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Medical professionals play a big role in the surrogacy process. While each surrogacy follows its own unique timeline, we've created a 5-step guide to help IPs and surrogates understand the different medical appointments to expect along the way.

Step One

IPs

Once IPs commit to pursuing surrogacy to grow their family, they must connect with necessary medical professionals. During the earliest weeks, it's important to connect with an IVF specialist.

Surrogates

Once a woman commits to become a gestational carrier, she should contact her OB's office to prepare medical records and histories of previous births.

Step Two

IPs

Once the IPs have determined what medical professionals they will work with, they need to undergo medical screenings. The screenings will be imperative if either IP will use their own sperm or egg. If the IPs will be using an egg donor or sperm donor, they will need to find the donor bank(s) they intend to use.

Surrogates

Once the surrogate has connected with a reputable agency, she will need to complete basic screening. A review of her medical history, psychological history, and birth records of her own children should be expected. The information gathered during this screening will be needed to determine the woman's eligibility to become a surrogate.

Step Three

IPs

First the IPs will need to work with the agency to match with a surrogate. Once they are matched, they will be responsible for maintaining contact with the surrogate while she is being screened.

Surrogates

Once she has been given clearance and matched with IP(s), the surrogate will have medical screening at the IPs' clinic, then she will begin preparing for the cycle.

The surrogate will work with the IPs' clinic and will begin the cycle by taking a serious of hormones and medications to prepare her body for pregnancy. The hormones used, and amount of time required to take them will depend on the individual. Generally, six to eight weeks of hormone injections should be expected.

The last step in this stage will be the embryo transfer. Ideally, the first embryo transfer will result in pregnancy, although some surrogates may have to undergo a few embryo transfers before becoming pregnant.

Step Four

Surrogates

Early during the pregnancy, the surrogate will be monitored by the IVF doctor. Once cleared around 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy, she will be released to the care of her OBGYN.

Step Five

IPs

This is the time for IPs to accompany their surrogate at any doctor visits. If possible, planning to attend one of the sonograms is a fantastic way to maximize your experience.

Surrogates

The OBGYN will continue to monitor the surrogate and the baby until delivery. The surrogate will attend scheduled check-ups and sonograms. When the baby is ready to arrive, the surrogate will get to the designated hospital to deliver her IPs long awaited little bundle of joy!