FAQs about In vitro Fertilization (IVF) for Surrogacy

In vitro fertilization, the introduction of sperm to fertilize eggs in a laboratory setting (“in vitro” literally means “in the lab”), is an important process to the gestational surrogacy process in Colorado. As one of the most common assisted reproductive technologies, in vitro fertilization ( IVF) can help intended parents in a wide variety of situations. In fact, without IVF, gestational surrogacy would not be possible at all! 

If you are considering gestational surrogacy as an option for meeting your family’s needs or as a woman hoping to carry a baby for a couple or individual, learning more about in vitro fertilization is very valuable to understanding what exactly happens during the gestational surrogacy timeline. Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado is here to answer some frequently asked questions about in vitro fertilization.

FAQs about In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

IVF might seem like a deeply complex laboratory procedure with many steps to comprehend. However, gaining a basic understanding of what happens during the IVF process can be helpful for keeping intended parents and gestational surrogates informed with what occurs in gestational surrogacy. Some FAQs about in vitro fertilization (IVF) include: 

Question #1: Where do the sperm and egg come from? 

IVF is an extremely versatile technique that provides intended parents many different options for meeting their family’s needs. One reason IVF is so valuable is because the sperm and egg can come from either the intended parents or from donors. For heterosexual intended parents who wish to use their own sperm and eggs for in vitro fertilization, this option is entirely available! 

With IVF that uses sperm and eggs from the intended parents, gestational surrogacy actually allows for their child to be biologically related to both parents. On the other hand, for same sex intended parents, single intended parents, or intended parents who may be dealing with infertility, sperm and eggs from a donor can also be used in the IVF process. Either way, no matter what the intended parent situation is, in vitro fertilization can help to achieve intended parents’ dreams of having children.  

Question #2: Does IVF hurt? 

A common fear that intended parents may have about the in vitro fertilization process is that it may seem to be painful. For the most part, though, this is not the case. For men, the process of providing sperm is typically pain free. Women, on the other hand, need to undergo an egg extraction process that may be associated with some discomfort similar to menstrual cramps for a few days after the extraction. Anesthesia is used while the egg is retrieved, and many women report the process to be entirely pain free! If pains associated with IVF are a large concern for you, conversations with a health care specialist may help to address specific conditions and alleviate these stresses. 

Question #3: How long does IVF take? 

The IVF process involves a few steps, with these common steps typically being known as one cycle of IVF. One cycle of in vitro fertilization will include the extraction of eggs, retrieval of sperm, the actual fertilization process that is done in the laboratory, and finally, the transfer of the embryo that is formed. A full cycle of IVF typically occurs between 14 and 21 days, making it not a very lengthy timeline. However, IVF cycles may need to be repeated, as there is no guarantee that the fertilization will be successful on the very first attempt. Therefore, it may be difficult to accurately predict exactly how long IVF might take for each family without a thorough understanding of each intended parent situation.  

Question #4: How are the fertilized embryos transferred to the gestational surrogate? 

After a successful cycle of IVF, a fertilized embryo will be available to be implanted into the gestational carrier aka surrogate. This embryo will be frozen and preserved before it is transferred, and later thawed prior to implantation into the gestational carrier. In order for the gestational surrogate to become pregnant, the embryo will be inserted into the gestational surrogate’s uterus. After this implantation, (hopefully) the gestational surrogate will become pregnant with the intended parents’ child and carry it to term!  

Question #5: What should I eat during IVF? 

If you are an intended parent undergoing IVF, it can be very important to ensure you are consuming a healthy diet and prioritizing meeting your body’s needs. Some foods that intended parents who are using in vitro fertilization should consume include: meat, shellfish, legumes, eggs, and leafy greens. In general, eating foods that are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, zinc, and folic acid, is quite beneficial for any intended parent who is trying to nourish their body during in vitro fertilization. 

In general, while IVF may seem difficult to understand, a surrogacy company can aid in providing intended parents important information about the process. Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado is here to help answer any questions that may arise! 

Interested in Gestational Surrogacy? 

If you are a woman who is interested in becoming a gestational surrogate, or intended parents who are interested in gestational surrogacy, feel free to reach out to us at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado. We have resources to support both gestational carriers and intended parents and are here to help ensure a smooth surrogacy process along the way. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions that you may have!

If you are interested in surrogacy and want to learn more about your options, contact Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.

Meet the Author: Ashley Nies is an undergraduate student at Stanford University who is studying Human Biology and Political Science. Ashley is largely interested in various aspects of health and healthcare, and writes about these topics. She has taken classes on rhetoric, ethics and social media in health, as well as other creative writing classes during her freshman year at Stanford. 

Ashley is from Las Vegas, Nevada, and considers herself to be fun-loving and adventurous. She values the importance of combining STEM with liberal arts education and hopes to integrate these in her writing. 

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