The surrogacy process involves a number of medical procedures. If you’re considering becoming a surrogate or are interested in starting a family through surrogacy, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with these procedures. While different contributing factors will determine who undergoes which medical processes during surrogacy, it is helpful to become aware of what may occur. In Vitro Fertilization, or IVF, is a key component of surrogacy, necessary for it to succeed.
Prescreening Test
Initially, the IVF clinic will need to review medical records, conduct a physical exam of the woman/women whose eggs and/or uterus will be used, and conduct prescreening testing. The testing is different for men and women and will help to diagnose the fertility problem. Results will help the fertility specialist design an individualized fertility treatment plan. The more thorough the prescreening, the greater the chance for IVF success and a successful surrogacy journey.
Initial Consult and Ovary Prep
At this time, the fertility doctor will perform a mock embryo transfer. The mock transfer allows the doctor to identify what size catheter will be needed during the official embryo transfer. Women have compared this procedure to a pap smear.
Ovarian Stimulation
The goal of an IVF cycle is to mature and retrieve several eggs at once. During surrogacy, if the intended mother will be using her own eggs, she will need to take hormone injections. The hormones used stimulate follicles to develop eggs in the ovaries. The hormone injections typically last 8 to 14 days and include the hormones: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These are the same hormones that stimulate the single egg to develop during a standard menstruation cycle.
The woman will need to be monitored directly in the office approximately 7-8 times. These appointments will include vaginal ultrasounds and bloodwork. The bloodwork will show the estrogen level (this level should increase as the follicles grow), and the ultrasounds should show the follicles growing and the uterine wall thickening.
The Egg Retrieval
Once the doctor has determined the follicles are the right size a final shot will be injected to prepare the eggs for retrieval. Two to three days later the woman will return to the clinic for the procedure. Typically the egg retrieval process is completed within thirty minutes.
Fertilization
Once the eggs have been retrieved they will be fertilized by the semen at the clinic. The healthiest sperm are identified and strategically placed near the egg to increase the chance for penetration.
In the surrogacy process, when the intended parent’s semen is being used but is determined to be of poor quality, the clinic can attempt fertilization through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). During ICSI the strongest sperm is selected and injected directly into the egg.
Egg Transfer
The fertilized egg will be monitored for three to five days to check its development. At the blastocyst stage, the fertilized egg will be transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. Sometimes more than one fertilized egg is transferred at once. The egg transfer is a quick and painless procedure that can be completed in under fifteen minutes.
The surrogacy process is a wonderful and intricate journey. Familiarizing yourself with the involved steps, including the medical procedures, will better prepare you for the experience.
*Please note: this is a general synopsis. You should speak with your healthcare provider for more information and details about your individual process.
