7 Important Terms to Know in Gestational Surrogacy

If you’re reading this blog, you might be a woman who’s interested in helping others become parents. You may feel called to become a surrogate mother after watching friends or relatives struggle with infertility. Or, you could be an aspiring parent looking to start a family through gestational surrogacy. Regardless of who you are or how you’re involved, it’s best to learn as much about gestational surrogacy so you can go in knowing what to expect.

There are multiple steps in the surrogacy process. Several different people make gestational surrogacy possible. Here are seven important terms to know in gestational surrogacy.

1) Gestational Carrier (Gestational Surrogate)

Gestational carrier (or gestational surrogate) is the technical term for a woman who is hired to carry and deliver someone else’s baby (or babies). Other terms for her are “surrogate” and “surrogate mother.” A gestational carrier is different from a traditional surrogate. A traditional surrogate is the child’s biological mother, but a gestational surrogate has no relation to the child.

2) Intended Parents

The intended parents are the people who seek to become parents through gestational surrogacy. The intended parents are the child’s (or children’s) biological parents. They are the people the surrogate mother is working for.

3) Matching

Surrogacy agencies, like Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma, interview both the surrogate and the intended parents before introducing them to each other. They match surrogates with intended parents based on their desires and preferences. For example, if a surrogate mother is passionate about helping members of the LGBT community, she may be paired with an LGBT couple or individual.

4) In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

With gestational surrogacy, the child is conceived through a process called in vitro fertilization (IVF). After the eggs and sperm are collected, they are fertilized and embryos are created in a laboratory.

5) Egg Donor

If the intended mother can’t provide her own eggs for the IVF, she can use a donor’s eggs. An intended mother may decide to use donated eggs if her own eggs are unhealthy. Gay or single men may also use egg donors, since they can’t provide the eggs themselves.

The egg donor and the surrogate mother are two separate people. The surrogate can’t provide her own eggs, so the intended parents would have to acquire the eggs from elsewhere.

Sperm banks and sperm donors are also available for intended parents who can’t provide sperm for the IVF.

6) Egg Retrieval

It’s easy to collect sperm for the IVF, but it takes time to collect the eggs. The intended mother or egg donor will have to undergo surgery to retrieve said eggs.

7) Embryo Transfer

Following IVF, the embryos are placed inside the surrogate mother in the hopes that at least one will stick. After the transfer is complete, the surrogate will be monitored. Once it is confirmed that she is pregnant, she’ll have to see an obstetrician regularly.

Important Terms to Know in Gestational Surrogacy

We hope this blog gives you a better idea of what gestational surrogacy entails. If you would like to learn more about these terms, or if you have any additional questions about gestational surrogacy, don’t hesitate to contact us. Whether you’re a surrogate mother or intended parent, Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma is here to guide you.

Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma is a surrogacy and adoption agency, licensed by the state of Oklahoma and leader in the community. We assist both intended parents and gestational carriers (surrogates). Our staff members are committed to providing an ethical, empowering, and personalized experience to all involved in the surrogacy process.
Toll-free: 800-898-6028 | OKC Local: 405-755-1999 | Tulsa Local: 918-447-7777 | Text: 405-310-8790 | Email

Meet the Author: Heather Valenzano is an up-and-coming content creator with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a minor in English. After graduating from Iona College in 2019, she got an internship – and then a part-time job – writing blogs and managing social media accounts for Hip New Jersey, a lifestyle website owned by Long Shot Productions. She has also produced website and social media content for CommonPage, an external collaboration platform.

When she isn’t working, Heather enjoys watching crime shows like Forensic Files or posting book reviews to OnlineBookClub.org under the username “LavenderLiterature2.”