BECOMING A SURROGATE
Becoming a gestational surrogate is a meaningful commitment and an extraordinary experience. Here’s what the process involves, from your initial application and screening through to medical clearance and matching.
THE PROCESS
Four stages, each at your own pace. Nothing moves forward until you are ready.
Complete our detailed surrogate questionnaire, then speak with one of our surrogate coordinators. We’ll explain the process, answer your questions, and review your medical and pregnancy history with you.
To continue with screening, we’ll ask you to provide:
Recent Pap smear results
A clearance letter from your OB/GYN
Labour and delivery records from your previous pregnancies
A copy of your full health insurance policy
Recent photographs of you and your family
Authorization for a criminal background check
A qualified psychologist will guide you — and your partner, where applicable — through a written assessment and interview to make sure everyone feels informed, prepared and comfortable moving forward.
Your fertility clinic will complete a full medical screening, which may include bloodwork, urine testing, a saline sonogram and a physical evaluation. You may also meet the intended parents as part of the matching process, and a home visit may be required. Once medical and psychological clearance is complete, the legal process begins.
MEDICATIONS
Your fertility clinic will guide you through the medications needed to prepare your body for embryo transfer. We believe it’s important that you understand what to expect physically before you decide to move forward.
Your fertility clinic will prescribe a medication protocol tailored to your cycle. This may include:
Birth control pills — to help regulate and coordinate your cycle before embryo transfer
Estrogen — given as a pill, patch or injection to prepare the uterine lining
Lupron — may be used to regulate the cycle and prevent premature ovulation
Progesterone — often given by injection or another prescribed route to support the uterine lining and early pregnancy
Medrol — a corticosteroid that some clinics include in their transfer protocol
Low-dose aspirin — may be prescribed as part of the clinic’s protocol
Prenatal vitamins — to support nutritional needs before and during pregnancy
Your fertility clinic will give you a medication calendar tailored to your cycle. In many protocols, you may begin with birth control pills, followed by medications such as Lupron and estrogen to prepare for transfer. Progesterone is typically started before embryo transfer, and other medications may be added depending on your clinic’s protocol and your response.
Possible side effects may include:
Headaches
General discomfort
Hot flashes
Injection-site irritation
Rashes
Breast tenderness
Some medications may be given by injection, and every surrogate’s protocol is different. It’s important to discuss any concerns, allergies or previous reactions with your coordinator and fertility clinic before treatment begins.
Because medication is an essential part of the embryo transfer process, your medical team will need to confirm that the prescribed protocol is appropriate and safe for you before you move forward.
COMMON QUESTIONS
These are some of the questions that come up most often in our first conversations with prospective surrogates. If your question isn’t covered here, one of our coordinators will be happy to answer it personally.
Yes. Medication is an important part of preparing for embryo transfer, and some of the medications may be given by injection. The exact protocol varies from surrogate to surrogate and is prescribed by the fertility clinic based on your individual cycle.
Tell us as early as possible. Your concerns should be discussed with both your coordinator and the fertility clinic so you fully understand the purpose, risks and alternatives within your prescribed protocol.
Some medications are an essential part of the embryo transfer process, so if you are unable or unwilling to take a required medication, the clinic may determine that a particular protocol or match is not suitable for you.
Our programme requires gestational surrogates to be between 21 and 37 years old, have a BMI under 32, and have previously given birth to at least one child they are currently raising. Because of these eligibility requirements, postmenopausal applicants would not qualify for our programme.
THINKING ABOUT IT?
A first conversation costs you nothing and commits you to nothing. We would rather you knew exactly what is involved.
