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| In-Vitro Fertilization |
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About a month before the stimulation medications begin the intended mom/egg donor and surrogate mom start birth control pills to put their cycle in sync with each other. After a few weeks on birth control pills you will begin Lupron or Synarel which prevents early ovulation. These medications prepare your body for the next phase of the IVF procedure. When the intended mom/egg donor has her retrieval after 10-12 days on stimulation medication the surrogate mom will then begin progesterone shots, vaginal suppositories, or pills, and estrogen pills, shots, or patches in order to prepare her body for the embryo. After the eggs are retrieved they are fertilized with the intended father or sperm donor’s sperm and grown for 3 or 5 days before transfer. The embryos are placed into the uterus or womb using a catheter (a hollow plastic tube). The catheter is designed to be small and flexible so it slips easily through the cervix. This is a minor and usually painless procedure that seldom requires sedation or anesthesia of any kind. Once you have your transfer you will now be in the two week wait (2WW). It is called this because within 2 weeks time you will know if you are pregnant. Many surrogate moms take home pregnancy tests to determine if they are pregnant before their blood draw. Anywhere from 9-14 days after transfer your reproductive endocrinologist (RE) will order a (HCG) Human chorionic gonadotropin or Beta test to see if you are pregnant. If your (HCG) is over 5 you are considered pregnant. You will continue to be on progesterone and estrogen for another 8-12 weeks depending on your reproductive endocrinologist (RE). Once you are taken off your progesterone and estrogen you are then released to see your normal Obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN) for your pregnancy care. |