Gestational Surrogacy

Overview

Gestational surrogacy is one of the non-coital reproductive techniques wherein the eggs harvested from the intended mother’s ovaries are fertilized in a petri dish with the intended father’s sperms. The resulting embryos are implanted into the surrogate’s womb, where they will hopefully implant and develop into a live birth. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother has no genetic ties to the child and acts only as a gestational carrier for the pregnancy.

The Procedure

An appropriate surrogate mother is chosen and once the surrogacy contract is signed the surrogate mother is scheduled an appointment for medical screening. Sample blood drawing, ultrasounds and vaginal cultures are performed. Once the medical testing requirements are complete the surrogate is prepared for the medical procedure. For gestational surrogates, it involves preparing a receptive uterine lining for embryo transfer. This involves taking fertility medications and tracking the surrogate’s menstrual cycles so that they sync with your cycles. When your eggs are mature and ready to be fertilized, they are retrieved through transvaginal ultrasound aspiration, a minor surgical procedure and fertilized with the sperm sample produced by your partner. This is done in the laboratory. After fertilization, the embryos are transferred to the surrogate’s womb. She will be prescribed a bed rest for at least 24 hours following the transfer. Once the surrogate mother is pregnant, she will be advised to wean herself off the supportive hormones and schedule for an ultrasound.

The Symptoms

You may use a Gestational surrogate if you

• You have had your uterus removed surgically due to cervical or uterine cancer, fibroids, uncontrolled bleeding or severe endometriosis, but the ovaries are intact
• You have a nonfunctional uterus
• You have acquired disorders like adenomyosis, extensive fibroids, or Asherman’s syndrome that made your uterus unsuitable for pregnancy

The Eligibility Using a gestational surrogate may be a good choice if

• You can provide the eggs to make a baby but have no womb to carry it
• You have had recurrent IVF implantation failures or miscarriages
• You suffer from a medical condition that could result in serious health risks to you or your baby.
• You are capable of producing healthy eggs but unable to carry a pregnancy safely
• Other fertility treatments have failed

The Risks Involved

The risks are similar to those that may be experienced with all other methods of assisted reproductive treatments. It includes increased chances of multiple births, premature birth and a low birth weight baby. Reactions to fertility enhancing drugs can cause hot flushes, irritability, mood swings, headaches and restlessness. There is also a small risk of ovarian hyperstimulationsyndrome that causes abdominal discomfort, bloating, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting. However this condition is extremely rare.

The Impact

Using your own eggs, gestational surrogacy gives you an opportunity to have a child genetically related to you. Though gestational surrogacy has many components it is safe and the success rates are also considerably high. It is favored over adoption as the baby does not bear any biological relation to the surrogate. Hence, the surrogate mother is not likely to develop a strong emotional parental attachment to the child.

Gestational surrogacy is the most accepted type of surrogacy where the baby born through this process is genetically related to the intended parents. Gestational surrogacy has indeed added one more weapon in the arsenal for women longing to have a baby. However, surrogacy is a complicated and sensitive process that is difficult to accomplish successfully without expert help. So go to the experts - GBR to experience the personalized infertility care!