In circumstances where a woman is unable to safely carry a pregnancy on her own or where there is no female partner, as in the case of gay couples or single men, we suggest partnering with a gestational carrier to help achieve the goal of growing a family.
The opportunity to partner with a gestational carrier not only offers parenthood to gay or single men and infertile couples but allows one or both partners of a couple to pass on their genetic makeup to their baby.
Gestational carrier IVF is a careful agreement between a couple (the intended or genetic parents) and a third party female (the gestational carrier). The gestational carrier agrees to carry the couple's pregnancy to term, and while the baby will be genetically-related to the couple, it will not be related to the gestational carrier. The egg comes either from the intended mother or a donor egg. The sperm comes either from the intended father or from donor sperm. The intended or genetic parents are involved in the pregnancy, present at the birth, and become the child’s parents after the baby is born.
Regardless of whether you decide to use a gestational carrier with your own eggs or with donor eggs, we at Boston IVF understand there are significant and unique financial, emotional, and legal considerations associated with using a gestational carrier. Boston IVF offers experienced, compassionate care to address these considerations and guide you through the entire process.
WHO IT BENEFITS
Gestational surrogacy can be used in the following situations:
- single men who want to start a family
- gay couples who want to start a family
- women who are unable to safely carry a pregnancy
- women without a uterus or with an abnormal uterus
- individuals and couples who have been unsuccessful with previous fertility treatments and are suspected of having a problem with the uterus
FIRST STEPS
Women of advanced age, single men, and gay couples looking to create their families receive excellent support from our fertility team in the decision to connect with a gestational carrier. Our team will help you navigate the entire process, including finding a gestational carrier, finding legal guidance, locating and selecting donor eggs, and offering the world-class support and care you deserve.
You and your doctor will discuss and coordinate every detail, including which partner intends to donate sperm and undergo a semen analysis, review and selection of an appropriate gestational carrier, and review and selection of a suitable egg donor.
HOW TO find A GESTATIONAL CARRIER
In some instances, an individual or couple may ask a willing friend or family member to act as their gestational carrier. Often, patients rely on outside agencies to search for a suitable carrier.
Boston IVF works with many reputable agencies throughout the U.S. that represent women who have generously decided to carry a baby for soon-to-be parents. They have already undergone medical and psychiatric background checks and understand the gestational carrier process. Our team will guide you through communication with agencies and potential candidates, help coordinate screening appointments, and monitor the entire process.
The steps involved in a pregnancy carried out by a gestational carrier are very similar to those of a routine IVF cycle. The intended mother begins a routine of fertility drugs in order to produce multiple eggs. Her doctor then removes the eggs and combines them with either donor sperm or the intended father's sperm for in-vitro fertilization.
The difference between regular IVF and IVF with a gestational carrier is that the selected embryos are transferred into the carrier's uterus rather than the uterus of the intended mother.
SELECTING A GESTATIONAL CARRIER
Your fertility team at Boston IVF will guide you toward reputable agencies to help you connect with a gestational carrier. Following selection, your gestational carrier will receive care and monitoring at our clinic as you continue through the process.
COUNSELING
Prior to initiating a cycle of gestational carrier IVF, it is crucial that the intended parents, with their carrier, undergo medical, psychological, and legal counseling so that all parties are informed and in agreement.
FERTILITY INJECTIONS
The intended mother receives fertility injections designed to cause her ovaries to produce several eggs. These eggs are then non-surgically removed and combined with sperm from the intended father.
EMBRYO TRANSFER
Embryos are produced in the IVF laboratory. On the day of transfer, the selected embryos are placed into the gestational carrier's uterus.
When a woman is not able to use her own eggs, or for same sex male couples and single men, donor eggs may be used to create an embryo.
Our team of doctors at Boston IVF pioneered the country's first egg retrieval center, and your fertility team is prepared to assist you in locating the donor eggs that are best for you so that you can begin treatment as quickly as possible.
SELECTING DONOR EGGS
At Boston IVF, our long and extensive experience in egg donation will guide you through the process of selecting the best option for fresh or frozen eggs.
SELECTING A GESTATIONAL CARRIER
Your fertility team at Boston IVF will guide you toward reputable agencies to help you connect with a gestational carrier. Following selection, your gestational carrier will be able to receive care and monitoring at our clinic as you continue through the process.
COUNSELING
Prior to initiating a cycle of gestational carrier IVF, it is crucial that the intended parents, with their carrier, undergo medical, psychological, and legal counseling, so that all parties are informed and in agreement.
EMBRYO TRANSFER
Embryos are produced with donor eggs in the IVF laboratory. On the day of transfer, the selected embryos are placed into the gestational carrier's uterus.
