Welcoming a baby into the world can be a great source of joy. For parents who are unable to medically or biologically carry and deliver that baby, gestational surrogacy is an option worth considering. But what is gestational surrogacy, and how do you know when it’s the right choice?

Continue reading to learn more about gestational surrogacy, who are good candidates for this path to parenthood, and what intended parents can expect during the gestational surrogacy process.  

What Is Gestational Surrogacy?

Gestational surrogacy is when a person carries and delivers a baby for another couple or individual. This person, called a gestational surrogate or carrier, does not provide the egg used for fertilization, and they are not genetically related to the child.

Typically, gestational surrogates are impregnated through in vitro fertilization (IVF), a process where a doctor fertilizes an egg from an intended parent or egg donor with sperm from an intended parent or sperm donor. After fertilization, the embryo is transferred to the surrogate. 

 

When is Gestational Surrogacy a Good Option?

Gestational surrogacy is an excellent option for many parents. It’s often used when neither parent can carry a child to term.

Reasons someone may not be able to carry a baby to term include:

• A medical or psychological condition would put the baby or parent at risk
• A previous hysterectomy resulted in uterine malformation or a lack of a uterus
• The intended parents are infertile 
• There is a problem with the female uterus
• The parent(s) cannot biologically conceive 

Gestational surrogacy brings the joys of parenthood to LGBTQ+ parents, single parents, and couples who can’t physically carry a baby. It also provides the option for that baby to share the parents’ genetics, even though they aren’t carrying the baby to term. 

Traditional vs Gestational Surrogate

Two types of surrogacy exist: traditional and gestational. With traditional surrogacy, the carrier is genetically related to the baby. With gestational, the baby and carrier are not related, but the surrogate carries the baby to term.

For traditional surrogacy, the carrier’s eggs are fertilized either by one or both of the intended parents or by a sperm donor. Usually, this happens through a procedure called intrauterine insemination (IUI). With IUI, the sperm are placed directly into the surrogate’s uterus.

Since the surrogate is genetically related to the baby, this type of surrogacy may lead to legal complications in some states or in other countries.

Gestational surrogacy eliminates those legal complications because the baby isn’t genetically related to the surrogate. It also requires IVF, a procedure where an egg is fertilized in an IVF clinic and transferred to the surrogate.

While the procedure for each is different, the success rates are relatively similar, making either a viable option for parents-to-be. Thanks to the legal ease of gestational surrogacy and the ability for the baby to have DNA from both parents, it is a more common option. 

Gestational Surrogacy Process

Most major life milestones are easier to achieve with the help of an expert. When buying a home, for example, you often turn to a real estate agent instead of negotiating directly with the home’s seller. Similarly, a surrogacy agency makes the process of finding, screening, and facilitating a surrogate pregnancy much easier. 

 

Finding a Carrier

There are two essential parties for a gestational surrogacy: the parents-to-be and the surrogate. For a smooth embryo transfer and pregnancy, take the time to find a surrogate who can physically and mentally carry a child to term.

A surrogacy agency can present you with different surrogate candidates and provide guidance so you choose the right gestational surrogate for your family.

At Accel Conceptions, we ensure any candidates shown to couples meets some basic requirements:

• Have given birth at least once and have full custody of the child
• Had no complications during previous pregnancies
• No more than five births total and three births via c-section
• Do not possess a criminal record
• Live a healthy lifestyle free of alcohol, tobacco, or drug abuse
• Between 18-38 years old
• Have a stable support system
• Are a US citizen or permanent resident
• Have a BMI less than 32

 

Screening the Carrier

Once you choose a gestational surrogate, there are some additional medical and psychological screenings the surrogate must complete. The surrogacy agency and/or your IVF clinic should take care of all screenings, including:
 

• Psychological and emotional evaluation
• STD test
• Physical exam
• Bloodwork
• Additional screening by the IVF doctor

The IVF clinic can be one that the parents-to-be choose or can be facilitated by the surrogacy agency. Neither option impacts the screening process, and ultimately, the choice is up to the intended parents.  

 

Gestational Surrogacy Contract

Next, it’s time to sign a legal contract. This contract establishes the baby’s parentage and is signed by the parents-to-be, the surrogate, and the surrogate’s partner (when applicable).

The contract also lays out payment terms and who will make different medical decisions during the pregnancy. In many ways, this document is a robust resource for any complications or confusion that may arise during the pregnancy.

To ensure the contract is equitable for all involved, one lawyer will represent the parents-to-be and another attorney will negotiate on behalf of the surrogate. A surrogacy agency can help connect both parties to reproductive attorneys in order to make this part of the process smoother. 

 

Embryo Transfer and Pregnancy

After a gestational surrogate clears medical screenings and a contract has been signed, IVF and the embryo transfer can take place. The IVF clinic will handle the transfer, weekly blood work, and medications in the first four weeks of pregnancy.
Throughout the entire pregnancy, a surrogate will attend any medical appointments, follow doctors’ instructions regarding medications, and regularly communicate with the parents-to-be. In the meantime, the intended parents can decorate the nursery and prepare for their family’s new addition.
 

Cost of Gestational Surrogacy

Gestational surrogacy is an important partnership between surrogates, surrogacy agencies, and parents-to-be. Like any other healthy relationship, it should be rooted in trust and transparency, especially when it comes to costs. Any reputable agency will be upfront about costs and answer any questions.

A good starting estimate for gestational surrogacy is around $150,000. This estimate includes:

• Surrogacy agency fees
• Trust account management fee
• Psychological screening fee
• Legal fees for contract and parental rights establishment
• Surrogate base compensation
• Monthly allowance for surrogate
• Health insurance and life insurance for surrogate
• Embryo transfer and IVF fees
• Maternity clothing
• Medical costs (co-payments for OB appointments and delivery）

$150,000, however, is an estimate. The exact cost varies by family. For a better idea of how much to budget, reach out to a surrogacy agency for a personalized list of expenses.

Interested in Gestational Surrogacy?

Gestational surrogacy is a great option for parents-to-be who cannot carry their baby to term. If interested in this parenting route, reach out to a surrogacy agency to discuss the timeline and details for your journey.

At Accel Conceptions, we offer complimentary consultations to review the gestational surrogacy process and answer any questions. Book your consultation today.