Surrogacy & Gestational Center

Gestational Surrogacy in NYC

At NYU Langone Fertility Center (NYLFC), our mission is to support individuals and couples in achieving their goal of becoming parents. Since our founding, NYLFC has been at the forefront of changes, both social and technological, that have made it possible for everyone — people of all sexual orientations, partnered or single  — to pursue parenthood. 

Building a family via gestational carrier (surrogate) introduces many variables, including the donor gamete selection process (if using donor eggs or sperm), legal and financial agreements, and the concept of future disclosure to offspring. Our dedicated team, including physicians, donor tissue specialists, genetic counselors, psychologists, nurses, coordinators, and medical and administrative assistants, are here to support you through every step of your journey to becoming a parent.  

What Is Gestational Surrogacy?
A gestational surrogate is someone who agrees to become pregnant by receiving an embryo transfer from an individual or couple. The embryo may be created using the individual's or couple's own egg and sperm (autologous IVF), donor eggs, donor sperm, or a combination of both.

When Is Surrogacy Recommended?
Before starting any fertility treatment, our fertility specialists will review your medical history and determine a customized treatment plan. If you are unable to carry a pregnancy for any reason, NYULFC can help you find a gestational surrogate. 

We may recommend gestational surrogacy for individuals or couples who:

• Do not have a uterus
• Experience uterine problems
• Have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss
• Suffer from certain medical conditions that inhibit carrying a pregnancy to term

Compensated vs. Altruistic Surrogacy
In a compensated gestational surrogacy cycle, the gestational surrogate receives financial compensation in exchange for carrying the pregnancy. In an altruistic gestational surrogacy cycle, the surrogate mother does not receive any financial compensation in exchange for carrying the pregnancy.

Our Surrogacy Process
Here is a step by step guide to NYULFC's compensated gestational surrogacy cycle: 

1. New patient consultation: During this appointment, you’ll collaborate with your physician to create an embryo development plan. Keep in mind, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and your care team will help you decide on the best option for your family.

2. Meet our team: Our team is prepared to support and guide you through your journey. You'll work with a family psychiatrist, patient coordinator, billing coordinator, and genetic counselor. We'll help you set up phone or in-person appointments with each team member.

3. Intended parent medical screening: Before any embryo transfer into a gestational carrier, the FDA requires extensive screening for both the sperm and egg source, involving a questionnaire, physical exam, and blood tests.

4. Embryo creation: The embryo creation process looks different for each family. If you’re using your own eggs and sperm, you’ll undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) to create embryos. Once your embryos are created, we'll perform preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to identify the best embryo for transfer to your gestational carrier.

5. Identifying your gestational carrier: Choosing a gestational carrier is a deeply personal decision. Take your time to thoroughly research your options. We are not affiliated with any of the gestational carrier agencies listed and do not endorse any one agency over another. A legal contract between all parties involved in a gestational carrier cycle is required.

6. Gestational carrier medical screening: The surrogate must undergo a physical examination conducted by an NYULFC physician, in addition to the physical health and psychology screenings carried out by the surrogacy agency. This examination involves a consultation with a physician, a physical health assessment, and an ultrasound.

7. Cycle preparation and calendar review: Your coordinator will create a schedule for the frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle. They'll ensure you have all the required documents (consent forms, blood test results, insurance, and legal contracts) to proceed with the embryo transfer to your gestational carrier.

8. Embryo transfer: On the morning of your scheduled transfer, the selected embryo will be thawed by an embryologist. The embryo transfer will be performed at NYULFC by one of our physicians, and your gestational carrier will be able to return home the same day with no required anesthesia.

9. Pregnancy test: Your gestational carrier will undergo a blood test nine days post-embryo transfer to confirm the success of the transfer. If the test is positive, she will repeat it one week later later to confirm the pregnancy. At seven weeks, she will have an OB ultrasound, and at nine weeks, she will have another ultrasound. At that time, you will graduate from NYULFC. 

Start Your Gestational Surrogacy Journey at NYULFC Today

Gestational surrogacy is an exciting and complex journey with many moving parts. At NYU Langone Fertility Center, our experienced and compassionate team can help you navigate the surrogacy process and build the family of your dreams. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.