Needing info on being a GC...

biggdaddy4605

I'm considering being a GC for a friend of mine.  I've tried to find info online, but not much.  Can someone enlighten me a bit?  We would not be going through an agency, just using lawyers.  Friend has a blood clotting issue, 80% chance she would die if she could carry.  We would be using her eggs, her DH's sperm, and my uterus!

IRR

Hi, what a great friend you are.  We actually just had a friends daughter offer to be a GC for us and after three failed adoptions, we are so excited.  We just started researching this topic and depending on what state you live in the laws are of course all different.  There are board for surrogacy that include a lot of carriers, and some IP's (intended parents), let me look up the board for you if you are interested in joining, I will message you the group.  GL to all parties involved.

biggdaddy4605

I am interested! Thank you!

IRR

Send you a PM

lincoln79

You ladies are wonderful to offer to do this! We are 17w today using a GC! OP, we didn't use an agency just lawyers.

I have a P ower P oint I made to guide the first discussion we had with our GC and hh. I am happy to send it to you if you PM me your email.

Otherwise, feel free to post specific questions as they come up. It is a lot to deal with but completely worth it!

Mama-Bear

I'm a GSx1 and matched again for #2.  What kind of info are you needing?  What state are you in? Have you checked your insurance benefits package to see if there's a surrogacy exclusion?  Are you and your friends on the same page regarding how many to transfer, termination (and under what scenario) and reduction (at what number of fetus')?  

Check out the forums on surromomsonline.com and allaboutsurrogacy.com.  There are also a ton of surrogacy related FB groups. 

DizzyMom1

Hey there, it's a wild thought isn't it? I am a GC for my aunt, we're currently in the 2 week wait to see if this has worked, we only went through lawyers for our contract and she went through an agency to adopt embryo's. Do you have any specific questions? 

biggdaddy4605

We're in Wisconsin, and only started the conversations on being a GC but I have all those questions on my list to ask.  I'm mostly curious about the actual IVF process.  What injections (if any) will I have on my end?  Is there tracking of my cycle?  I believe we are using frozen eggs, and then thawing...not really sure.  What should I expect during the implantation?

Mama-Bear

There may or may not be BCP's (not sure since it'll be a frozen transfer.  Lupron (keeps you from ovulating), Estrogen of some sort (patches, pills taken orally, or pills taken vaginally to thicken your lining), and Progesterone (either an injection or a vaginal suppository since you wouldn't have ovulated, you won't have the Corpus Luteum releasing Progesterone naturally).  You'll be on Lupron for a couple of weeks before the transfer and Progesterone from a few days before transfer (usually you would start around the time of retrieval), and you'll continue on Progesterone until 6-12w pregnant.

DoulaRaVenMa

Mama bear covered it pretty much
The RE I have been with also put you on baby aspirin well you are fluffy up & a antibiotic right before transfer .

sarahjeri

@biggdaddy4605 You're an awesome friend for even considering being a GC!  

To answer your questions... 

What injections (if any) will I have on my end? 

-If you have any (protocols are different for everyone) they will be for Lupron, estrogen, and/or progesterone.  The injections are not fun, but they are do-able.  If you end up doing them I highly recommend icing before, rubbing the injection site super hard for 2 minutes after.  

Is there tracking of my cycle? 

-Most likely you'll be put on bcp then before the pills end you'll start lupron. 

 I believe we are using frozen eggs, and then thawing...not really sure.  What should I expect during the implantation?  

-Transfer was a breeze.  The worst part for me was you have to drink (what seemed like) a gallon of water before the transfer and the pain of needing to pee so bad... well you get the idea. 

biggdaddy4605

Thanks everyone for the info!  I hope we will be able to make mine and my friend's dreams a reality!