Couples or singles trying to achieve pregnancy may opt to utilize a “surrogate mother” for a variety of reasons. A surrogate is a woman that carries the baby to term for the parent(s)-to-be. Whatever the reason for choosing this route to build your family, we understand that this is a big decision for all involved and can also be a very emotional one. We have helped many patients achieve parenthood with the use of surrogates and have the experience to gently and successfully guide parent(s)-to-be through the entire process.
Reasons For Choosing a Surrogate/Gestational Carrier
There are a variety of reasons a surrogate/gestational carrier may be needed to achieve parenthood. The patient and their fertility doctor can discuss surrogacy options and decide together if surrogacy is the best way to achieve parenthood.
- Compromised Uterus- The woman has issues with her uterus and is unable to carry a pregnancy to term
- Hysterectomy- The woman has had her uterus removed and therefore, unable to carry a pregnancy
- Health Conditions- The woman has other health issues that make carrying a pregnancy too risky such as diabetes, heart conditions or other medical disorders
- History of Miscarriages or Failed IVF Attempts- If a woman has a history of multiple miscarriages or has tried IVF several times without success and a uterine factor is the likely cause
- Gay Men or Couples- Gay men can achieve parenthood via a surrogate
- Personal or Other Reasons- Some women/couples opt to use a surrogate because they do not want to carry a pregnancy for their own personal reasons
Type of Surrogates
There are two types of surrogate- traditional surrogates and gestational carriers.
- Traditional Surrogacy
When a traditional surrogate is utilized, the surrogate woman’s eggs are used with donor sperm and she carries the baby to term for the parents-to-be. With this method, she can become pregnant, most commonly, via IUI or sometimes IVF depending on the situation. - Gestational Carriers
A gestational carrier (GC) carries a baby conceived of the egg and sperm of two other individuals and has no genetic connection to the child. The fertilized egg, now called an embryo, is transferred to the GC’s uterus to carry the pregnancy to term.
Finding a Surrogate/Gestational Carrier
Once it’s decided between a patient and their doctor that surrogacy is the right option for them, the next step is to select the right surrogate.
- Known Surrogates
Some patients opt to use someone they know to carry the baby. Whether a sister, other family member or friend, there are medical, psychological and legal issues that need to be addressed before moving forward with this option.
- Surrogacy Agencies
We have relationships with several excellent surrogacy agencies that can help our patients find the best surrogate or gestational carrier for them. These agencies can help guide our patients through this journey with the selection of an appropriate surrogate and any medical, psychological and legal issues surrounding this type of relationship.
Whether you’re using an agency or personally know your surrogate or gestational carrier, we can help guide you through every step of this process. Please set up a consultation to discuss surrogacy or other questions you may have about achieving pregnancy.