Everything you need to know about surrogacy basics
Our Tennessee fertility center helps patients learn more about surrogacy basics so that they can determine whether this fertility option is right for them. Using a gestational surrogate helps women who are unable to carry a pregnancy, single men and same-sex male couples.
This process involves the fertility doctor transferring an embryo into the gestational surrogate’s uterus during a short procedure. The embryo is the result of an embryologist fertilizing an egg from a hopeful mother or an egg donor with sperm from a hopeful father or a sperm donor.
Learn more about surrogacy basics
There’s a lot to think about when exploring surrogacy. The following considerations can help women and men decide whether utilizing a gestational surrogate is right for them.
Candidates for surrogacy. Women with uterine issues, preexisting health conditions or challenges with previous pregnancies might require a surrogate. In addition, women with no uterus, same-sex male couples and single men need a gestational surrogate.
High-quality surrogates. We connect patients with reputable surrogacy agencies who carefully screen surrogates. These agencies have numerous requirements to help confirm a woman is a good candidate. They also have surrogates undergo a series of comprehensive physical and physiological evaluations to determine their overall health.
Cost of surrogacy. Learning about surrogacy basics includes understanding the general costs of this fertility option. Typically, the costs of conceiving with a surrogate include compensation for the surrogate, surrogacy agency management fees, legal fees and medical fees. Patients will also cover the surrogate’s prenatal and delivery care, in addition to any other costs related to the surrogate’s care. The surrogacy agency helps patients determine what their specific costs will be and whether there are ways to receive financial aid.
The caring team at our Tennessee fertility center helps patients navigate this exciting decision. We also provide comprehensive fertility care during the IVF portion of this journey.
The surrogacy process step by step
After hopeful parents work with a surrogacy agency to select their ideal surrogate, we walk them through the various steps of IVF with a gestational surrogate. Ideally, these steps result in the surrogate taking a positive pregnancy test.
Ovulation induction. An IVF cycle begins with the female patient or egg donor taking ovulation induction medications that stimulate the maturation of numerous eggs. The woman self-administers these medications in the abdomen.
Monitoring. During the time the woman is taking ovulation medications, she regularly receives monitoring at our clinic. This monitoring allows the doctor to track the growth of the eggs and adjust the medications if needed.
Egg retrieval. After enough eggs grow, the woman takes a shot that signals the eggs to undergo final maturation. The doctor then retrieves the eggs during a short procedure.
Fertilization. Next, an embryologist fertilizes the eggs with sperm from the woman’s partner or a sperm donor, or from the single man or a partner in a gay couple utilizing IVF with surrogacy.
Embryo transfer. The doctor supports the patients in deciding which embryo to transfer into the surrogate’s uterus. Before the embryo transfer, the surrogate takes medication to prepare the lining of the uterus.
Pregnancy test. About two weeks after the embryo transfer the surrogate takes a pregnancy test at our clinic.
Our Tennessee fertility center is here for women and men considering building their family through surrogacy. Contact us for more information about surrogacy basics.
