Gestational Surrogacy Medications
As a surrogate, you are making a profound impact on a person’s life by carrying a child for someone who otherwise would not be able to have their own children. Because you share no DNA with, and are not genetically related to, the baby you are carrying, a surrogate pregnancy is different from your own pregnancy.
So, how do you get pregnant as a surrogate? And, why do you need to take medicines? First, a surrogate becomes pregnant through In Vitro Fertilization, or IVF, which means fertilization “outside the body.” Your intended parents, assisted by their reproductive endocrinologist, will create embryos in a lab. One embryo will be selected to be transferred to you. Meanwhile, your body will be prepared to receive that embryo, using medications that are most appropriate for you, and then the embryo will be transferred to your uterus. When a pregnancy is confirmed, you will be transferred to your obstetrician for your maternity care.
As part of our All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Package, ConceiveAbilities provides expert guidance to prepare you for each step that leads to the embryo transfer and beyond. We know this may be your first experience with IVF and, along with support for the legal and insurance aspects of the process, we make you a Life Simplicity Promise™ which includes:
Expert Guidance Throughout Your Journey
We have 25 years of experience navigating the surrogacy process. You will have a dedicated Match Manager, mental health professionals, and expert surrogate nurses, to guide you throughout your journey.
A Step-by-Step IVF Calendar
Once you are medically cleared, your fertility clinic will provide you with a calendar to guide the scheduling of the activities associated with your embryo transfer. We will help you understand, prepare for, and manage that calendar.
Clinic Coordination
Our staff will coordinate with the physicians, nurses, and staff at fertility clinics to ensure your path through the Surrogate IVF process is as smooth as possible.
Travel Assistance
Professional arrangements, for you and a companion, for your medical visits, if your intended parents’ fertility clinic is out-of-state and requires one or two trips.
Learn more about surrogacy medications
And, why do you need to take medicines as part of this process? Dr. Mark Leondires, founder of Illume Fertility, explains the role of medication in the embryo transfer process. While your medications will be selected just for you, here is one example protocol for a surrogate pregnancy.
Birth Control Pills
May be taken for approximately two months prior to embryo transfer.
Birth Control Pills
Use
Birth control pills prevent conception (of a biological child) and regulate menstrual cycle prior to an embryo transfer.
Possible Side Effects
Vary depending on the type of pill. Spotting, nausea, weight gain, mood changes.
Lupron
Starts approximately 1 month prior to embryo transfer for approximately 2-3 weeks.
Lupron
Use
Lupron prevents the usual hormone exchange that causes follicle production and ovulation by suppressing pituitary stimulation to the ovaries.
Possible Side Effects
Headache, fatigue, hot flashes.
Low Dose Aspirin
Started approximately 1 month prior to embryo transfer and up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Low Dose Aspirin
Use
Aspirin assists with cycle stimulation and impending embryonic implantation.
Possible Side Effects
Upset stomach, heartburn, easy bruising, bleeding.
Vivelle Patches (estradiol)
Applied a few weeks before embryo transfer and up to 12-weeks of pregnancy.
Vivelle Patches (estradiol)
Use
Estrogen is a hormone that helps grow the lining of the uterus, which maintains an early pregnancy. Estradiol can be administered via cream, injection, oral tablet, patch, or suppository.
Possible Side Effects
Skin redness, irritation or rash, nausea, fluid retention.
Estrace (estradiol)
Started a few weeks before embryo transfer and up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Estrace (estradiol)
Use
Estrogen is a hormone that helps grow the lining of the uterus which maintains an early pregnancy. Estradiol can be administered via cream, injection, oral tablet, patch, or suppository.
Possible Side Effects
Bloating, mild nausea, breast tenderness.
Progesterone / Prometrium / Endometrin
Started approximately 1 week prior to embryo transfer and up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Progesterone or Prometrium or Endometrin
Use
Progesterone is the hormone necessary for the preparation of the uterine lining, thickening it to help ensure the implantation of the embryo and the maintenance of early pregnancy. Like estrogen, progesterone can be taken in various forms, such as capsules (Prometrium) and vaginal inserts (Endometrin).
Possible Side Effects
Breast tenderness, injection site tenderness, vaginal discharge, dizziness.
Medrol
Take for 3-4 days around the time of embryo transfer.
Medrol
Use
Medrol is a low-dose steroid pill to suppress the autoimmune system from interfering with embryo implantation.
Possible Side Effects
None
Doxycycline/Tetracycline
Started a few days prior to embryo transfer, for approx. 5 days.
Doxycycline or tetracycline
Use
Doxycycline and tetracycline are pre-cycle antibiotics that prevent any possible low-grade pelvic infection.
Possible Side Effects
None, but varies per individual.
Disclaimer: This is one example of a protocol for surrogacy medications; however, your journey may or may not follow this example, as every surrogate’s body is different and may react differently to specific medications. The IVF clinic working with you and your intended parents, once you are matched, will determine the protocol best for you and a successful pregnancy.
ConceiveAbilities® would like to acknowledge Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Angeline Beltsos M.D., for her care and consideration in providing this information on surrogate medications. Dr. Beltsos has served as the Medical Director of Fertility Centers of Illinois, SC IVF-River North.
Surrogacy Medication FAQs
Do Surrogates Have To Take Hormones?
Though every surrogate is different, hormones are generally required, as they help prepare for the IVF process and facilitate a healthy pregnancy.
Will Surrogates Always Experience Side Effects From Medication?
Some surrogates will experience all of the possible side effects we mentioned above in the example protocol, while others won’t experience any at all. The intensity of these side effects will also vary. If you have any concerns about specific side effects from surrogacy medications, ConceiveAbilities and your IVF clinic will work with you to address them.
Printable Resources for you and your family as you learn about surrogacy together:
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