Gestational Surrogacy is accomplished through In Vitro Fertilization / Embryo Transfer (”IVF/ET”), a process whereby eggs are retrieved from the Intended Mother (or a donor) and fertilized with the sperm of the Intended Father. The resulting embryos are transferred into the uterus of the Surrogate. If the Intended Mother is unable to use her own eggs, donated eggs will be used.

The Surrogate will generally take birth control pills to align her cycle with that of the Intended Mother or Egg Donor. At the appropriate time, she will begin taking Lupron to suppress ovulation, estrogen to prepare her uterine lining for embryo implantation and pregnancy, and a few days prior to the embryo transfer she will begin taking progesterone to help nourish the baby and maintain the pregnancy during the first trimester. During this time, her hormone levels will be monitored by blood tests and the development of her uterine lining will be monitored by ultrasound. Three to five days following fertilization of the Intended Mother’s (or Donor’s) eggs, a specified number of embryos are placed into the Surrogate’s uterus. This is a painless procedure, which takes only a few minutes. After the embryo transfer, the Surrogate will remain at the clinic for an hour or two. When she returns home, she will generally have several days’ bed rest, and approximately two weeks later blood tests show if she is pregnant.

It is important for Surrogates to know that they will need to take injections. Lupron is given by subcutaneous injection with a very small needle. There are a variety of methods of administration of supplemental estrogen and progesterone, including oral, patches, suppositories and intramuscular injections. The means of administration will be determined by the clinic.

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