Here is what you can anticipate if you decide to pursue Gestational IVF surrogacy process:
Once a suitable IVF surrogate mother has been selected and matched. Your surrogate will be medically screened in person with your IVF clinic. Legal agreements are signed between the intended parents and the surrogate. These agreements include the compensation to be given to the surrogate as well as the surrogate signing over any parental rights over the resulting child.
You, your surrogate, and potentially your egg donor will take fertility drugs and synchronize your cycles for a fresh cycle, or you will create embryos and freeze them to be transferred to your surrogate at a later date.
Once the intended mother or donor’s eggs are ready, the egg retrieval will occur, and the embryos will be created in a laboratory.
Your fertility clinic will transfer the newly created embryo(s) into your IVF surrogate mother’s uterus during an embryo transfer.
Two weeks later, your surrogate will take a blood pregnancy test to check for successful implantation. Typically, two or three beta hCG tests are conducted to verify a pregnancy and track its development, especially during the early stages or if there are worries regarding the pregnancy’s viability.
Although a single beta hCG test can suggest pregnancy, monitoring the fluctuations in levels over time offers a clearer understanding of whether the pregnancy is progressing as expected.
If there was no implantation, you can opt for a second embryo transfer. If the embryo transfer was successful, congratulations! Your IVF clinic will monitor your surrogate until 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy, and then she’ll begin going to her OB.
Your surrogate will continue to visit her OB during the second and third trimester until she delivers the baby. After she gives birth, you can finally bring your baby into your loving home.
This entire journey highlights how does surrogacy work in practice.
Surrogacy With IVF
Some families may choose to stay in touch with their surrogate, although there is no legal obligation to do so unless you have agreed to specific terms in your contract such as milestone updates. But do remember that the gift your surrogate has given you is an amazing one and you should treat her with the appropriate respect and appreciation.
