinash had planned a pregnancy photoshoot, but a miscarriage dashed their hopes. She opened up about her journey, saying she had undergone multiple IVF cycles over the years.
She shared that she had even frozen her eggs before marriage, spending around ₹1.5 lakh, showing how prepared she was. However, she admitted that the IVF process was extremely painful, involving multiple injections, hormonal changes, weight gain, and emotional stress.
"The process was very painful... your body goes through trauma, and even your mental state gets disturbed. But slowly, your body comes back," she said.
Despite the struggles, she said her husband never pressured her, which helped her stay hopeful through setbacks.
Work Front
Sambhavna was last seen in the 2025 film Mandala Murders, headlined by Vaani Kapoor.
