The Medical Surrogacy Process

Surrogacy Medications [Why You Need Them]


Is There a Surrogacy Medication Timeline?  

As a gestational carrier in surrogacy, you will take a variety of important surrogacy medications. 

Before learning more about gestational surrogacy medications, you can complete this online contact form to connect with a surrogacy professional. They can provide you with complete information on the surrogacy medical process and the associated surrogacy medications. 

It’s important to note that this guide is not intended to serve as medical advice, nor are we medical professionals. Speaking with a surrogacy professional and fertility specialist is the best way to get specific information and medical advice related to pregnancy and surrogacy.   

As it relates to pregnancy, surrogacy medications are designed to:   

The surrogacy medications you take for the above reasons are necessary to recreate what the body needs in a traditional pregnancy.  

In this complete guide, the gestational surrogacy medications you will learn about coordinate and control your cycle and give you and the intended parents the best chance at a healthy pregnancy and successful surrogacy.  

Now, let’s dig deeper into the surrogacy medications timeline, the various medications you’ll take and any potential side effects of surrogacy medication.  

The Surrogacy Medication Timeline [5 Steps]  

The timeline for when you will take surrogacy medications mainly revolves around the recommendations of your fertility professional based on how your body responds.  

Generally, these are the five steps of the surrogacy medication timeline:  

Step 1: Birth Control Pills  

Your fertility clinic will need to synchronize your cycle using birth control pills to align with your embryo transfer date.   

The fertility professional you work with will guide you on precisely when to start and stop taking birth control medication.  

Step 2: Lupron Injections  

Following birth control pills, injections of Lupron, which are required for a little less than a month, inhibit and moderate the hormones associated with your natural menstrual cycle.  

Lupron also syncs your cycle with the intended mother or egg donor to temporarily halt premature ovulation.  

Even though Lupron is self-injected, your fertility specialists will describe the process and fully prepare you to administer the medication accurately.  

Side effects of surrogacy medication such as Lupron can include hot flashes and potential sensitivity to light and sound.  

Remember, you can always get more information on surrogacy medications like Lupron by connecting with a professional.  

Step 3: Estrogen  

Adding estrogen into the surrogacy medication timeline is step three.  

Typically, in pill form or a patch, you’ll begin taking estrogen twice a day, roughly two weeks after starting birth control and Lupron.  

Estrogen can cause side effects of surrogacy medication such as increased vaginal discharge, breast tenderness and other side effects you’ve experienced with previous menstrual cycles.  

Step 4: Testing and Transvaginal Ultrasound  

After about 22 days, an appointment is scheduled for a transvaginal ultrasound to check the thickness of your uterine lining and possibly bloodwork to check your estrogen levels.  

Depending on these test results, you will either move forward to the next step or continue taking your current gestational surrogacy medications until the uterine wall thickens and your estrogen levels increase.  

Step 5: Progesterone Injections   

Approximately five days before the embryo transfer is to take place, you’ll receive progesterone injections intramuscularly.   

Because of this type of injection, the shot can sting more, and the injection site gets rubbed to disburse the medication properly.  

After the embryo transfer is deemed successful, you’ll take progesterone injections until the 12th week of pregnancy.  

Side effects of surrogacy medication like progesterone can include rash around the injection site and headaches.  

Remember, you can get more information on these steps for surrogacy medications and any potential concerns over surrogate mother side effects by connecting with a surrogacy professional.  

Gestational Surrogacy Medications  

In addition to the above gestational surrogacy medications, you’ll potentially need to take some of these medications:  

Gestational surrogacy and its success rely heavily on the careful administration and coordination of gestational surrogacy medication.   

The consistency in the schedule for taking these medications is essential and should be considered when considering becoming a surrogate.  

You can find more information on the various injections during in vitro fertilization here.  

You can also find important tips for ensuring that you’re correctly and consistently taking your surrogacy medications by visiting this website.   

Working with your partner, spouse, family member or close friend to help administer these important surrogacy medications is something to consider if you have concerns about the surrogacy medication timeline.  

Surrogacy Medications FAQs  

As a prospective surrogate mother, you likely have plenty of questions. Researching and learning as much about the surrogacy process as possible is crucial to making the best decision for you.  

Here are some frequently asked questions about surrogacy medications.  

What are some of the side effects of a surrogate mother?  

Depending on which medications you take, side effects such as headaches, rashes, increased breast tenderness and other menstrual cycle-related side effects are common.  

The potential for these side effects also varies from person to person. It’s important to talk to your fertility professional about the potential for any side effects and how they may impact you depending on your specific surrogacy medication timeline.  

Do you have to take medicine for IVF with surrogacy?  

Yes. Every gestational carrier in surrogacy must take specific surrogacy medications on a specific schedule to ensure the pregnancy is safe, healthy and gives everyone the best chance of successful surrogacy.  

If taking gestational surrogacy medication is something you’re unwilling to do, surrogacy may not be the right option for you.  

Do surrogates have to have shots?  

Yes. Specific shots are needed, and it’s best to self-administer these medications based on your specific surrogacy medication timeline.  

Do surrogates have to take hormones?  

Yes. Hormones are essential in controlling your cycle and preparing your body for embryo transfer, successful implantation and the overall health and viability of the pregnancy.  

Is there preparation before the procedure to become a surrogate?  

Yes. The initial hormone injections and other early medications described above serve as the important preparation process for your body.   

The success of embryo transfer, implantation and the pregnancy’s health depends on the specific preparation you’ll go through based on guidance from your fertility professional.  

More information and answers to your important surrogacy medication questions are just a click away! You can speak to a surrogacy professional by filling out this online contact form.  


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