Gestational surrogacy is when a woman agrees to carry and deliver a pregnancy for another couple or individual. The gestational surrogate has no genetic ties to the baby.
How does gestational surrogacy work?
Unlike traditional surrogacy, a gestational surrogate’s eggs are never fertilized, and she has no genetic ties to the baby. Before matching, intended parents undergo medical screening, egg retrievals, and collect sperm samples to create their own embryos. The embryo is later implanted in the surrogate’s uterus via in-vitro fertilization (IVF). This makes the journey less complicated and is why it is the most common form of surrogacy.
The three phases: screening, matching, and pregnancy & delivery
Screening. Gestational surrogate candidates and intended parents begin their journey, most often with a reputable agency. PLS invests significant time into the surrogate candidate’s medical history, reviewed by both a nurse and our in-house Medical Director, to ensure a healthy and successful experience for everyone.
Matching. The matching process gets to the heart of what both parties hope for. Your agency and attorneys help you outline all the legal parameters for your journey.
Pregnancy & delivery. The surrogate carries the pregnancy while the intended parents await their growing family. Many PLS matches form strong bonds that extend beyond delivery. PLS also includes the “4th trimester” — checking in with both parties to ensure everyone is adjusting well post-delivery.
Who becomes a gestational surrogate?
- Between the ages of 21 and 43
- Has given birth to at least one child, with a history of normal pregnancies
- Has a BMI within a healthy range for pregnancy (roughly 18–33)
- Is a non-smoker and does not use drugs
- Is medically, emotionally, and financially stable
Gestational surrogates undergo medical examinations with a fertility specialist during the screening phase to confirm they are able to carry a surrogacy pregnancy. At Private Label Surrogacy, we work tirelessly to make sure each gestational surrogate and intended parent experiences a high level of care from our team of physicians, nurses, and expert care members.
Frequently asked questions
What is gestational surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy is when a woman agrees to carry and deliver a pregnancy for another couple or individual. The gestational surrogate has no genetic ties to the baby.
How is gestational surrogacy different from traditional surrogacy?
Unlike traditional surrogacy, a gestational surrogate’s eggs are never fertilized and she has no genetic relationship to the child. Intended parents create embryos in advance, and an embryo is implanted in the surrogate via in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
What are the requirements to become a gestational surrogate?
A gestational surrogate must be 21–43 years old, have given birth to at least one child with a history of normal pregnancies, have a BMI roughly between 18 and 33, be a non-smoker and non-drug user, and be medically, emotionally, and financially stable.
What are the phases of the gestational surrogacy process?
The journey has three main phases: screening, matching, and pregnancy & delivery. Private Label Surrogacy also includes a “4th trimester” to support both the surrogate and the new parents after delivery.