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.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!