Once you have chosen a gestational carrier, the next step is to begin the screening process to ensure that everyone is a good candidate for this program. The intended parent(s) and the gestational carrier (and her partner, if she is in a relationship) need to meet with our fertility counselor to discuss all of the potential emotional/psychological issues that may arise. There is no charge for this appointment. If the intended parent(s) are not current patients of TFC, a new patient appointment with one of our physicians must be scheduled. The appointment with the physician and the counselor can be combined in one visit, if desired.

If there are no concerns after all involved parties have met with our counselor, the next step is to have the prospective gestational carrier meet with one of our physicians for a new patient appointment. We will need the carrier’s medical records from her primary care physician and/or OB/GYN prior to this appointment. The carrier will need to undergo a sonohysterogram (SHG) to ensure that her uterus has a normal inner contour, which is needed for successful implantation and carrying a pregnancy. This test should be completed during cycle days 5-14 of the menstrual cycle. A practice embryo transfer (mock ET) will also be performed the same day as the SHG. This procedure enables the physician to determine how best to transfer the embryo(s) to the carrier’s uterus. The doctor will insert a tiny catheter through the cervix to measure the length of the uterine cavity. The carrier’s new patient appointment can be scheduled on the same day as these procedures to reduce the number of appointments, if desired.

Once these tests are completed, both the intended parent(s) and gestational carrier meet with a nurse to review the process of the cycle, medications, consents and any further testing that is needed (i.e. lab work). The consents need to be signed by all parties involved and must be witnessed by a TFC staff member or a Notary of the Public.