California residents who have fertility issues have several options for assistance in starting a family. Using a gestational carrier is one of them for many good reasons. If you choose this route to have a baby, this is what to expect with the medical surrogacy process.
Medical screening
After the intended parents have chosen a gestational carrier and have gotten egg and sperm donation, the carrier undergoes medical screening. This is to ensure that she is physically and mentally healthy to carry a child for the intended parents. The carrier has bloodwork and an ultrasound of her uterus. If the intended father’s sperm is to be used in creating embryos, he will also have bloodwork done.
Embryo transfer
After the gestational surrogate is cleared, she is given hormones to help prepare for in vitro fertilization where the embryo transfer process occurs. This is done with a catheter; anesthesia is unnecessary, but the carrier is advised to rest for several days after the procedure. Then, one week after embryo transfer, the carrier returns to the clinic to confirm that pregnancy has taken place.
Ultrasound and prenatal care
Once the pregnancy has been confirmed by the fertility clinic, the gestational carrier returns during the sixth week to undergo the first ultrasound. The intended parents are often present during this appointment to see their baby on the ultrasound, which is highly emotional and joyous.
The gestational carrier then receives regular prenatal care and has additional appointments to monitor the progress of the fetus. If the pregnancy has resulted in multiples, the carrier may need more frequent visits to ensure that things are stable and the babies are properly developing.