Surrogacy Evaluation

The Commissioning Couple:

The surrogacy process may be considered by a commissioning woman who:

  • has functioning ovaries but no uterus;
  • has reproductive tract malformations;
  • is incapable of carrying a pregnancy for medical reasons;
  • has had many unsuccessful attempts at IVF and embryo transfers; or
  • has history of repeated miscarriage.

The evaluation of the infertile couple for gestational surrogacy includes:-

  1. a complete medical history from both partners by their own gynaecologist including blood screens (see below);
  2. an assessment of commissioning couple and surrogate and the surrogate’s partner by two counsellors, one counsellor from the fertility clinic and an independent counsellor;
  3. assessment by an independent counsellor only of any dependent children over the age of four of either couple;
  4. assessment and physical examination of the commissioning mother and the surrogate mother by a specialist doctor;
  5. a legal report by a lawyer in the state where the baby will be delivered; and
  6. statutory declarations to state surrogacy of a non commercial basis.

Blood screens — Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis C, HIV, Antibodies, Rubella, Blood Group and antibodies, and any blood tests showing reproductive hormone levels.

The Surrogate

The ideal surrogate:

  • is between 25-37 years of age;
  • has previously carried a pregnancy to term without complications;
  • does not abuse any drugs such as alcohol, cigarettes or marijuana;
  • if she is sexually active, has a monogamous relationship;
  • is healthy, having no known illnesses such as diabetes etc and appropriate blood screen results;
  • is not Rh sensitive (i.e. sensitivity to antibodies that could jeopardize the health of the foetus and the surrogate); and
  • is known or related to the commissioning couple.

The IVF treatment for surrogacy involves these main stages:

  1. Exact timing of collection of oocytes;
  2. The collection of the oocytes from the commissioning female;
  3. Fertilisation of the oocytes that may become embryos;.
  4. Freezing of suitable embryos; and
  5. Subsequent transfer of the embryo/s into the uterus of the gestational surrogate.