Gestational Surrogacy

There are two types of surrogacy cycles. One type is where pregnancy is achieved with a simple artificial insemination using a semen sample from the male partner. The only way in which Dr. Pabon will perform such a treatment is after freezing and a six-month quarantine of the semen sample. The male partner is screened for all pertinent infectious diseases before freezing and after six months. If the follow-up tests are negative, then the specimen frozen six months prior is released for use in artificial insemination. This is in compliance with the guidelines of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. This is the preferred protocol for this type of treatment because artificial inseminations with fresh sperm/semen can readily transmit disease, and most screening tests have a latent period after infection before they become positive.

The second type of gestational surrogacy is where pregnancy is achieved with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer procedures. The freezing and quarantine of the sperm is offered, but since this procedure carries a much lower risk of infection transmission, it is considered acceptable to use fresh sperm and eggs from low-risk patients who have been screened thoroughly. The eggs are obtained from the spouse or from an egg donor. The embryos are then placed into the womb of the synchronized gestational carrier.

The laws and ethical guidelines ruling gestational surrogacy vary from state to state and from country to country. Our advice is that you seek experienced legal counsel in this regard. Our experience in Florida has been excellent. Our pregnancy rates in the gestational surrogacy program exceed 70%. Very importantly, our center prides itself in high success with low complications. All of our surrogacy cycles for 1999, 2000, and 2001 have resulted in singleton gestations. This has been possible through the application of protocols geared for this and also through the use of  prolonged embryo culture and blastocyst transfers. Please refer to blastocyst transfer information. If you are interested in becoming a surrogate, please email us at eggdonor@drpabon.com.