If you’re a hopeful surrogate mother or an intended parent, you’ll know that there are several terms you may not be familiar with. So, to help you further with the interpretation of surrogacy terminology, we’re here to provide you with a list of definitions and terms.
Read as we discuss some common surrogacy terms you should be aware of:
1. Gestational diabetes
A surrogate may develop gestational diabetes while she’s pregnant. While this doesn’t mean that she’ll have diabetes after she gives birth, it’s a condition that must be monitored closely for her and her baby’s health.
2. Estimated Due Date (EDD)
This is when a surrogate is expected to give birth, although she may be scheduled for a C-section later on.
3. Pre-Birth Order (PBO)
This legal document safeguards the rights of the intended parents — it establishes their parental rights even before the birth of the baby, permitting them to have their name on their birth certificate once the delivery is complete.
4. Vaginal Delivery After C-Section (VBAC)
VBAC is when women who previously had a C-section can deliver their next baby vaginally. The OBGYN of a woman can help determine if this is possible for her.
5. Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
This is a medical procedure used to remove tissue from the uterus. This procedure is commonly used during abortion when an embryo implants in a surrogate’s uterus but doesn’t lead to a viable pregnancy. The old embryo must be removed through this minor surgical process before a new embryo can be transferred. This procedure is also used to diagnose and treat certain uterine conditions.
6. Miscarriage
In some cases, an implanted embryo doesn’t survive to full term. Usually, a miscarriage occurs within the first trimester, and the embryo will either be ejected naturally or via a surgical procedure.
7. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
This sampling is a prenatal test conducted for diagnosing chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome as well as other genetic disorders. Often, fertility clinics test a number of embryos with this process before finding out which one they will transfer to a surrogate’s uterus.
8. Ultrasound (US)
Ultrasounds are completed at multiple stages in the surrogacy process to ensure a baby is developing correctly.
9. Pregnant
Surrogates use this acronym to describe where they are at in their surrogacy journey.
10. Home Pregnancy Test (HPT)
While intended parents and fertility clinics prefer the absoluteness of a blood pregnancy test completed at the clinic, certain surrogates take home pregnancy tests in the days leading up to their BETA to see if their positive pregnancy read gets better.
11. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
During BETA, this hormone is tested as it’s the hormone that the placenta creates during pregnancy.
12. Blood Test for Pregnancy (BETA)
BETA levels are the blood and chemical levels that determine if a surrogate is pregnant. Fertility clinics and surrogates will track their BETA levels — a declining BETA level means a surrogate isn’t pregnant, while an increasing BETA level means a surrogate is pregnant.
13. Post-Embryo Transfer (PET)
This is a term that refers to the period after a transfer is complete.
14. Day Post Transfer (DPT)
This is a general term for tracking the post-transfer day.
15. Cycle Day (CD)
This is the first day of a woman’s menstrual cycle — Day 1 of her period.
16. Last Menstrual Period (LMP)
Surrogates should know their LMP — the last time their period started. This will help fertility specialists know when she’s most fertile and able to accept a transferred embryo. Often, this is closely tracked by a fertility clinic.
17. Egg Donor (ED)
This term is used when a surrogacy process includes an egg donation.
18. Donor Egg (DE)
A donor egg creates an embryo transfer for an intended parent, who may be a same-sex male couple, a single man, or an intended mother whose eggs aren’t viable for healthy embryos.
19. Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
Instead of a fresh embryo transfer, this type of transfer involves a frozen embryo, often left over from the previous IVF treatments of intended parents.
20. Embryo Transfer (ET)
The fertility clinic completes the embryo transfer once a surrogate’s body is ready to accept an embryo.
21. Endometriosis
This is a condition where tissue that usually lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. In most cases, people with endometriosis struggle with fertility issues. This could be one reason why they turn to surrogacy.
22. Cervical Mucus (CM)
This represents how fertile a surrogate is and must reach a specific level before the embryo transfer.
23. Hysteroscopy
This procedure allows doctors to look closely at a woman’s uterine lining, helping them diagnose not just infertility but any difficulty in a surrogate’s ability to carry a baby successfully.
24. Subcutaneous injections
These injections help in administering the hormones and pregnancy — they’re used for potential surrogates and women who have their eggs retrieved.
25. Progesterone
This hormone maintains pregnancy by preparing a woman’s body and regulating the monthly menstrual cycle. Surrogates prepare the uterine lining by taking progesterone supplements.
26. Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Also referred to as Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), LH is carefully monitored during the process. The pituitary gland secretes this hormone to stimulate the growth of the ovarian follicle in egg development and to control the menstrual cycle.
27. Estradiol
This is an estrogen medication that surrogates consume to get themselves ready for embryo transfer. This helps grow the uterus’ lining.
28. Birth Control Pills (BCP)
Sometimes, BCPs are used after the creation of a fresh embryo. A surrogate will take the pills to coordinate with the cycle of the egg donor or intended mother before transfer.
29. Gestational Carrier (GC)
Also known as a gestational surrogate, this is a woman who carries the child of the intended parent. However, she isn’t genetically related to the baby.
30. Traditional Surrogate (TS)
This is a woman who is genetically related to the child she carries, typically through donating her eggs during the IVF process.
31. Intended Parents (IPs)
These are the people who are trying to have a biologically related child through surrogacy. More specific terms comprise:
- Potential Intended Parent (PIP)
- Potential Intended Mother (PIM)
- Potential Intended Father (PIF)
- Intended Mother (IM)
- Intended Father (IF)
32. Artificial Insemination (AI)
This is a process where semen is injected into the uterus or vagina without sexual intercourse. While this process isn’t used in gestational surrogacies, some surrogates complete at-home inseminations using this method.
33. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
This is an ART technique that retrieves mature sperm and eggs and fertilizes embryos in a lab.
34. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
ART is a vast term encompassing every assisted reproduction method, including gamete donation, in-vitro fertilization, surrogacy, and more.
35. Gynecologist or obstetrician
Once the reproductive endocrinologist confirms a healthy pregnancy, this professional will work with the surrogate mother during her pregnancy to ensure both she and her unborn baby are healthy.
36. Reproductive endocrinologist
This is the fertility specialist who helps intended parents come out of their infertility struggles. Often, these are the professionals with whom intended parents interact. Once intended parents decide to go for surrogacy, this professional will work with the surrogate and intended parents to coordinate the embryo production and transfer process.
Overview of the process
Surrogacy is extremely important to help families achieve their dream, and we help you understand the whole process so that your dream can become a reality. Thanks to well-screened surrogate mothers, we help intended parents grow their families.
Familiarizing yourself with the implications of surrogacy is vital for success throughout the process. Whether you’re a potential surrogate helping make that dream happen or an intended parent looking to expand your family, the following are the five steps you’ll most likely witness:
- Commit to the process: Ensure that surrogacy matches your familial, financial, and emotional aspirations.
- Choose the type of surrogacy: There are two types of surrogacy. Familiarize yourself with the benefits of both and choose the best option for you.
- Find a match: Discover the perfect match by meeting with intended parents or potential surrogate mothers.
- Draft the contracts: Verify parental and compensation rights by finalizing legal proceedings.
- Get done with the childbearing process: Finish the medical process and enjoy the life-changing event of the child’s birth.
Benefits of the surrogacy process
Chances of success are higher
Since surrogates are known to carry out healthy pregnancies, this process is more successful than other treatments.
Surrogacy ensures your involvement
Often, intended parents are able to be involved in attending important appointments, be involved in the pregnancy of their surrogate, and be present for key milestones, including birth and embryo transfer.
Surrogacy doesn’t lead to surprises
A legally binding contract is signed, allowing everyone to know what to anticipate during the process. To confirm the legal rights of the intended parents, a court order is acquired prior to the child’s birth.
Surrogacy build relationships
Most intended parents become friends with their surrogate and their family during the process. Thus, meaningful, long-lasting bonds are developed.
Surrogacy makes genetic connections
Often, gestational surrogacy allows parents to maintain a biological relationship with their children.
Surrogacy completes families
For those who have struggled with medical conditions and infertility, surrogacy is usually the answer to years of futile attempts to build a family.
Looking to earn money through surrogacy? Turn to OC Women’s Surrogacy
Based in California, OC Women’s Surrogacy helps intended parents fulfill their dreams of starting a family through its surrogacy services. The company appreciates the commitment of surrogates to changing lives in the most beautiful ways. Therefore, OC Women’s Surrogacy offers $50,000 in addition to exciting benefits to make this journey memorable and joyful for them.
OC Women’s Surrogacy continues to serve gestational carriers and families by offering a fulfilling experience through education, important relationships, and guidance on their journey. The company also offers a referral bonus of $1,000 through its surrogate referral program in California, helping individuals earn extra money for every potential surrogate referred.
We allow surrogates and intended parents to meet, bond, and discuss their requirements before making an agreement. Our surrogates go through a strict screening process to ensure they are in perfect health.
Give us a call now for more information on our egg donor and surrogacy program!
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