Surrogacy, Infertility, IVF, intrauterine insemination, sperm donors

Surrogacy and Gestational Carrier

Types of Surrogacy

Traditional (AI-) Surrogacy- Is when a woman agrees to donate her egg(s) and carries the pregnancy. The surrogate is artificially inseminated with the sperm of the intended father.

Gestational Carrier-Is when a woman agrees to carry the pregnancy, but has no biological tie to the embryo/fetus. Embryos that were formed from the eggs and sperm of the intended parents are transferred into the uterus of the surrogate, sometimes called the "gestational carrier".

Donor Egg/Gestational Surrogacy-Is when a woman agrees to carry the pregnancy, but has no biological tie to the embryo/fetus. Embryos that were formed from the egg of a known or anonymous donor and the sperm from the intended father or possibly donor sperm are transferred into the uterus of the surrogate. This surrogate may also be called the "gestational carrier".

Conditions for Considering Surrogacy or a Gestational Carrier

Severe Hyperemesis with Previous Pregnancy
Previous Chemotherapy
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss of Unknown Etiology
Severe Cardiac or Renal Disease
Malformed Uterus
Other Medical Conditions
Absent Uterus
Previous Ruptured Uterus

Screening of the Surrogate/Gestational Carrier

The traditional surrogate/gestational carrier is screened in accordance with the standards of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). This screening includes an extensive clinical interview with our psychologist who specializes in infertility, surrogacy and gestational carriers and a complete battery of personality tests. If any concerns should arise, the intended parents will be immediately informed.

A complete history and physical are performed by the physician on the traditional surrogate or gestational carrier. The traditional surrogate or gestational carrier is thoroughly screened for all infectious diseases utilizing blood tests and cervical cultures. She is also evaluated through blood tests for overall general health. These tests include thyroid and prolactin levels, ovarian reserve, cholesterol, glucose, liver enzymes, complete blood count, and rubella (german measles) titer. The traditional surrogate/gestational carrier will also have a sonohysterography test done to visualize and make sure the inside of her uterus is normal and able to carry a pregnancy.

If the traditional surrogate/gestational carrier has a partner, that partner is also thoroughly screened for all infectious diseases utilizing blood tests and semen cultures and is required to have a psychological evaluation. The intended parents are required to have a clinical interview with a psychologist as well as any appropriate medical screening.

If you would like to learn more about our surrogacy program, please call us at 610-964-9663 or e: mail us at rsidoc@aol.com.

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	Provides infertility, IVF's, and intrauterine insemination. The Reproductive Science Institute provides state of the art services in the area of assisted reproductive technology. Our health care team is dedicated to providing the highest quality, individualized and confidential care possible. This philosophy coupled with cutting edge technology provides our patients with significant success in achieving pregnancies. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a technique involving the fertilization of eggs by sperm outside the body. Intrauterine insemination is a treatment for male factor infertility. Male factor infertility is characterized by low sperm numbers, abnormally shaped sperm, and/or compromised sperm swimming ability (low motility). In addition, intrauterine insemination may be used for patients who have experienced failed fertilization in a previous IVF cycle. Even when no sperm are present in the ejaculate, sperm can be retrieved from the testis by a urologist and intrauterine insemination performed to achieve fertilization.

	Offers endometriosis and sperm donors. The Reproductive Science Institute was established in 1991 in Suburban Philadelphia and has expanded to Reading, Pennsylvania, providing comprehensive services in both male and female infertility and reproductive gynecological treatments. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality medical care with respect and compassion. We offer an individualized confidential approach along with state of the art technology. The institute is open seven days a week through out the year. Endometriosis is the most common cause of pelvic pain there is. So if a woman has pelvic pain she should begin by assuming she probably has endometriosis. Traditional (AI-) Surrogacy- Is when a woman agrees to donate her egg(s) and carries the pregnancy. The surrogate is artificially inseminated with the sperm of the intended father. Donor Egg/Gestational Surrogacy-Is when a woman agrees to carry the pregnancy, but has no biological tie to the embryo/fetus. Embryos that were formed from the egg of a known or anonymous donor and the sperm from the intended father or possibly donor sperm are transferred into the uterus of the surrogate. This surrogate may also be called the "gestational carrier".