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:-
- a complete medical history from both partners by their own gynaecologist including blood screens (see below);
- 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;
- assessment by an independent counsellor only of any dependent children over the age of four of either couple;
- assessment and physical examination of the commissioning mother and the surrogate mother by a specialist doctor;
- a legal report by a lawyer in the state where the baby will be delivered; and
- 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:
- Exact timing of collection of oocytes;
- The collection of the oocytes from the commissioning female;
- Fertilisation of the oocytes that may become embryos;.
- Freezing of suitable embryos; and
- Subsequent transfer of the embryo/s into the uterus of the gestational surrogate.