Surrogacy

Surrogacy is an option for infertile women who cannot use their own uterus to carry a child. This may be due to surgery, previous infections, congenital malformations, serious heath issues, or other conditions.

• There are two types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is inseminated (IUI) with the sperm of the father and carries the baby to term and delivery. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate caries the embryo created from an IVF cycle using the mother’s eggs and father’s sperm.

• When traditional surrogacy is performed the baby will have the genetic makeup of the surrogate and the father. A child born using gestational surrogacy will have the genetic makeup of both the father and mother. 

• Surrogates can be supplied by the couple, such as a family member (e.g. sister), or from an agency. There are several agencies throughout the United States that specialize in providing “screened” surrogate mothers.

• The surrogacy arrangement is emotionally complex, especially if a family member is chosen as the surrogate. All surrogates must undergo extensive physical and psychological evaluations. Approved legal documents must be in place prior to the surrogacy procedure.