A Surrogacy Dictionary: Unraveling the Lingo of IVF and Surrogacy
Welcome to Surrogacy Mentor, your compass in the world of gestational surrogacy. Embarking on this path is like navigating a new world, along with terminology that can seem daunting at first. But fear not! We've compiled a comprehensive surrogacy dictionary to demystify the acronyms, phrases, and lingo commonly encountered. Whether you're an intended parent, a surrogate, or just curious about the process, this guide is for you.
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- A medical procedure where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body, in a lab. IVF is often used in surrogacy to create embryos that can be transferred to the surrogate's uterus.
GC, GS, (Gestational Carrier, Gestational Surrogate)
- A woman who carries and delivers a baby for someone else. A gestational surrogate (or gestational carrier) has no genetic link to the baby, as the embryo transferred to her uterus was created using an egg from an intended mother or a donor.
IP(s) (Intended Parent(s)
- The individual(s) who will become the legal parent(s) of the child born through surrogacy.
- A woman who donates her eggs to be used in the IVF process, helping others to conceive. The donor can be known or anonymous.
- A man who donates his sperm for the purpose of inseminating a traditional surrogate or fertilizing an egg in the IVF or IUI process.
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Embryo Transfer
- The process of a fertility doctor placing an embryo into the uterus of a gestational surrogate, with the hope that it will implant and result in pregnancy. Typically you will either have a Single Embyro Transfer (SET) or a Double Embryo Transfer (DET), where they transfer 2 embryos instead of one.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
- A broad term for medical techniques in the fertility field used to achieve pregnancy, including IVF, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and others.
RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist)
- A doctor who has special training in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility.
PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis)
- A procedure used alongside IVF to test embryos for genetic conditions before transfer to the surrogate's uterus.
PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening)
- Similar to PGD, this tests embryos for overall chromosomal normalcy, not specific genetic conditions. It helps select the healthiest embryos for transfer.
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Beta hCG Test
- A blood test that measures the levels of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) to determine if pregnancy has occurred following an embryo transfer, IVF or IUI.
POS (Pee on a Stick)
- This is used to reference taking a home urine pregnancy test
BFP/ BFN (Big Fat Positive, Big Fat Negative)
- These terms can be used to refrence the results of an at home pregnancy test.
Singleton, Twins, Triplets
- Terms referring to the number of fetuses carried by the surrogate: one, two, or three, respectively.
EDD (Estimated Due Date)
- The calculated date when the baby is expected to be born.
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Matching
- The process of bringing together a compatable surrogate and the intended parents or agency, often facilitated by a surrogacy agency or company such as Surrogacy Mentor.
Surrogacy Agreement/Contract
- A legal contract outlining the responsibilities, rights, and expectations of both the intended parents and the surrogate. It's crucial for this agreement to be in place before the medical process begins.
This glossary is just the beginning; the world of surrogacy and ART is vast and ever-evolving. As you delve deeper into your journey, you may encounter more specific terms related to your unique situation. Remember, knowledge is power, and understanding these terms is the first step toward navigating your surrogacy journey with confidence. At Surrogacy Mentor, we're here to support you every step of the way, providing guidance, information, and resources to make your surrogacy experience as smooth and fulfilling as possible.