Pregnancy Terms and Definitions for Surrogates

There is so much to learn when you are a surrogate! It’s not like you this is your first pregnancy, since you are now a surrogate, you probably have had at least one or two successful and seamless pregnancies of your own under your belt! However, surrogacy introduces a whole new world of doctors, appointments and terms – at least in the beginning stages of the surrogacy process.

Below is a list of medical terms often used in conjunction with a surrogacy journey. It’s useful to have this handy to review or refer to, when beginning the process.

1. Surrogate/Gestational Carrier: These terms are used interchangeably. However, if you are thinking about becoming a surrogate with Shared Conception, you’ll be considered a gestational surrogate. There is an additional term “traditional surrogate” which means the surrogate is both the egg donor and surrogate – which Shared Conception does not practice or facilitate.
2. Gestational Surrogacy: Pregnancy where the surrogate is genetically and biologically unrelated to the baby. Embryos are created using the eggs from the intended mother or egg donor, and sperm from the intended father or sperm donor.
3. Intended Parents: Person or persons who become the legal parent(s) of a child born through surrogacy.
4. Cycle Schedule: A timeline for the surrogate that lists important local monitoring appointment dates leading up to the transfer. This is usually created by your IVF clinic.
5. Matching: A wonderful process in which Shared Conception excels in. This is when a surrogate is paired with intended parent(s). Shared Conception matches surrogates with intended parents that are good matches based on legal requirements, personality compatibility, preferences and similar expectations.
6. Surrogacy Contract: A legal contract between the surrogate and intended parents. The terms of the contract are negotiated by the parties through their legal representation. At no cost to the surrogate, Shared Conception provides you with a list of specialized lawyers to choose from, always with the option of using your own.  It is very important for both the intended parents and the surrogate to read the contract carefully so that all terms and conditions are clearly defined and well understood.
7. Blastocyst or “Blast”: The last stage of development an embryo is required to reach before it is able to be implanted.
8. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A medical procedure whereby an egg is fertilized by sperm in a test tube or elsewhere outside the body. The process is performed at an IVF clinic.
9. Embryo Transfer: A process that occurs when a frozen embryo (an already fertilized and frozen egg) is thawed and transferred into a surrogate by a reproductive doctor.
10. Beta Testing: A blood test used to help indicate whether a woman is pregnant 8-14 days after an embryo transfer.
11. Pre-Birth Order: A court issued order that is acquired before the birth of the child and establishes the intended parents as the legal guardians of the baby carried by the gestational carrier or surrogate.

If you are interested in becoming a surrogate or the surrogate mother process, contact us! Give Shared Conception a call today. We will answer any questions from the surrogate application process to surrogate pay. We would love to chat with you. You can also click hereto read about the surrogate mother requirements to see if you could be a candidate.