Gestational Surrogacy is a term used to describe when a woman, referred to as a Surrogate or Gestational Carrier (GC), stands in for or substitutes for the biological mother. She does this by carrying a pregnancy and delivering a baby for a couple or individual (Intended Parent(s)), who otherwise couldn’t become pregnant and carry the baby on their own. 

 

The Surrogate has no genetic link to the baby because her egg is not used. Instead, the egg and sperm from the Intended Parent(s) or donors are used to create an embryo which is then transferred to the Surrogate’s uterus.  This is accomplished through a medical procedure called in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and is performed in a fertility doctor's office.

 

Once the pregnancy is confirmed, the Surrogate provides a healthy and nurturing environment for the baby throughout the pregnancy, then delivers the baby to the Intended Parent(s)' care.