IVF & Gestational Surrogacy: What You Need to Know to Be a Surrogate

Gestational surrogacy is a special and generous process that helps families who can’t have children on their own experience of parenthood. A key part of surrogacy is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), which allows an individual to become a surrogate mother and carry a baby that is not genetically related to her. IVF makes it possible for the intended parents’ or a donor’s egg and sperm to create an embryo for the surrogate to carry. If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, understanding the process of IVF and how it works with surrogacy is vital for your journey. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for IVF and gestational surrogacy.

What is IVF and How Does it Work in Gestational Surrogacy?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a form of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) that has revolutionized fertility treatments, making parenthood possible for individuals and couples facing infertility. IVF is especially critical in gestational surrogacy, where the surrogate carries an embryo that is not genetically related to her but is created using the intended parents’ or a donor’s eggs and sperm.

Unlike traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate’s own egg is fertilized by the intended father’s sperm, gestational surrogacy uses IVF to create embryos with the intended parents’ or a donor’s genetic material. Being a surrogate mother’s job is to carry the baby until birth, but she is not genetically related to the child.

Step-by-Step Process of IVF for Surrogacy

Surrogate Medical Screening and Matching

To become a surrogate mother, potential surrogates undergo a thorough medical screening to ensure they are healthy enough to carry a pregnancy. This procedure takes place before starting the IVF process. This screening includes evaluating their medical history, previous pregnancies, and overall health. Once approved, surrogates are matched with intended parents based on compatibility and preferences, ensuring both parties feel comfortable moving forward.

IVF Medications and Treatment Plan

Once matched, the next step is to begin IVF treatment. Being a surrogate mother, you need to start taking medications, primarily hormones like estrogen and progesterone, to prepare their body for the embryo transfer. These medications help ensure that the surrogate’s uterus is ready to accept the embryo.

 IVF Treatment Calendar

Surrogates will receive a detailed IVF calendar that outlines medication schedules, important monitoring appointments, and the embryo transfer date. It’s essential to follow this calendar precisely, as missing a dose or appointment can affect the chances of success.

Cycle Monitoring and Regular Check-ups

Throughout the IVF process, surrogates undergo cycle monitoring, which includes frequent visits to the clinic for blood tests to check hormone levels and required ultrasounds. This helps the fertility specialists track the progress of the cycle and make adjustments if necessary. Thus, a woman will face the least health challenges to become a surrogate mother. 

Embryo Transfer

The embryo transfer is a key milestone in gestational surrogacy. This procedure involves placing one or more embryos (created through IVF) into the surrogate’s uterus, where they hope to implant and develop into a pregnancy. The procedure is typically painless and takes about 15 minutes, although the surrogate may need to rest afterward to support implantation.

Confirming Pregnancy

After the embryo transfer, the surrogate will wait approximately two weeks before taking a blood test to confirm pregnancy. Early testing before the two-week wait can result in false negatives due to low hCG levels, so patience is key.

IVF Medications and Hormonal Support

As part of the IVF process, being a surrogate mother you will take a variety of fertility medications. These include progesterone and estrogen, to help prepare the uterine lining for embryo implantation and support early pregnancy. These medications are usually administered through injections and oral tablets, and surrogates must strictly follow their prescribed regimen to ensure the best chances for a successful pregnancy. 

Preparing for the Embryo Transfer

Preparation for the embryo transfer involves several important steps to maximize the chances of success. Surrogates are advised to:

• Take medications consistently and communicate with their doctors if there are any questions or concerns.
• Avoid extreme temperatures on the abdomen and uterus, as this can impact the transfer’s success.
• Eat a healthy diet to reduce inflammation and improve overall reproductive health.
• Consider holistic therapies like acupuncture and yoga to support fertility and pregnancy.

After the transfer, surrogates are typically advised to rest for a period of 24-72 hours to allow the embryo the best chance to implant in the uterus. Rest and relaxation are crucial during this time.

IVF Success Rates in Surrogacy

The success of IVF in surrogacy largely depends on the quality of the embryos, the health and age of the surrogate, and the fertility clinic’s expertise. National data shows that the average success rate for gestational surrogacy in the U.S. is 58.9% per embryo transfer. However, this can vary based on:

• The age of the intended mother: Younger women tend to have higher success rates with their own eggs.
• Egg donor age: Success rates are generally higher when using younger egg donors, particularly those under 30.
• Surrogate’s age and health: It says, there are higher chances of success rates if surrogates come under 35 years. As they tend to be healthier reproductively.

What Happens If the First IVF Attempt Doesn’t Work?

While IVF has a good success rate, there is always the possibility that the embryo transfer does not result in pregnancy. If this happens, the IVF clinic may try again using any remaining embryos. The success rate for a second attempt with the same surrogate is typically higher, as the surrogate’s body is already prepared and familiar with the Then, the fertility specialists will reevaluate the situation and suggest the next steps to become a surrogate mother.

How to Maximize IVF Success as a Surrogate

To order to increase the chances of a successful IVF pregnancy, surrogates and intended parents, ensure to follow these steps:

• Choose a healthy and experienced surrogate: Ideally, surrogates should be under 35 years old, in good health, and have previously had successful pregnancies.
• Ensure proper embryo quality: Use high-quality eggs (from the intended parent or donor) and undergo genetic screening to minimize the risk of miscarriage.
• Follow the IVF protocol: Surrogates must adhere to the IVF treatment plan, including medications and monitoring appointments, to give the embryos the best chance for successful implantation.

Frequently Asked Questions:-

Q: What is IVF in gestational surrogacy?

Ans: Basically, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment. That creates embryos using the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries the embryo but is not genetically related to the child.

Q: What steps are involved in IVF for surrogacy?

Ans: Being a surrogate mother you need to undergo medical screening, take fertility medications to prepare the uterus, have cycle monitoring, and undergo an embryo transfer procedure to implant the embryo.

Q: How long does it take to confirm a pregnancy after embryo transfer?

Ans: It usually takes about two weeks after the embryo transfer for a surrogate to have a blood test to check if she’s pregnant.

Q: What happens if the first IVF attempt doesn’t work?

Ans: If the first attempt doesn’t result in pregnancy, the clinic may try again with any remaining embryos. Success rates are generally higher with a second attempt.

Q: How can surrogates maximize IVF success?

Ans: Surrogates can maximize IVF success by following the treatment plan, maintaining good health, and ensuring high-quality embryos are used for the transfer.

Conclusion

That’s how we came to know that being a gestational or embryonic surrogate can be rewarding. At the same, it is a life-changing experience as well. Surrogates can help to create families through IVF and provide the gift of life for those who would not otherwise have been able to conceive.

The process to become a surrogate mother is not without its challenges, but it can be a rewarding experience. Understanding the IVF process and staying informed will help you to ensure your surrogacy experience is successful and fulfilling. Call now (212) 661-7673