A process in which a woman carries and delivers a child for a couple or individual. Surrogate mothers are impregnated through the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF). A legal contract is required for intended parents and their carriers before medical treatment begins.
The gestational carrier may be recommended for the following patients:
- Women without a functioning uterus
- Women who have acquired disorders that make their uterus unsuitable for pregnancy such as extensive fibroids, scarring of the uterine cavity, or adenomyosis (when the inner lining of the uterus grows into the wall of the uterus)
- Women who have a medical condition that puts them at significant medical risk if they become pregnant
- Women who have a history of recurrent pregnancy loss
- Gestational surrogacy is also an excellent option for male same-sex couples who want to have children.
The first step in learning more about gestational surrogacy is a consultation with a program counselor. At this appointment, you will learn about all that is involved, including education about the process of finding a gestational carrier, the types of screening required, treatment protocols, and program costs. Our program counselor will also discuss the social and psychological aspects of gestational surrogacy.
Following that meeting, the next step for potential parents is to see a physician for medical consultation. This meeting includes a comprehensive description of the surrogacy process, as well as a thorough evaluation and review of the intended parents’ medical history, a medical examination, information about what the treatments will entail, and a discussion of possible side effects and medical complications.
Choosing a gestational carrier should be managed with an agency. The agency’s role, typically, involves identifying a potential carrier and establishing legal agreements between the parties. Though they are paid for their services, most gestational surrogates have altruistic motivations and enjoy being pregnant.
The ideal surrogate falls within the guidelines of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). She should be a healthy woman between the ages of 21 and 42 (preferably younger than 35), with a history of a normal pregnancy and full-term delivery without complication. We also require gestational carriers to have a normal body mass index (BMI) and not to have had more than two cesarean section deliveries in the past.
A surrogate and intended parents can have as much or as little contact with each other as they feel comfortable with. We can meditate as much or as little contact as the two parties feel is necessary, and this contact often lasts well after the surrogacy is completed.
Once you identify a potential gestational carrier, we will provide the evaluation and medical treatment. Evaluation includes a thorough medical and psychological screening by our staff, and a consultation with our colleagues in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Depending on the individual’s or couple’s medical condition, eggs will either be donated by the intended mother or by someone else. Similarly, sperm may come from the intended father or from a donation. Fertilization of the eggs by the sperm will occur via IVF to produce embryos. The embryo is then transferred to the carrier, who will deliver the baby.
Total costs vary, depending on where the program is implemented. You will meet with a financial coordinator at the time of your initial visit for a complete review of the fee schedule.
Source: https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/gestational-surrogacy