Gestational Carrier Program - FAQ's

Gestational Carrier - Main Page

1. What is the Gestational Carrier Program?

The Gestational Carrier Program was established to help women who are unable to carry their own pregnancy to a viable outcome. The intended mother’s (or donor’s) eggs are fertilized with the sperm of the intended mother’s partner (or donor), and after incubation in the laboratory for 3 days, they are transferred to the uterus of the gestational carrier. This process is known as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

2. How is a Gestational Carrier Cycle Done?

Gestational carrier cycles use the same technology we use for standard IVF. The intended mother (or egg donor) undergoes ovulation induction with fertility enhancing medication. The eggs are retrieved by ultrasound guided aspiration. The embryos are replaced with a small catheter into the recipient’s uterus 3 or 5 days after the egg retrieval. The gestational carrier’s cycle is synchronized to that of the intended mother (or egg) donor by using a combination of hormonal supplements. Once pregnant, the gestational carrier is maintained on hormones throughout the first 3 months.

3. How Do I Find A Gestational Carrier?

There are two types of gestational carriers. Gestational carriers that are recruited and psychologically screened by an agency separate from our clinic. (A list of commonly used agencies by our clinic is included.) A known gestational carrier is someone you know who is willing to be a gestational carrier for you (i.e. a family member or friend). All gestational carriers must:

• Be between the ages of 21 and 40, and must have a history of having achieved pregnancy
• Have a physical exam
• Have infectious disease lab testing done
• Must have a face-to-face psychological evaluation
• Partner/spouse required to be tested for infectious diseases

4. How Much Does The Program Cost?

Initial screening costs for the Intended Mother and Partner may vary, but are approximately $3000 your insurance may or may not cover most of the prescreening tests. A cycle in the Gestational Carrier Program ranges from $12,500 to $16,500 not including medications, agency fees and gestational carrier compensation which are additional to the cycle fees. *If you have infertility benefits under your plan, you may want to verify with your insurance if gestational carriers (and donors) are covered.

5. Is There A Fee For A Gestational Carrier?

Payment to gestational carriers recruited by an outside agency is coordinated with the intended parent and the recruiting agency. Reimbursement for a known gestational carrier is left up to the intended parent.

6. What Are The Requirements For Intended Parents?

If you are using your own eggs the recommended age for intended parents is 40 or less. For patients using an egg donor the recommended age is 50 or less and you must be in good health to enter the program. Women over 50 will be evaluated on a case by case basis. We recommend all intended mothers have a current annual physical with a Pap smear, mammogram and cholesterol test current within the year.

7. How Do I Enter The Gestational Carrier Program?

Call the office at (650) 498-7911 to schedule a new patient appointment. If you are already an established patient, you will still need to call and schedule an appointment for a consultation with the doctor to discuss you gestational carrier cycle.

Please bring all prior medical records with you to your appointment, or mail them to:

Stanford IVF/Donor Program
900 Welch Road, Suite 350
Palo Alto, CA 94304

8. Still Have Questions?

Please feel free to call us at (650) 498-4721.