Gestational Surrogacy

A gestational surrogate provides only her uterus and has no genetic relationship to the baby. This is the most common type of surrogacy performed in our program. Women who have had a hysterectomy, but still have their ovaries, will need a gestational surrogate if they wish to have a biologic child of their own. Some women are born without a uterus or may have a uterus that is not shaped normally. These women also may benefit from the use of a gestational surrogate. Lastly, some women may have a severe medical condition that would make carrying a pregnancy too dangerous for them. A gestational surrogate would be indicated for these women also.

In a gestational surrogacy cycle the biologic mother takes fertility drugs to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple eggs. The eggs are harvested from her ovaries and fertilized in vitro (IVF) with her husband’s sperm. The resulting embryos are transferred into the uterus of the gestational surrogate. The gestational surrogate takes hormones to synchronize her cycle to that of the biologic mother. If a pregnancy results, the gestational surrogate is kept on these hormones until the end of the 1st trimester. Pregnancy rates with gestational surrogacy are determined primarily by the age of the biologic mother. The younger the mother, the better the chance of the surrogate conceiving.

Surrogacy is a complicated matter, both medically and legally. States differ in their laws regarding surrogacy. It is mandatory that both the intended parents and the surrogate obtain independent legal counsel regarding this procedure. It is recommended that you seek advice from a lawyer who has experience in the legal aspects of surrogacy. A formal legal contract between the surrogate and the intended parents must be finalized before a surrogacy cycle can commence.