Gestational Carrier Services at UH Fertility Center

Medical Screening and Evaluation

Gestational carrier screening is a process to help everyone involved in a gestational carrier journey to stay medically safe, emotionally supported and informed. These evaluations are individualized to your situation and coordinated across your entire care team. Your UH fertility team will work with you to review several areas as part of the screening process:

Medical evaluation:

Assessment of health history and current medical status for the intended parent(s) and the gestational carrier to identify any medical considerations that should be addressed before moving forward.

Psychological or emotional readiness:

Conversations and assessments to explore emotional preparedness, expectations and concerns, to ensure all parties feel ready to move forward.

Legal and care coordination considerations:

Discussion of general information regarding the applicable legal framework, including legal agreements and how care will be coordinated across fertility and obstetric providers, to ensure clear communication and shared goals. Intended parent(s) and gestational carriers are encouraged to retain independent legal counsel. Before moving forward with contracts, patients should ensure that the gestational carrier is cleared by the fertility center.

Genetic or fertility testing:

Review of whether genetic carrier screening or preimplantation genetic testing for certain genetic conditions may be beneficial based on your individual circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gestational Carrier Services

How long does the entire gestational carrier journey take from consultation to birth?

The overall gestational carrier process can span an extended period of time. How long it takes depends on factors such as carrier selection and availability, medical considerations, legal requirements and individual circumstances. Some journeys move more quickly, while others take longer. At minimum, the process for a gestational carrier will take multiple months to complete; very rarely, it can take over a year. Your care team will discuss realistic timelines during your consultation and help you understand what to expect based on your specific situation.

What happens if the gestational carrier miscarries or has complications?

Miscarriage and complications can happen with any pregnancy. If a problem should occur, your care team will discuss next steps with you. Legal documents (prepared by your independent legal counsel) typically outline how decisions are made in these situations and what rights and responsibilities apply. Your UH team will encourage all parties to address these considerations with their respective legal counsel and in writing before embarking on pregnancy so that everyone understands and is agreeable to the plan.

Do I need to be in a relationship to use gestational carrier services?

No. Gestational carrier services are available to both individuals and couples. Single individuals, whether by choice or circumstance, can pursue biological parenthood through gestational carrier services. Your care team will work with you based on your individual situation and goals.

Can I choose characteristics of the gestational carrier?

If you are working with a known carrier (someone you already know), you will be familiar with that person’s characteristics and can go through the screening process to make sure they are medically and psychologically suitable to move forward. This is a similar process for gestational carriers identified through social media and other non-agency avenues.

If you find a gestational carrier through an agency, you may have the opportunity to review profiles and meet potential carriers. Agencies have already reviewed carriers to select those that are medically and psychologically reviewed. Your care team can discuss what information is typically available and how the matching process works. It is important to note that not all carriers who are accepted at the agency level will be approved for matching at our center; we will conduct our own review even when an agency is involved.

How do I select a gestational carrier agency?

If you choose to use a gestational carrier agency, we can provide a list of agencies if requested. We do not have preferred status with any agency and will work with any agency that a patient selects. While we are not involved in agency selection, we are involved with making sure an individual carrier is a good match and a suitable candidate.

What legal agreements do I need, and who pays for legal fees?

Legal agreements outline the rights, responsibilities and expectations of all parties involved in a gestational carrier arrangement. An independent attorney experienced in family law and third-party reproduction will help draft these documents.

The intended parent(s) and carrier require independent legal representation. Costs for legal representation are typically paid by the intended parent(s), though this is something you can discuss with your attorney. Your UH team can provide general information regarding the legal steps typically involved in gestational carrier arrangements and help connect you with external resources, but is not involved in the legal discussions between the intended parent(s), carrier and their respective legal counsel.