Procedure for undergoing a gestational carrier cycle at IVF1

Gestational Carrier Criteria:
  • 21 years of age or older
  • Must have given birth previously
  • Must complete psychological evaluation / her spouse or partner needs this too
  • Obtain legal counsel  (Must use different lawyer than intended parent / parents use)
  • If she is married her husband must sign legal contract as well
  • Medical evaluation
    • Infectious disease screening (Abnormal results may result in not being able to be a gestational carrier)
    • Uterine cavity assessment (May still be able to serve as a carrier after surgical correction of uterine abnormalities. Not all abnormalities can be corrected)
    • Vitamin D level (may still be a carrier after correction of Vitamin D Deficiency)
    • TSH level (may still be a carrier after medical treatment of hypothyroidism and some (not all) treatments for hyperthyroidism)
    • Diabetes assessment (HbA1c level must be less than 6.0 to be a gestational carrier)
    • Blood pressure assessment (must have normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure to be a carrier)
    • Calculation of BMI. (BMI > 29.9 are not eligible to be a gestational carrier)
    • The presence of other chronic illnesses may result in disqualification to be a gestational carrier
    • In addition to the above, all gestational carriers must receive a clearance from a board certified OB / Gyne
  • She must have health insurance that covers her through 8 weeks after delivery  (The intended parents must purchase this for the gestational carrier if she does not have it)
Intended Parent or Parents Criteria:
    • He, She or They must contribute at least one of the gametes that create the pregnancy that will be carried.
      • This means the law doesn’t cover using
        • Donor embryo with a gestational carrier
        • Donor  egg combined with donor sperm with a gestational carrier
    • He, She or They must have a medical need for a carrier
    • He, She or They must complete a mental health evaluation
    • He, She or They must have legal representation (separate from the carrier)

We recommend the following sequence for intended parents and gestational carriers
    • Step 1 Intended parents – Schedule a consultation with Dr. Morris without the gestational carrier
      • At the direction of Dr. Morris, the intended parents may complete their necessary testing. Note: Per FDA regulations, each partner who contributes gametes is considered a “donor” and they must complete testing to minimize the risk of infectious disease transmission. A couple who “fails” this testing may not be allowed to use a gestational carrier. Testing includes:
        • Completion of questionairres by both partners
        • Physical exams for both partners
        • Blood testing for both partners
        • Urine or cervical cultures for the female
      • A second set of questionairres and blood / urine tests will be completed after medication treatment has begun. A couple who fails the second tests may not be allowed to use a gestational carrier.
  • Step 2 Intended parents – Identify a potential gestational carrier according to the criteria listed above.
    • The carrier should have her Obstetrician / Gynecologist complete the “Obstetric Certification Letter ” and forward it to us. This letter states that her doctor has reviewed her medical history, performed an examination and has determined that she is an acceptable candidate to become pregnant.
  • Step 3 Intended parents and Gestational carrier – Retain the services of an attorney who specializes in reproductive law
  • Step 4 Intended parents and Gestational carrier – Complete the mental health evaluation
  • Step 5 Intended parents and Gestational carrier – Finalize and execute the carrier contract
  • Step 6 Intended parents and Gestational carrier – Direct the attorneys for each side to complete and send the “Attorney Certification Letter ” stating that the carrier contract has been executed in accordance with Illinois state law.
  • Step 7 Gestational carrier – Schedule an consultation appointment with our office. Be sure to specify that you are a gestational carrier and tell us the name of the intended parents.
    • Potential carriers will not be allowed to schedule an appointment until the following has been received by our office:
      • Attorney certification letter for both parties
      • Mental health certification letter for both parties
      • Obstetric certification letter for the gestational carrier
  • Step 8 Gestational carrier – complete testing as directed by our office. This may include:
  • Step 9 Intended parents and Gestational carrier – Sign consent forms for the gestational carrier cycle
  • Step 10 Intended parents and Gestational carrier – Medication treatment may begin