Gestational Carrier

Gestational Carrier/ Surrogacy

What is a Gestational Carrier?

Gestational carrier or gestational surrogacy is a method using in vitro fertilization, eggs harvested from either the intended mother or an egg donor are fertilized with the prospective father's sperm, and then transferred to the uterus of the gestational surrogate mother. She then carries and gives birth to the child.

Sometimes a woman may not be physically able to carry a pregnancy to term. Her uterus may be damaged and unable to support implantation and embryonic development. She might also have health problems that would place her at risk if she were pregnant. She may have undergone surgery removing her ovaries or have had repeated failed attempts of infertility treatment. Surrogacy is an option for many of these women.

The Gestational Carrier Process

Dr. Pinto can assist couples in the opportunity to become parents. Dr. Pinto has a professional working relationship with these gestational carrier agencies and will be more than happy to provide support and guidance to you in embarking on this journey. The process is very similar to those used in donor egg cycles with embryo transfer into the recipient's uterus.

Two Methods:

The first method is similar to an egg donation cycle. The gestational carrier serves as the "recipient". The couple attempting to have a child serve as the egg and sperm "donors".

Medications are used to synchronize the menstrual cycles of both women. The intended parent uses fertility medication to stimulate the development of eggs. The gestational carrier takes medication to prepare her uterus. At the appropriate time, the eggs are removed from the "donor" female are fertilized with her partners sperm.

The embryos created are cultured in the lab and then placed into the uterus of the gestational carrier.

An alternative method uses cryopreservation of embryos. In this technique, the couple trying to have a baby goes through a standard IVF cycle. All of the embryos are cryopreserved (frozen). These embryos are then later thawed and placed into the uterus of the gestational carrier after hormonal preparation.

Please contact our office for more information. If you are interested in this process we can put you in touch with the appropriate agency that will assist in the gestational carrier process. We pride ourselves on professionalism and sensitivity to your needs.