What is the embryo transfer process like for a gestational surrogate?
A. While cycling with an IVF clinic, the surrogate and egg donor/intended mother are both started on birth control pills (or injectable Lupron – medication may vary) to coordinate their cycles. Once the surrogate mother begins her period she will then start an estrogen supplement in the form of injection, pills or patches. The estrogen helps to build a “triple pattern” uterine lining in preparation for the embryo transfer. A few days prior to the embryo transfer, the surrogate mother will then start a progesterone supplement in the form of injections or vaginal creams/capsules. The progesterone helps the body to maintain a pregnancy if the transfer is successful until the surrogate mother’s natural progesterone kicks in. (Because surrogate mothers are “suppressed” during cycling and do not ovulate, their body will not produce the progesterone needed to support a pregnancy). The actual embryo transfer procedure takes only a few minutes and is simple and painless. It is very much like a
