Gestational Surrogacy
The term "gestational surrogacy" refers to a treatment process, in which another woman ("gestational surrogate") undergoes the embryo transfer process, and then carries the pregnancy to term. The intended parents are involved with the pregnancy, are typically present at the birth, and take over parenting responsibilities immediately thereafter.
From a medical perspective, gestational surrogacy is identical to egg donation. The only notable difference is that the gestational surrogate becomes the "recipient". Gestational surrogacy may be achieved with the intended mother's eggs, or with an egg donor. Analogously, the sperm can come from the intended father or from a sperm donor. Other in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures (such as ICSI or PGD) can be combined with gestational surrogacy.
USC Fertility works with a number of reputable surrogacy agencies and will be happy to refer you to any one of them:
Donor Egg & Surrogacy Agencies
Since the medical process is identical to egg donation, please see Egg Donation: Basic Principles and Egg Donation: Cycle Details for more detailed information about gestational surrogacy. If you live outside the Los Angeles area, read our information for Out-of-State and International Patients.