A gestational carrier, or surrogate mother, is a woman who carries and gives birth to a baby for another person or couple. Embryos are created using the intended parents' gametes (autologous IVF), donor eggs, donor sperm, or a combination of autologous and donor tissue through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Then, these embryos are inserted into the surrogate’s uterus, hopefully resulting in a successful pregnancy. The gestational carrier has no genetic relation to the baby.
A person or couple may consider using a gestational carrier if the intended mother:
Has no uterus
Has a structural issue that prevents the uterus from carrying a successful pregnancy
Has a medical condition that prevents her from safely carrying and delivering a child
Has a history of recurrent pregnancy loss
Has a history of multiple unexplained IVF failures
Additionally, gestational surrogacy is an option for intended male single parents and LGBTQ+ couples who cannot produce eggs or carry a pregnancy.
First, you'll choose a surrogacy agency who will help you find a gestational carrier to go on this journey with. At Advanced Fertility Center Chicago, our goal is to support you each step of the way. Our team will work closely alongside your surrogacy agency and Reproductive Law experts to ensure you obtain the necessary legal documentation to start treatment at our clinic. Once all legalities are in place, you can begin the IVF process.
Surrogacy may be recommended when carrying a pregnancy is not medically safe or possible. Common reasons include uterine factor infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, certain medical conditions, or prior cancer treatments. In some cases, surrogacy is also part of the family-building journey for male same-sex couples or single intended parents. Your fertility specialist can help you understand whether surrogacy is an appropriate option based on your medical history and goals.
Surrogacy success rates vary based on factors such as embryo quality, use of genetic testing, and the surrogate’s overall health. Because gestational carriers are carefully screened and the uterus is often healthy, success rates can be favorable compared to other fertility treatments. Your fertility specialist can discuss expected success rates based on your specific treatment plan.
Yes. Gestational surrogacy is legally recognized in Illinois, including the Chicago area. Illinois law provides a clear legal framework for surrogacy arrangements, helping establish intended parentage when specific requirements are met. While fertility clinics focus on the medical aspects of surrogacy, intended parents work with experienced reproductive attorneys to navigate legal steps and ensure all agreements are in place before treatment begins.
A fertility clinic oversees the medical care involved in surrogacy. This includes fertility testing for intended parents, IVF treatment, embryo creation and genetic testing (if pursued), medical screening of the surrogate in coordination with other professionals, and the embryo transfer itself. Clinics work alongside surrogacy agencies and reproductive attorneys, but do not manage matching, compensation, or legal contracts.
No. Fertility clinics do not recruit or match surrogates with intended parents. Matching is typically handled by a surrogacy agency or through an independent arrangement arranged by the intended parents. Once a match is established and legal and psychological steps are underway, the clinic becomes involved to manage the medical portion of the journey.
Before moving forward with embryo transfer, the surrogate must undergo comprehensive medical screening to confirm she is healthy and able to carry a pregnancy safely. This often includes a review of medical records, lab testing, uterine evaluation, and infectious disease screening. Your fertility care team conducts and coordinates these evaluations to support a safe pregnancy and the best possible outcome.
Surrogates become pregnant through in vitro fertilization (IVF). An embryo created in the fertility lab is transferred into the surrogate’s uterus during a carefully timed medical procedure. Before transfer, the surrogate undergoes medical screening and cycle preparation to help support implantation and a healthy pregnancy.
In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is not the biological mother of the child. The embryo transferred to the surrogate is created through IVF using an egg from an intended parent or an egg donor, along with sperm from an intended parent or sperm donor. The surrogate carries the pregnancy but has no genetic connection to the baby.
The egg used in surrogacy depends on the intended parents’ family-building plan. In some cases, the egg comes from one of the intended parents. In others, donor eggs are used. Your fertility care team helps guide egg-related medical decisions and manages the IVF process, including embryo creation and preparation for transfer.
Yes. Surrogacy can be combined with donor eggs, donor sperm, or both. This is common for same-sex male couples, single parents, or intended parents facing specific fertility challenges. Your fertility care team can guide you through donor-related medical considerations and manage the IVF process using donor gametes.
The timeline varies depending on factors such as embryo availability, completion of required medical and legal steps, and the surrogate’s cycle timing. From a medical standpoint, the process typically takes several months, including preparation for embryo transfer and early pregnancy monitoring. Your fertility care team can provide a more personalized timeline once your treatment plan is established.
After embryo transfer, your fertility care team closely monitors the surrogate during early pregnancy through bloodwork and ultrasounds. Once the pregnancy is stable, typically around the end of the first trimester, care is transitioned to an obstetric provider. Intended parents remain closely involved throughout the pregnancy, with coordination depending on the arrangements made with the surrogate and agency.
Your fertility care team supports you throughout surrogacy by providing medical expertise, clear communication, and continuity of care during the IVF and early pregnancy phases. While the clinic does not manage the emotional, legal, or logistical aspects of surrogacy, we work collaboratively with agencies and other professionals to help ensure the medical process is seamless and aligned with your goals.
Our fertility specialists are proud to offer a wide range of fertility care services in Illinois to meet every patient’s need, including gestational surrogacy. Contact Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago today for more information about our gestational carrier program or to schedule a consultation at one of our fertility clinics in Chicago, Downers Grove, Arlington Heights or Gurnee, IL.
