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Inside the Gestational Carrier Program at Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago

Authored and medically reviewed by Dr. Eli Reshef

Dr. Eli Reshef is a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist who sees patients in Chicago and the greater Chicagoland area.

For many intended parents, the path to parenthood is not linear. Whether due to medical, genetic, or personal circumstances, some families turn to gestational surrogacy—a process that offers hope, clarity, and a chance to build the family they’ve dreamed of. At Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago (AFCC), our gestational carrier program is designed to support this journey with precision, compassion, and ethical care.

What Is a Gestational Carrier?

A gestational carrier is a person who carries a pregnancy for intended parents but has no genetic connection to the child. The embryo is created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) using the intended parents’ or donors’ genetic material (sperm and/or eggs) and then transferred to the carrier’s uterus.

This option is often chosen by:

• Individuals with uterine factor infertility or who’ve undergone hysterectomy

• Those with medical conditions that make pregnancy unsafe

• LGBTQ+ couples and single men

• Families who’ve experienced recurrent pregnancy loss or failed IVF cycles

AFCC’s protocols ensure that gestational carriers undergo comprehensive medical, psychological, and legal screening before being matched with intended parents.

Why Intended Parents in Chicago Choose This Path

Illinois is one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the U.S., offering clear legal protections for both carriers and intended parents. AFCC’s four locations in the greater Chicagoland area provide access to:

• High IVF success rates that have consistently surpassed the national average

• CAP-accredited labs and advanced genetic screening

• A diverse pool of donors and carriers

• Legal frameworks that support parentage rights from birth

• An experienced gestational surrogacy team

AFCC’s Role: Screening, Matching, and Medical Support

1. Rigorous Screening

At AFCC, the integrity and safety of our gestational carrier program begin with a comprehensive screening process for all participants—intended parents, donors (if applicable), and gestational carriers. This ensures that everyone involved is medically eligible, emotionally prepared, and legally protected throughout the journey.

Genetic Risk Assessments

AFCC provides a detailed genetic risk assessment report for each intended parent. This includes expanded carrier screening, which evaluates hundreds of genetic conditions to identify potential risks that could affect embryo health or pregnancy outcomes.

Psychological Evaluations

Gestational carriers and intended parents undergo psychological evaluations to assess emotional readiness, mental health stability, and understanding of the surrogacy process. These evaluations are conducted by licensed professionals and help ensure that all parties are entering the arrangement with informed consent and realistic expectations.

Infectious Disease Testing

Federal and clinic-specific guidelines require thorough infectious disease screening for all parties. This includes testing for HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, and other transmissible conditions. These tests are typically performed within 30 days of embryo transfer or egg retrieval to ensure compliance with FDA and ASRM standards.

Medical Eligibility and Pre-Cycle Workup

Before any treatment begins, AFCC conducts a pre-cycle medical evaluation that includes hormone panels, ultrasounds, and uterine evaluations for gestational carriers. Intended parents may also undergo fertility testing such as AMH levels, thyroid tests, and semen analysis to confirm their reproductive health.

Legal Consent and Identity Disclosure

All participants must sign legal consent forms. AFCC collaborates with reproductive law experts to ensure that contracts are enforceable under Illinois law, which is known for its favorable surrogacy statutes. These agreements protect the rights and responsibilities of both carriers and intended parents.

Financial Transparency

While not part of the medical screening, AFCC ensures that all parties understand the financial obligations involved. Costs for screening and pre-cycle evaluations are outlined clearly by our team of financial counselors, and participants are informed of any exclusions from bundled plans or guarantees.

2. Thoughtful Matching

AFCC collaborates with trusted surrogacy agencies and legal experts to match intended parents with carriers who align with their values and expectations. Legal agreements are reviewed and signed before any medical procedures begin, and AFCC provides non-identifying donor profiles and medical histories to help guide decisions.

3. Comprehensive Medical Oversight

At the heart of our gestational carrier program is a meticulous and compassionate medical process designed to optimize outcomes for both intended parents and gestational carriers. Our fertility specialists oversee every step of the IVF journey with precision, transparency, and care.

Initial Consultation and Personalized Planning

The process begins with a thorough consultation where our fertility specialists review medical histories, discuss patient goals, and develop a personalized treatment plan. This includes selecting the most appropriate protocols for egg retrieval, embryo creation, and transfer.

Egg Retrieval and Fertilization

Once the intended parent or donor undergoes ovarian stimulation, eggs are retrieved in a controlled outpatient procedure. These eggs are then fertilized using sperm from the intended parent or donor in one of our IVF labs.

Embryo Creation and Genetic Testing

Embryos are cultured and monitored for several days. AFCC offers Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) to screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities, increasing the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and reducing the risk of miscarriage. This step is especially valuable for intended parents with known genetic risks or those seeking to transfer the most viable embryos.

Embryo Transfer and Early Pregnancy Monitoring

Once a gestational carrier is medically cleared, a selected embryo is transferred into her uterus. Our team closely monitors hormone levels and performs ultrasounds to confirm implantation and early pregnancy progression. Care continues throughout the surrogate’s first trimester, ensuring her well-being and the pregnancy’s stability.

Technology and Teamwork

Our success is driven by our use of state-of-the-art technology and a collaborative team of reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists, nurses, and genetic counselors. We ensure that every medical decision is informed, ethical, and aligned with the best interests of both the intended parents and the gestational carrier.

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

Whether you're just starting to explore gestational surrogacy or you're ready to take the next step, the team at Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago is here to guide you with expertise, compassion, and integrity.

Schedule a consultation today to learn more about our gestational carrier program and how AFCC can help you build the family you've been dreaming of.

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