When to Use a Surrogate

For some couples or individuals, surrogacy may be the only option to have their own children. Reproductive endocrinologists like Dr. Arnold may recommend surrogacy in particular cases, especially when pregnancy may add risks to a woman’s health. When a surrogate in necessary to achieve pregnancy, the surrogate mother undergoes a very thorough screening and a strict medical clearance process. She agrees to become pregnant, carry the pregnancy to term and give birth for another person or persons, known as intended parents.

6 medical reasons to use a surrogate

The decision to use a surrogate often comes after a long and unsuccessful journey with infertility. It could be the result of health or genetic conditions that may be too high risk for the woman to carry a child or surrogacy may be the only method to conceive in cases such as MKRH or same-sex male couples. Here are seven medical reasons in which intended parents should consider to utilize surrogate:

• Pre-existing medical conditions – Severe medical conditions like heart disease, kidney disease or severe diabetes make pregnancy too high risk. Other conditions such as a history of breast cancer or preeclampsia may also add risk factors for a woman to carry a healthy pregnancy to term.
• Complicated past pregnancies – Women who experience a prior complicated or high-risk pregnancy may consider using a surrogate to avoid any potential life-threatening complications of subsequent pregnancies.
• History of miscarriages – Women who have a history of miscarriages may also use a surrogate. In this and most other cases, a gestational surrogate is used as long as the intended mother’s eggs are healthy.
• Uterine scarring – Uterine scarring can make it impossible to carry a baby to term. The scarring may be the result of fibroids, a past surgery or build up of scar tissue inside the uterus.
• Absence of a uterus or vagina – Some women are born without a functioning uterus, while others no longer have one due to hysterectomy. A congenital absence of the uterus and or vagina may be another reason women decide to use a surrogate.
• Same-sex couples – Surrogacy is a great option for same-sex couples that wish to have at least one parent biologically related to the baby.

If you are considering surrogacy in Southern California, please call the California Center for Reproductive Medicine at 760-274-2000.