Surrogate Mothers Online Q & A: I am the surrogate for a very wonderful couple and we plan on doing the transfer next month. What I am wondering is because I am the GS will I have to take meds? If so what? I was also wondering what the usual amount of embroys to be transferred is? The eggs we will be using will be frozen, also is there less of a sucsess rate with frozen embryos?

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Surrogate Mothers Online Q & A

Q & A: Medical Issues - Gestational Surrogacy

Topics may include the risks involved in surrogacy, side effects from meds, questions about protocol, etc.

9. I am the surrogate for a very wonderful couple and we plan on doing the transfer next month. What I am wondering is because I am the GS will I have to take meds? If so what? I was also wondering what the usual amount of embroys to be transferred is? The eggs we will be using will be frozen, also is there less of a sucsess rate with frozen embryos? - Anonymous in Canada - Top

I am surprised that you would be doing a transfer next month if you have never seen their doctor. If you HAVE seen their doctor, then I'm surprised that the meds, etc. haven't been discussed with you. As a GS, you almost always have to be on meds (unless the embryos are transferred during your "natural" cycle -- most doctors will not do that though). You will usually have to be on Lupron (daily shots, but VERY tiny needles) to supress your own egg producing hormones. Then on some form of estrogen (patches, pills) to build your lining. Once the embryos are transferred, you usually need to continue estrogen and take progesterone as well. Most doctors are using progesterone gel now instead of the shots. If you are pregnant from this transfer, you need to continue taking estrogen and progesterone daily until about the 12th week of pregnancy at which point the placenta takes over their production and they wean you off.

The number of embryos transferred depends on their quality. But, it's best not to transfer any more than you are willing to carry if they should ALL take. Frozen embryo transfers do have a lower success rate than fresh, but I've known MANY women who are successful with frozen cycles.

Linda P
Mom to GS/DE twins - Updated: January 17, 2000
Topics may include the risks involved in surrogacy, side effects from meds, questions about protocol, etc.

9. I am the surrogate for a very wonderful couple and we plan on doing the transfer next month. What I am wondering is because I am the GS will I have to take meds? If so what? I was also wondering what the usual amount of embroys to be transferred is? The eggs we will be using will be frozen, also is there less of a sucsess rate with frozen embryos? - Anonymous in Canada - Top: I am surprised that you would be doing a transfer next month if you have never seen their doctor. If you HAVE seen their doctor, then I'm surprised that the meds, etc. haven't been discussed with you. As a GS, you almost always have to be on meds (unless the embryos are transferred during your "natural" cycle -- most doctors will not do that though). You will usually have to be on Lupron (daily shots, but VERY tiny needles) to supress your own egg producing hormones. Then on some form of estrogen (patches, pills) to build your lining. Once the embryos are transferred, you usually need to continue estrogen and take progesterone as well. Most doctors are using progesterone gel now instead of the shots. If you are pregnant from this transfer, you need to continue taking estrogen and progesterone daily until about the 12th week of pregnancy at which point the placenta takes over their production and they wean you off.

The number of embryos transferred depends on their quality. But, it's best not to transfer any more than you are willing to carry if they should ALL take. Frozen embryo transfers do have a lower success rate than fresh, but I've known MANY women who are successful with frozen cycles.

Linda P
Mom to GS/DE twins - Updated: January 17, 2000

Unless stated otherwise, all responses in the SMO Q&A are courtesy of one or more of the following hosts:

Sherry - Experienced gestational surrogate currently working on her 2nd surrogacy arrangement

Linda - New Mommy to twins born via gestational surrogacy and egg donation

Jennifer S. - Experienced AI surrogate

Lynn - New Mommy to a daughter born via traditional surrogacy

Tracie - 5 time egg donor (triplets, 2 sets of twins and 2 singletons) and 3 time surrogate (2-AI, 1-IVF).

Lisa - Experienced egg donor and previous gestational surrogate currently working on her 2nd surrogacy arrangement (Lisa was our former ED host, prior to July 1999.)
Disclaimer: Responses from SMO Q&A Hosts do not necessarily represent the opinions and ideas of SMO. Neither the Q&A hosts nor SMO guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the responses given here. As such, neither SMO nor the Q&A hosts are responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. Neither SMO nor the Q&A hosts shall be liable or responsible to any person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas contained, suggested, or referenced in these responses.

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