Surrogacy is an increasingly popular choice for couples who cannot conceive naturally. It involves a woman carrying and delivering a baby for another person or couple.
A common question about surrogacy is: How does a surrogate mother become pregnant? While the process may seem complex, this article will break down the different surrogacy methods and explain how a surrogate mother gets pregnant.
How Does A Surrogate Mother Get Pregnant?
In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother becomes pregnant through a medical process called in vitro fertilization (IVF). During this procedure, eggs are harvested from the intended mother or an egg donor and fertilized with sperm from the intended father or a sperm donor in a laboratory setting. This creates an embryo, which is then carefully monitored and developed in a lab for a few days before being transferred into the surrogate’s uterus. Before the embryo transfer, the surrogate undergoes a series of tests and hormonal treatments to prepare her uterine lining for implantation, increasing the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate will not be genetically related to the baby. The process ensures that the child is genetically linked to the intended parents (if their sperm or eggs are used) or the respective donor. Once the embryo is successfully implanted and pregnancy is confirmed, the surrogate continues with regular prenatal care, just like any other pregnancy. The surrogacy process has become a widely used alternative option for intended parents who have exhausted all other options to having a child.
Requirements for Surrogate Motherhood
Prior to becoming a surrogate, a surrogate must go through the application process to ensure she meets the qualifications.
- Must have a proven pregnancy history with a minimum of one successful pregnancy and delivery without any complications.
- Must be physical healthy with a normal BMI (< 30), and free of major medications such as antidepressants.
- Having a stable lifestyle with adequate support from family and/or friends (surrogates pending a divorce will not be considered).
- Surrogates must be within an acceptable age range. At Made in the USA Surrogacy, we accept candidates between 23-38 years old.
The Process of Getting Pregnant as a Surrogate Mother
Becoming a surrogate mother involves several steps: screening, matching, medical procedures, and eventually, pregnancy. Let’s take a closer look at each of these steps.
Screening
The first step in becoming a surrogate mother is to undergo a thorough screening process. This is necessary to ensure that the woman is physically and emotionally fit to carry a pregnancy for someone else. The screening typically includes physical exams, blood tests, and psychological evaluations.
Matching
Once a woman has been deemed suitable for surrogacy through the screening process, she will be matched with intended parents who are looking for a surrogate. This process involves several factors such as compatibility between the surrogate and the intended parents’ preferences regarding location, personal values, beliefs and expectations of the surrogacy journey.
Medical Procedures
After being matched with intended parents, the surrogate will then undergo medical procedures to prepare for pregnancy. This involves taking medication to prepare her body hormonally and thicken the uterine lining for an optimal environment for an embryo to implant. Once the uterus has thickened to a desired thickness, then the embryo transfer will be completed. This will be completed under the supervision of the Reproductive Endocrinologist and Embryologist. The embryo will be transferred through a catheter into the surrogate’s uterus
Legal Considerations
The surrogacy process must involve proper legal parameters with an attorney who specializes in reproductive law. First, contractual details will spell out the rights and responsibilities, medical expectations, and compensation details prior to the surrogate becoming pregnant. Furthermore, once the surrogate is pregnant and the pregnancy is underway, additional steps must be taken with the courts to ensure legal parentage for the intended parents upon birth. This step ensures the intended parents are listed on the child’s birth certificate as the child’s parents.
Pregnancy
After embryo transfer, the surrogate will go through a 10-day waiting period before undergoing a pregnancy blood test to see if there is a positive indication for pregnancy. If pregnancy is detected, then the blood test will be repeated to ensure the numbers are rising appropriately. After successful blood work, a surrogate will have an ultrasound around 6 or 7 weeks of pregnancy to detect a fetal heartbeat. When we have achieved pregnancy, the surrogate will be released from IVF care and transition over to her OBGYN for her routine prenatal care.
Preparation for Birth
Throughout the pregnancy, the surrogate will receive regular prenatal care and support from her medical team. She may also undergo additional medical procedures or testing if necessary to ensure a healthy pregnancy for both herself and the baby.
As she nears her due date, the surrogate will prepare for giving birth by discussing birthing options with her medical team and creating a birthing plan. This plan will outline her preferences for pain management during labor, who she wants in the delivery room, and other important details related to the birth.
Child Birth
The birth of the child is the moment we all have waited for! At this time, the intended parents will make arrangements to be present for birth and go home with their child. Often times, if the surrogate is comfortable, the intended parents will enjoy the opportunity to be in the delivery room for the birth of their child.
Post-Birth Support
After the birth of the child, surrogates and intended parents may choose to accept the surrogates breastmilk, keep in touch, or simply go their separate ways. At Made in the USA Surrogacy, we will monitor how well the surrogate is recovering and ensure all expenses are paid.
Frequently Asked How Does Surrogate Mother Get Pregnant Questions
How long does it take for a surrogate mother to get pregnant?
The process of becoming pregnant as a surrogate can take anywhere from several months to over a year, depending on how quickly all necessary steps are completed and whether any complications arise along the way. Patience and flexibility are key throughout this journey.
What happens if there are complications during pregnancy or childbirth?
Complications can occur in any pregnancy, and this includes pregnancies involving surrogates. In such cases, the surrogate will receive appropriate medical care to ensure her health and safety. The intended parents are responsible for the costs of medical treatment related to the pregnancy.
Are you ready to get started?
If you’ve been interested in the surrogacy process, and feel this is a unique opportunity for you than we invite you to apply. Made in the USA Surrogacy will walk you through all steps of the surrogacy process for a smooth and rewarding surrogacy experience.
