Surrogate Mothers Online Q & A: I have been looking for an answer to this question for about three weeks, now. I am a traditional surrogate. I have had three failed AIs and everytime my doctor says my lining is perfect, my follicles are perfect, everything is perfect. But nothing ever happens. So, the IF had a chromosomal test done on the sperm, and everything is fine w/ him. Now, we are attempting to do an IVF w/ my natural cycle. My question is: how does this work? what will happen? does it hurt? will I be on bedrest? I will have to drive three hours to my doctor in KY, and so will I need to stay there for a certain amount of time? Please help!!

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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.

2. I have been looking for an answer to this question for about three weeks, now. I am a traditional surrogate. I have had three failed AIs and everytime my doctor says my lining is perfect, my follicles are perfect, everything is perfect. But nothing ever happens. So, the IF had a chromosomal test done on the sperm, and everything is fine w/ him. Now, we are attempting to do an IVF w/ my natural cycle. My question is: how does this work? what will happen? does it hurt? will I be on bedrest? I will have to drive three hours to my doctor in KY, and so will I need to stay there for a certain amount of time? Please help!! - Nicole - Top

Nicole,

Are you saying you will have your egg(s) retrieved on a natural cycle (no hormones), fertilized and replaced into your uterus? I was unaware that this was done. Usually with IVF, because of the cost involved, injectible
hormones are used to make your body produce several eggs at once. They are removed in a minor surgical procedure which you are usually anethetized for and therefore don't feel. They are then fertilized by the father's sperm
and incubated for 2-5 days before 2 or 3 are placed back in the uterus. The egg removal and embryo transfer are fairly painless procedures -- probably no worse than a pap smear. IVF usually requires 2-3 days bedrest after the embryo transfer. It also usually requires continuing hormone shots until the 12th week of pregnancy.

Linda
MomAtLast@surromomsonline.com - Updated: March 14, 2000
Topics may include the risks involved in surrogacy, side effects from meds, questions about protocol, etc.

2. I have been looking for an answer to this question for about three weeks, now. I am a traditional surrogate. I have had three failed AIs and everytime my doctor says my lining is perfect, my follicles are perfect, everything is perfect. But nothing ever happens. So, the IF had a chromosomal test done on the sperm, and everything is fine w/ him. Now, we are attempting to do an IVF w/ my natural cycle. My question is: how does this work? what will happen? does it hurt? will I be on bedrest? I will have to drive three hours to my doctor in KY, and so will I need to stay there for a certain amount of time? Please help!! - Nicole - Top: Nicole,

Are you saying you will have your egg(s) retrieved on a natural cycle (no hormones), fertilized and replaced into your uterus? I was unaware that this was done. Usually with IVF, because of the cost involved, injectible
hormones are used to make your body produce several eggs at once. They are removed in a minor surgical procedure which you are usually anethetized for and therefore don't feel. They are then fertilized by the father's sperm
and incubated for 2-5 days before 2 or 3 are placed back in the uterus. The egg removal and embryo transfer are fairly painless procedures -- probably no worse than a pap smear. IVF usually requires 2-3 days bedrest after the embryo transfer. It also usually requires continuing hormone shots until the 12th week of pregnancy.

Linda
MomAtLast@surromomsonline.com - Updated: March 14, 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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