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What is a gestational carrier (Surrogate)?
In surrogacy an embryo is placed into the uterus of a gestational carrier (also known as a surrogate) to carry the pregnancy. The gestational carrier usually isn’t genetically related to the child. Surrogacy can be a path to parenthood for male couples, transgender people, and patients who are unable to carry a pregnancy.
Reproductive Partners Medical Group works closely with a number of trusted surrogacy agencies and we’re here to help you through the surrogacy process from start to finish.
How surrogacy works
Partnering with a gestational carrier is a deeply personal process. Once you have chosen a surrogate, either independently or through a trusted agency, there will be a thorough medical and psychological screening process and legal contracts before your cycle is scheduled.
If you and your partner will be using your own egg and sperm we will go through the process of egg retrieval, sperm collection and medical screening to prepare an embryo for transfer into the gestational carrier’s uterus. In other instances where a donor egg, sperm, or both are being used, the same steps will occur to develop the embryos.
The embryos will grow in our lab for several days under careful observation, then the embryos with the greatest chances of a successful pregnancy will be selected for freezing. During this time you may also elect to do additional genetic testing to determine if any of the embryos have genetic abnormalities.
The next step will involve the gestational carrier undergoing bloodwork and ultrasound evaluation to ensure they are ready for embryo transfer. The carrier will then start hormonal therapy, including injectable medications, to prepare the uterine lining for implantation. Once the uterus is ready, the chosen embryo is placed into the gestational carrier's uterus with a small, flexible catheter that goes up the vaginal canal and through the cervix. While they may experience minor discomfort, this procedure usually doesn’t require any anesthesia. A pregnancy test will be done two weeks after your gestational carrier’s embryo transfer.
The gestational carrier will continue hormonal medications through their first trimester until the placenta has matured and supplements are no longer required. Through the first trimester, you, your gestational carrier, and your doctor will work together closely as a team to ensure the highest possible success for the pregnancy and health of both the baby and the carrier. After the first trimester, we will transfer your gestational carrier’s care to her chosen OB/GYN.
Partnering with a gestational carrier is a deeply personal process. Once you have chosen a surrogate, either independently or through a trusted agency, there will be a thorough medical and psychological screening process and legal contracts before your cycle is scheduled.
If you and your partner will be using your own egg and sperm we will go through the process of egg retrieval, sperm collection and medical screening to prepare an embryo for transfer into the gestational carrier’s uterus. In other instances where a donor egg, sperm, or both are being used, the same steps will occur to develop the embryos.
The embryos will grow in our lab for several days under careful observation, then the embryos with the greatest chances of a successful pregnancy will be selected for freezing. During this time you may also elect to do additional genetic testing to determine if any of the embryos have genetic abnormalities.
The next step will involve the gestational carrier undergoing bloodwork and ultrasound evaluation to ensure they are ready for embryo transfer. The carrier will then start hormonal therapy, including injectable medications, to prepare the uterine lining for implantation. Once the uterus is ready, the chosen embryo is placed into the gestational carrier's uterus with a small, flexible catheter that goes up the vaginal canal and through the cervix. While they may experience minor discomfort, this procedure usually doesn’t require any anesthesia. A pregnancy test will be done two weeks after your gestational carrier’s embryo transfer.
The gestational carrier will continue hormonal medications through their first trimester until the placenta has matured and supplements are no longer required. Through the first trimester, you, your gestational carrier, and your doctor will work together closely as a team to ensure the highest possible success for the pregnancy and health of both the baby and the carrier. After the first trimester, we will transfer your gestational carrier’s care to her chosen OB/GYN.
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Is using a gestational carrier right for me?
Your doctor will work closely with you to determine whether a gestational carrier is right for you. This can be an option for anyone who is unable to carry their own pregnancy. Reasons for this can include:
- Difficult past pregnancies or health issues that would make your pregnancy high risk if you carried it yourself
- Recurrent miscarriage or multiple unsuccessful IVF cycles
- You do not have a uterus or you cannot carry a pregnancy yourself
- You are a man seeking single parenthood or a gay male couple
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Paying for gestational carrier services
Though coverage for fertility care varies widely by insurance plan, the good news is that you have options. We are committed to guiding you through your insurance benefits, out-of-pocket expenses, and other financing options every step of the way. Please note that working with a surrogacy agency will come with separate costs.
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We work with friends and family, sometimes referred to as compassionate or altruistic carriers, as well as surrogacy agencies. We recommend talking to your team about what option is right for you.
Many intended parents use their own eggs and sperm to develop the embryo that their surrogate will carry. In this case, your child will be genetically related to you. In other cases, patients use donor eggs and/or donor sperm in addition to working with a surrogate. Whatever option you choose, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Your gestational carrier will continue to take hormonal supplements, including injections, and we will help monitor the pregnancy for the first trimester (12 weeks) of the pregnancy. After that time, Reproductive Partners Medical Group will transfer your gestational carrier’s care and pregnancy monitoring to her chosen OB/GYN and it will be treated like a standard pregnancy.
We work with friends and family, sometimes referred to as compassionate or altruistic carriers, as well as surrogacy agencies. We recommend talking to your team about what option is right for you.
Many intended parents use their own eggs and sperm to develop the embryo that their surrogate will carry. In this case, your child will be genetically related to you. In other cases, patients use donor eggs and/or donor sperm in addition to working with a surrogate. Whatever option you choose, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Your gestational carrier will continue to take hormonal supplements, including injections, and we will help monitor the pregnancy for the first trimester (12 weeks) of the pregnancy. After that time, Reproductive Partners Medical Group will transfer your gestational carrier’s care and pregnancy monitoring to her chosen OB/GYN and it will be treated like a standard pregnancy.