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Why Gestational Surrogacy Might Be Right for You

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Gestational surrogacy is a great option for people who want to have a baby, but due to uterine abnormalities just cannot do so on their own.

The process involves impregnating a surrogate mother via in vitro fertilization. The parents’ sperm and egg are used, so the baby has their parents’ genes. Egg or sperm donation may also be used to create the embryo.

At the California Center for Reproductive Health, we recommend gestational surrogacy for women with irreparable uterine problems or for same-sex couples. If you’re considering gestational surrogacy, but still have questions about the procedure and if it’s right for you, read on.

When you might opt for gestational surrogacy

If you’re in a couple who wants to become parents, but problems with the woman’s uterus makes pregnancy inviable, surrogacy may be for you.

These may be cases in which a woman had a hysterectomy, but still has her ovaries, or a woman diagnosed with an irreparable uterine anomaly or recurrent pregnancy loss.

If you’re a woman for whom pregnancy is contraindicated — for example if you have a history of hormone responsive cancer, severe cardiopulmonary concerns, or likelihood for a poor obstetrical outcome — surrogacy is smart.

Gay men and couples looking to build their families may also successfully use surrogacy to create their families.

Maintain a biological connection to your child

Surrogacy allows you to be biologically connected to your child. You get to decide which sperm and eggs are used to create the embryo. If you’re a male and female parenting duo, you can use your own. If either partner has problems, donor sperm or eggs can be used. Same-sex couples usually need to seek a donor sperm or egg to proceed with surrogacy.

High success rates

We do a thorough evaluation of all potential gestational carriers to ensure your embryo is going into a healthy environment. Prior to embryo transfer, your surrogate undergoes numerous screening tests, including sonohysterogram, hysterosalpingogram, and an hysteroscopy to evaluate their uterus.

Ideal surrogates have also already carried a baby to term, which also confirms their ability to carry your pregnancy successfully.

We also perform emotional and mental screenings to ensure your surrogate is fit for the role.

We take care of the legalities

When you go through the California Center for Reproductive Health, you can rest assured that all parties have entered into a legal agreement to establish parenting rights during the surrogacy process. This eliminates any confusion or surprises that may come up in the future.

Surrogacy means you’re involved in the process

The legal agreements and surrogacy process means you can be present at all doctor’s appointments and during the baby’s delivery. You can still experience the excitement and joy that comes with having a baby as you get to be there every step of the way.

You do have options when it comes to building your family, even if it seems like your body is working against you. Gestational surrogacy means you can be a parent to a baby that has your genes, even if you can’t conventionally carry a baby to term.

Our team is dedicated to helping you get the family you dream of having. Call one of our offices in Encino, Valencia, Alhambra, or West Hollywood, California, to set up an appointment. Alternatively, reach out via this website.

See Dr. Mor’s Publications

Eliran Mor, MD

Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Santa Monica, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA
Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA Doctor Mor received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University-Sackler School of Medicine in Israel. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, Dr. Mor completed a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility […]
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FAQ

What does a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist do?

Reproductive endocrinology and Infertility is a sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to managing medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the female reproductive tract, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (REI) specialists undergo additional years of training to provide fertility treatments using assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization.

Reproductive endocrinologists receive board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

When should I see an REI specialist?

In general, patients should consider consulting with an REI specialist after one year of trying unsuccessfully to achieve pregnancy. The chance of conceiving every month is around 20%, therefore after a full year of trying approximately 15% of couples will still not have achieved a pregnancy.

However, if a woman is over the age of 35 it would be reasonable to see a fertility specialist earlier, typically after 6 months of trying.

Other candidates to seek earlier treatment are women who have irregular menses, endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women who have had 2 or more miscarriages, or problems with the fallopian tubes (prior ectopic pregnancy).

What are the reasons we are having trouble conceiving?

Approximately 1/3 of the time cause for infertility is a female factor, 1/3 of the time a male factor, and the remaining 1/3 a couples’ factor.

At CCRH, we emphasize the importance of establishing a correct diagnosis. Both partners undergo a comprehensive evaluation including a medical history and physical exam.

Furthremore, the woman’s ovarian reserve is assessed with a pelvic ultrasound and a hormonal profile. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will confirm fallopian tube patency and the uterine cavity is free of intracavitary lesions. A semen analysis is also obtained to evaluate for concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm.

Additional work up is then individualized to direct the best possible treatment option for each couple.

What is IVF? What is the process like?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process that involves fertilization of an egg outside of a woman’s body.

The process starts with fertility drugs prescribed to help stimulate egg development. In your natural cycle, your body is only able to grow one dominant egg, but with stimulation medication we can recruit multiple eggs to continue to grow. After about 8-10 days of stimulation, the eggs are surgically retrieved and then fertilized with sperm in a specialized laboratory. Fertilized eggs are then cultured under a strictly controlled environment within specialized incubators in the IVF laboratory for 3-5 days while they develop as embryos. Finally, embryos (or an embryo) are transferred into the uterine cavity for implantation.

Should I have IVF?

Before deciding if IVF is the right choice, it’s important to sit down with an REI specialist to discuss available treatment options. For some people, other methods such as fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be the best first choice treatment. At CCRH, we believe each individual couple is unique and not everyone needs IVF.

Is the IVF procedure painful?

While not painful, the fertility medications may some side effects including headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and bloating. The injection sites may also bruise.

Will IVF guarantee a baby?

Unfortunately, no. Many people think once they start IVF it’s a matter of time that they will be pregnant and have a baby. But according to national statistics per the Society of Assisted Reproduction (SART), on average 40% of assisted reproduction cycles achieve live births in women under age 35. The chances of success then continue to decrease with advancing age.

At CCRH, we employ only evidence-based interventions to ensure patient safety and optimal outcome. While we cannot guarantee a baby, we guarantee that you will receive the best, most advanced, personalized care to help you maximize your chance of a baby.

What is the success rate for IVF?

The average IVF success rate (success measured in live birth rate) using one’s own eggs begins to drop around age 35 and then rapidly after age 40. This is due to the decline in egg quantity and egg quality as a woman ages.

Our clinic’s success rate consistently beats the national average year after year.

Do insurance plans cover infertility treatment? How much does IVF cost?

Individual insurance plans often do not have any coverage for infertility treatments. If you have a group plan, you can call members services to see if they have coverage for infertility (including consultation/workup and IVF).

After your consultation with our REI specialist, one of our dedicated account managers with sit with you to go over the cost of treatment.

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