Gestational Carrier

In cases when an intended mother has had her uterus removed or is unable to carry a pregnancy to term for personal or medical reasons, she might choose to use a gestational carrier.

Using IVF and, ideally, her own egg and her partner’s (or a donor’s) sperm, an embryo is created and then transferred in the carrier ‘s uterus, where it will hopefully be carried to term. The result is a healthy baby who carries the genetic material of the biological mother and father. From this point on, the implantation process continues as it would with a natural parent.

The process of choosing a gestational carrier is a very personal one. It is also highly regulated and involves a thorough screening process, signed consent forms and often legal contracts, and a preparation process that involves the administration of medications designed to prepare the carrier’s uterus for implantation of the embryo.