Gestational Surrogacy

Gestational Surrogacy

The term “gestational surrogacy” refers to a treatment process, in which another woman (“gestational surrogate”) undergoes the embryo transfer process, and then carries the pregnancy to term. The intended parents are involved with the pregnancy, are typically present at the birth, and take over parenting responsibilities immediately thereafter.

From a medical perspective, gestational surrogacy is identical to egg donation. The only notable difference is that the gestational surrogate becomes the “recipient”. Gestational surrogacy may be achieved with the intended mother’s eggs, or with an egg donor. Analogously, the sperm can come from the intended father or from a sperm donor. Other in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures (such as ICSI or PGT-A/M ) can be combined with gestational surrogacy.

How is Gestational Surrogacy Performed?

1. An appropriate surrogate is chosen and thoroughly screened for infectious diseases.
2. At least one session with a psychologist is required.
3. Consents are signed by all parties. This is a most important step in surrogacy cases. All potential issues need to be carefully clarified, put in writing, signed, and understood by all parties prior to initiation of the treatment.
4. The patient is stimulated with medications to develop multiple egg development.
5. The surrogate is placed on medications that suppress her own menstrual cycle and stimulate development of a receptive uterine lining.
6. When the patient’s follicles are mature, an egg retrieval procedure is performed to remove the eggs from her ovaries. The eggs are then fertilized in the laboratory with her partner’s sperm.
7. The embryos develop in the laboratory for 5-6 days. Then, an embryo transfer procedure is done which places the embryos in the surrogate’s uterus where they will hopefully implant and develop to result in a live birth. Most of the time, genetic testing is performed on all embryos that make it in culture to day 5/6. A biopsy (removing a clump of cells) is performed  on all viable embryos and the embryos are then frozen. Once the testing of the cells is complete, genetic testing results and genders of the embryos will be sent in approximately one week.
8. Normal embryos will be transferred to the Surrogate the following month.

CCREI has years of experience to help patients become parents through gestational surrogacy. We will help you evaluate the benefits of gestational surrogacy and provide you with information about cost, legal issues, and treatment protocols.