Surrogacy Pregnancy Like Any Other
Most first time surrogates question how the pregnancy will be different from the pregnancies they have already achieved naturally.
The first trimester of a surrogacy pregnancy is much different from conceiving naturally. The surrogate is required to inject hormones to simulate the natural hormones that are created during a natural cycle. Depending on the Physician's protocol the surrogate may be required to inject Lupron to put her ovaries to sleep (this is eliminate the concern about the surrogate getting pregnant on her own). Then when the Intended Mother or Egg Donor begins to produce eggs, the surrogate will be given Estrogen. The estrogen will thicken the liner of the uterus. The day the Intended Mother or Egg Donor has her retrieval the surrogate will begin to inject Progesterone. This is the hormone that tells the woman's body that she is pregnant. The Estrogen and Progesterone are injected throughout the first trimester of the pregnancy.
Once the surrogate reaches her 12th week of pregnancy, her body knows to make these hormones on its own. The injections can stop. This is celebrated by most surrogates.
As for the development of the baby, there are no side effects behind artificial means of conception. The fact that an in-vitro pregnancy begins in a laboratory does not affect the way the fetus matures inside the womb.
Once conception and implementation are achieved, the rest of the development throughout the pregnancy are similar to a normal pregnancy term.
Written By:
Tracy Armato, Case Manager
858-748-4244
Would the weight of the baby at birth (or twins) in this case, be the same as if the natural mother (who is a much smaller woman) were carrying them?
What determines this?
Thanks
Arlene