Gestational Carrier

While there are many couples who have trouble conceiving a pregnancy, some couples are able to conceive, but experience fertility problems that prevent them from carrying a pregnancy to term. In cases like this, couples can utilize what is known as a gestational carrier. During this process, the intended parents undergo an IVF cycle, where the intended mother's ovaries are stimulated with hormones and her eggs retrieved. The intended mother's eggs and intended father's sperm are used to produce embryos. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the uterus of the gestational carrier - a woman who becomes pregnant with the embryos of another couple. She is given hormones to synchronize her uterus and support a pregnancy. She carries and delivers a child for a couple who cannot carry their own pregnancy. The gestational carrier has no genetic link to the fetus that she carries. Prior to initiating a cycle, the intended parents and their carrier must undergo medical and psychological evaluation, and must obtain legal counsel.

Who is a candidate for Gestational Carrier services?

Physicians determine if a gestational carrier is clinically indicated, and then advise you on how to proceed. Candidates for this special program include any women who cannot successfully carry a pregnancy to term. Clinical indications for gestational carrier services are:

Women who have had their uterus removed but retain one or both ovaries.
Uterine factors such as fibroids, severe scar tissue, DES exposure, or congenital anomalies, that cannot be surgically corrected.
Serious medical conditions in which a pregnancy would put a mother's health at significant risk.

Choosing a Gestational Carrier

Some couples who participate in this program may prefer to have a relative or friend serve as the gestational carrier. Other couples will instead use the services of an outside party. In this second scenario, the carrier is compensated for her time and effort. The patient generally arranges the financial and legal agreements between the parties.

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