What happens during the cycle month and embryo transfer?
First, the surrogate and egg donor/intended mother are both started on birth control pills then each is asked to begin an injectible medication called Lupron. This enables the fertility specialist to coordinate both women’s cycles. Soon after the surrogate begins Lupron she will have a period. After which the surrogate will begin an estrogen supplement usually it is an injection given twice weekly but can also be offered in pill form or patches depending on which fertility specialist is used. The estrogen helps build a nice uterine lining in preparation for the embryo transfer. A few days prior to the embryo transfer the surrogate will begin daily progesterone injections, vaginal gel, or oral supplements. These help her body maintain a pregnancy if the transfer is successful until her natural progesterone kicks in. The embryo transfer procedure is simple, painless, and only takes a few minutes. It is much like a pelvic exam or pap smear. The fertility specialist will insert a speculum
