Third Party Reproductive & Parenting Options

Gestational surrogacy is a service where a woman, known as a gestational surrogate, carries a pregnancy for individuals or couples who cannot do so themselves due to physiological or medical reasons. This process involves creating embryos through in vitro fertilization (IVF) using the intended parent’s genetic material, which is then implanted in the surrogate’s uterus. The surrogate provides a nurturing environment for the fetus but does not contribute genetically to the child. This option is often considered by women who lack a uterus capable of sustaining a pregnancy or those who face health risks that make pregnancy unsafe. The process requires careful coordination with IVF clinics and legal professionals to ensure all parties’ rights and responsibilities are clearly defined.

Gestational surrogacy is suitable for individuals or couples who face challenges in carrying a pregnancy due to medical conditions or anatomical limitations. During the surrogacy process, intended parents can expect thorough medical and psychological evaluations, legal consultations, and ongoing support to address any concerns. After the birth, the intended parents assume custody of the child, having established legal agreements beforehand. The probability of achieving pregnancy through gestational surrogacy can vary, but advances in IVF technology have improved success rates. For those interested in exploring this option, consider booking an appointment with Sher Fertility Solutions to discuss your specific needs and begin your journey.

Why Families Choose Gestational Surrogacy

Medical Conditions That May Require Surrogacy

Some women face significant health issues that make it unsafe for them to carry a pregnancy. These conditions can include severe heart disease, kidney disease, or autoimmune disorders that could be exacerbated by pregnancy. Additionally, some women may have a history of pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, which could pose serious risks to both the mother and the baby in future pregnancies. In such cases, medical professionals may advise against carrying a pregnancy to protect the health and well-being of the woman.

Anatomical Challenges & Fertility Complications

Certain physical conditions can prevent a woman from successfully carrying a pregnancy to term. These may include uterine abnormalities like fibroids, a bicornuate uterus, or cervical insufficiency, which can lead to recurrent miscarriages or preterm births. Structural issues within the reproductive system can make it difficult or impossible for an embryo to implant or for a fetus to develop properly. In these situations, alternative reproductive options may be considered to achieve a successful pregnancy.

Genetic Parenthood Through IVF Surrogacy

For intended parents who wish to have a child genetically related to them, using assisted reproductive technologies can be a viable option. Through techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), genetic material from both parents can be combined to create an embryo. This embryo can then be implanted into a surrogate, allowing the child to be genetically related to the intended parents while the surrogate carries the pregnancy. This approach is often chosen by couples facing infertility challenges, same-sex couples, or individuals with medical conditions that prevent them from carrying a pregnancy themselves.

Understanding the Surrogacy Process

1. Initial Consultation: Meet with fertility specialists to discuss options.
2. Medical Evaluation: Undergo assessments to ensure health and readiness.
3. Legal Agreements: Establish legal contracts to protect all parties involved.
4. Embryo Creation: Use IVF to create embryos from the intended parent’s genetic material.
5. Surrogate Selection: Choose a suitable surrogate through an agency.
6. Embryo Transfer: Implant the embryo into the surrogate’s uterus.
7. Pregnancy Monitoring: Regular check-ups to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
8. Birth and Custody: Intended parents take custody of the child after birth.

Gestational Surrogacy & IVF Support Services

Sher Fertility Solutions is renowned for its dedicated and personalized approach to gestational surrogacy. The clinic prides itself on offering a wide range of services that cater to the unique needs of each client, ensuring that every step of the surrogacy journey is handled with care and expertise.

Comprehensive Support for Intended Parents

From the very first consultation, Sher Fertility Solutions provides comprehensive support to intended parents. The team of experienced professionals is committed to understanding the specific desires and concerns of each client, creating a tailored plan that aligns with their goals.

Expert Legal & Medical Guidance for Surrogacy

Navigating the legal and medical complexities of surrogacy can be daunting. Sher Fertility Solutions offers expert guidance in these areas, helping intended parents understand and comply with all necessary legal requirements and medical protocols. This support is crucial in managing the intricacies involved in surrogacy arrangements.

Post-Birth Support & Family Transition Planning

The commitment of Sher Fertility Solutions extends beyond the birth of the child. They assist with post-birth arrangements, ensuring that the transition for both the surrogate and the intended parents is as smooth as possible. This includes facilitating legal documentation and providing emotional support as needed.

In summary, Sher Fertility Solutions stands out for its holistic approach to gestational surrogacy, emphasizing personalized care, expert guidance, and strong partnerships to ensure a successful surrogacy journey for all parties involved.

Donor Embryo & Embryo Adoption

Embryo donation is a process where individuals or couples donate their unused embryos to others who are unable to conceive using their own eggs or sperm. This procedure involves transferring a donated embryo to the recipient’s uterus, giving them a chance to experience pregnancy and childbirth. People often consider embryo donation when they have exhausted other fertility treatments, have genetic concerns, or are unable to produce viable eggs or sperm. It’s a compassionate option that allows donors to help others build families while providing recipients with an opportunity to carry and give birth to a child.

Embryo donation is suitable for individuals or couples who have experienced repeated IVF failures, have genetic issues, or are unable to use their own gametes. The process typically involves matching donors with recipients, followed by the transfer of the donated embryo to the recipient’s uterus. After the transfer, recipients can expect to undergo regular prenatal care if pregnancy occurs. The success rates for embryo donation vary but are generally comparable to traditional IVF, with pregnancy rates ranging from 25% to 50% per transfer. If you’re considering Embryo Donation, book an appointment with Sher Fertility Solutions to explore your options and receive personalized care.

Reasons for Considering Embryo Donation

Repeated IVF Failures

For couples who have undergone multiple unsuccessful rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo donation can offer renewed hope. Repeated IVF failures can be emotionally and financially draining, leading to frustration and disappointment. Embryo donation provides an alternative path to parenthood, utilizing high-quality embryos from donors who have completed their family-building journey. This option can significantly increase the chances of a successful pregnancy, especially for those who have experienced recurrent implantation failure or unexplained infertility despite numerous IVF attempts.

Genetic Concerns

Some individuals or couples may carry genetic disorders or have a family history of hereditary conditions that they wish to avoid passing on to their children. Embryo donation allows these prospective parents to sidestep genetic concerns while still experiencing pregnancy and childbirth. Donated embryos often come from couples who have undergone genetic screening, providing recipients with additional reassurance about the genetic health of their potential child. This option can be particularly appealing for those who have discovered they are carriers of serious genetic disorders or have a high risk of transmitting inherited conditions.

Age-Related Infertility

As women age, their fertility naturally declines due to a decrease in both egg quantity and quality. For women in their late 30s or 40s who desire to become pregnant, embryo donation can be an excellent option. These donated embryos typically come from younger donors, which can significantly improve the chances of a successful pregnancy and healthy birth. Age-related infertility can be particularly frustrating for women who delay childbearing for various reasons, and embryo donation offers them the opportunity to experience pregnancy and motherhood despite the biological constraints of their own reproductive system.

Inability to Produce Viable Eggs or Sperm Naturally

Some individuals may be unable to produce viable eggs or sperm due to various medical conditions, cancer treatments, or premature ovarian failure. For these patients, embryo donation provides a chance to achieve pregnancy when using their own gametes is not possible. This option is particularly valuable for cancer survivors who may have undergone treatments that affected their fertility or for individuals with conditions such as primary ovarian insufficiency or severe male factor infertility. Embryo donation allows these individuals or couples to experience the joys of pregnancy and parenthood despite their reproductive challenges.

Desire to Experience Pregnancy and Childbirth

Many individuals and couples have a strong desire to experience pregnancy and childbirth, even if they cannot use their own genetic material. Embryo donation fulfills this wish by allowing the recipient to carry and give birth to their child. This process can foster a deep biological connection between the mother and baby through pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. For many recipients, the ability to nurture their child from the earliest stages of development and experience the physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy is a profoundly meaningful part of their journey to parenthood.

Lower Cost Compared to Traditional IVF & Egg Donation

Embryo donation is often more cost-effective than traditional IVF with egg donation. Since the embryos are already created, recipients can avoid the expenses associated with egg retrieval, sperm collection, and the initial fertilization process. This can result in significant cost savings, making family-building more accessible to a broader range of individuals and couples who may have been priced out of other fertility treatments. Additionally, the streamlined process of embryo donation often requires fewer medical procedures and medications, further reducing both the financial burden and the physical toll on the recipient.

Embryo Donation & Embryo Adoption Services

Sher Fertility Solutions’ Embryo Donation services stand out due to their unparalleled expertise and comprehensive approach. Our experienced team of fertility specialists brings decades of collective knowledge to every case, ensuring that each patient receives the highest standard of care.

• Dr. Geoffrey Sher and Dr. Drew Tortoriello are renowned experts in the field of Embryo Donation at Sher Fertility Solutions (SFS). Dr. Sher, with over 40 years of experience in reproductive medicine, is a pioneer in the IVF field and has been instrumental in developing many groundbreaking techniques. He introduced the concept of Embryo Banking/Stockpiling, which offers an alternative to traditional IVF with egg donation for older women and those with diminished ovarian reserve.
• Dr. Tortoriello, serving as the medical director at SFS, collaborates closely with Dr. Sher. Together, they have over 55 years of combined clinical and academic experience in Reproductive Medicine. Their expertise in Embryo Donation is enhanced by their innovative use of Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT-a/PGS-a), a technique they were among the first to introduce clinically in 2005. This advanced method allows for the assessment of all 23 pairs of an embryo’s chromosomes, significantly improving the success rates of embryo transfers and providing patients with more reliable options in their fertility journey.

At Sher Fertility Solutions, we prioritize not only the medical aspects but also the emotional well-being of our patients. Our comprehensive donor screening process goes beyond standard medical checks, ensuring that you have access to high-quality embryos from thoroughly vetted donors. We understand that every journey to parenthood is unique, which is why we offer personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Book a consultation with Sher Fertility Solutions for your embryo donation needs, and benefit from our consistently high success rates, which are a testament to our expertise, advanced techniques, and unwavering commitment to helping you achieve your dream of parenthood.