On December 1, actor Aamir Khan and his filmmaker-wife, Kiran Rao welcomed their first-born son-but with a classy difference. The couple, in an openness that is rare in the Indian society, announced that their son was born through surrogacy using the IVF (in-vitro fertilization) technique.
Their letter, which was released to the media on Monday, thanked miracles of science and read, "This baby is especially dear to us because he was born to us after a long wait and some difficulty." The letter added that due to medical complications, "we were advised to have a baby through IVF-surrogacy, and we feel very grateful to the Almighty that all has gone well".
The couple didn't mention whether their son was born in Mumbai or outside. They underwent treatment with Dr Firuza Parikh, who heads Jaslok Hospital's IVF department. On Monday, Dr Parikh told media, "This is an extremely happy moment for us. Kiran has gone through a lot and we are all excited for her. They underwent IVF-surrogacy treatment and they are the biological and genetic parents of the baby." Family sources suggested that Kiran Rao (38), who suffered a miscarriage, last year, had uterine medical problems that necessitated a surrogacy.
The couple married in December 2005. Aamir (46) has two other children from his first wife, Reena Dutta.
