Gestational Surrogacy Medications
As a surrogate, you are making a profound impact on a person’s life by carrying a child for someone who otherwise would not be able to have their own children. Because you share no DNA with, and are not genetically related to, the baby you are carrying, a surrogate pregnancy is different from your own pregnancy.
So, how do you get pregnant as a surrogate? And, why do you need to take medicines? First, a surrogate becomes pregnant through In Vitro Fertilization, or IVF, which means fertilization “outside the body.” Your intended parents, assisted by their reproductive endocrinologist, will create embryos in a lab. One embryo will be selected to be transferred to you. Meanwhile, your body will be prepared to receive that embryo, using medications that are most appropriate for you, and then the embryo will be transferred to your uterus. When a pregnancy is confirmed, you will be transferred to your obstetrician for your maternity care.
As part of our All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Package, ConceiveAbilities provides expert guidance to prepare you for each step that leads to the embryo transfer and beyond. We know this may be your first experience with IVF and, along with support for the legal and insurance aspects of the process, we make you a Life Simplicity Promise™ which includes:
Expert Guidance Throughout Your Journey
We have 25 years of experience navigating the surrogacy process. You will have a dedicated Match Manager, mental health professionals, and expert surrogate nurses, to guide you throughout your journey.
A Step-by-Step IVF Calendar
Once you are medically cleared, your fertility clinic will provide you with a calendar to guide the scheduling of the activities associated with your embryo transfer. We will help you understand, prepare for, and manage that calendar.
Clinic Coordination
Our staff will coordinate with the physicians, nurses, and staff at fertility clinics to ensure your path through the Surrogate IVF process is as smooth as possible.
Travel Assistance
Professional arrangements, for you and a companion, for your medical visits, if your intended parents’ fertility clinic is out-of-state and requires one or two trips.
Become a SurrogateDisclaimer: This is one example of a protocol for surrogacy medications; however, your journey may or may not follow this example, as every surrogate’s body is different and may react differently to specific medications. The IVF clinic working with you and your intended parents, once you are matched, will determine the protocol best for you and a successful pregnancy.
ConceiveAbilities® would like to acknowledge Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Angeline Beltsos M.D., for her care and consideration in providing this information on surrogate medications. Dr. Beltsos has served as the Medical Director of Fertility Centers of Illinois, SC IVF-River North.
Surrogacy Medication FAQs
Do Surrogates Have To Take Hormones?
Though every surrogate is different, hormones are generally required, as they help prepare for the IVF process and facilitate a healthy pregnancy.
Will Surrogates Always Experience Side Effects From Medication?
Some surrogates will experience all of the possible side effects we mentioned above in the example protocol, while others won’t experience any at all. The intensity of these side effects will also vary. If you have any concerns about specific side effects from surrogacy medications, ConceiveAbilities and your IVF clinic will work with you to address them.
Printable Resources for you and your family as you learn about surrogacy together:
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