What is a Surrogate or Gestational Carrier?

A gestational surrogate or (GC) gestational carrier is a woman who chooses and legally arranges to carry and deliver a baby for intended parents (or a parent).

Does the surrogate(carrier) use her own eggs?

 

In surrogacy, the doctor does not use an embryo created from the carrier’s own egg.  Because either the intended parent or an anonymous egg donor provides the eggs to make the embryo, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is required with the use of a gestational carrier.

When Should a Gestational Surrogate be Used?

A person or couple may use a surrogate when the intended mother:

  • does not have a uterus.
  • has a problem with her uterus that prevents her from carrying a pregnancy.
  • has a medical condition that prevents her from safely experiencing pregnancy.
  • experienced recurrent pregnancy loss.
  • experienced multiple unexplained  failures with IVF.

Furthermore, a couple may not include a female partner.  Single male intended parents or a gay couple may choose to use a surrogate.

What do I need to do in order to use a gestational surrogate?

Once you select your agency and surrogate, our special services department will guide you through surrogacy.  Our donor coordinators work closely with your selected agency and your surrogate throughout the process.

At the Reproductive Medicine Group, we work closely with surrogacy agencies and specialized Reproductive Law attorneys.  Both the agency and the attorney will help you to obtain a surrogate.  They will create a legal document that you will need in order to proceed with treatment at our fertility clinic.