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    • The Medical Process of Surrogacy

      ADOPTIVE FAMILY SERVICES

      The Medical Process of Surrogacy

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    The surrogacy medical process is often one of the first things that women who are considering becoming surrogates ask about.  It’s not a very well-known process, and like the legal steps of surrogacy, it can seem pretty complex.
    Surrogate Legal Services in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC

    Although the surrogacy medical process can be very technical and tedious, it’s rewarding in the most amazing way — you’re the person who helps someone else to become a parent. Remember,every woman’s surrogacy treatment will be unique because everyone’s body is different. This article does not serve as medical advice, and you should always follow the directions given to you by your own doctors and fertility clinic. Generally, however, these are the eight standard steps of the surrogacy medical process in MD, VA, DC and beyond:

    The Eight Standard Steps of the Surrogacy Medical Process in MD, VA, D.C. & Beyond:

    • Complete the medical screening

      The medical screening process ared for the physical demands of a surrogate pregnancy. This will usually be completed by the fertility clinic you and your intended parents will work with and/or by your regular doctor. The screening process will typically involve:

      • A pap smear
      • A physical
      • Bloodwork to check you and your partner (if applicable) for infectious diseases like HIV or hepatitis
      • A saline sonogram to check for uterine fibroids or anything that may interfere with pregnancy
      • A hysteroscopy to check that your uterus is a healthy size and shape and that your fallopian tubes are unobstructed
      • + And more

      Most surrogacy professionals will also require a psychological screening process to ensure you’re emotionally prepared for the surrogacy process. Some may have additional requirements you’ll need to meet before proceeding with the medical stages of surrogacy.

    • Undergo a mock cycle

      In a mock cycle, the fertility specialist you and the intended parents work with will prescribe you the fertility medications that you will take in preparation for the real embryo transfer cycle. Taking these fertility medications will allow the specialist to monitor your uterine lining and hormone levels to ensure that your body is responding favorably and to make sure that there are no medical issues with surrogacy in your individual situation.

    • Cycle prep for the embryo transfer

      If your body responds well to the mock cycle, you’ll move on to the real version.


      If you and your intended parents are using frozen embryos, transfers are planned to match your cycle. There won’t be much more preparation for you.


      If you’re using fresh embryos, the intended mother or egg donor will need to sync her cycle with yours using birth control pills and Lupron injections. She will also be taking fertility hormone injections to stimulate increased production of eggs, which will be retrieved, fertilized and incubated for five days. Then, the day and time of the embryo transfer can be scheduled with you.

    • Complete the embryo transfer

      Following your doctor’s recommendation, you’ll cease Lupron injections and start taking progesterone (usually in the form of injections) to maintain the correct balance of hormones. You’ll also usually take estrogen replacements in the form of pills, patches or shots. You’ll continue taking both progesterone and estrogen until about 12 weeks into your pregnancy, at which point the placenta is usually able to produce those hormones on its own.


      When the embryos have been incubating for five days and you’re five days past the middle of your cycle, the embryo transfer will occur at the fertility clinic. Transfers are generally quick and painless and do not typically require anesthesia. However, you’ll need to rest for a while at the clinic after the procedure, and then you’re usually asked to rest for a couple of days following transfer to encourage implantation.

    • Confirm the pregnancy

      You’ll return to the fertility clinic about nine days after the embryo transfer for an HCG test, which measures your hormone levels for potential pregnancy. If the count reads at 50 or higher, a positive, stable pregnancy is indicated. A count reading over 200 may mean that you’re pregnant with multiples.


      You’ll return two days later for another HCG test to check that your levels are increasing. In a stable pregnancy, HCG levels should double about every couple of days.


      It’s not uncommon to need multiple embryo transfers for a successful pregnancy to occur. When you’ve been confirmed as pregnant, you’ll need to be closely monitored to ensure a healthy pregnancy.


    • Receive an Ultrasound Six Weeks after Confirmed Pregnancy

      Six weeks after pregnancy confirmation through positive HCG levels, you’ll receive an ultrasound to check for a fetal heartbeat. If a heartbeat is confirmed, you can usually continue seeing your regular OBGYN for the rest of your pregnancy. However,  some fertility clinics prefer that you receive another ultrasound at about 12 weeks, with regular appointments to monitor your hormone levels in an effort to keep an eye on the stability of the pregnancy.

    • Get prenatal care and checkups

      When the fertility clinic is satisfied that your pregnancy is stable and strong, you can go about your pregnancy like you would with any other. You’ll see your OBGYN for regular prenatal care and routine checkups.

    • Delivery the baby

      During the surrogacy contract stage, which is completed with legal representation prior to the surrogacy medical process, a plan is made for the birth and the roles of everyone involved are discussed during the surrogacy contract stage, which is completed with legal representation. That way, you’ll all know what to expect when you go into labor.


      Typically, intended parents travel to support their surrogate when she’s in labor and are there to welcome their baby with her. Again, this is something you’ll discuss and decide together in advance. Today, hospitals are usually very accommodating of surrogate births. Simply let your chosen hospital know in advance.


    The moment a surrogate mother places a child into their parents’ arms for the first time is what makes the surrogacy experience so rewarding. Our attorneys here at Modern Family Formation Law Offices are proud to represent surrogates throughout this journey.




    Contact us now to learn more about how to become a surrogate and make a difference in someone’s life.

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