The Commissioning Couple
The surrogacy process may be considered by a “Commissioning” woman:

• who has functioning ovaries but no uterus;

• who has reproductive tract malformations;

• who is incapable of carrying a pregnancy for medical reasons;

• who has had many unsuccessful attempts at IVF and embryo transfers; and

• who has history of repeated miscarriage.

The evaluation of the infertile couple for gestational surrogacy includes:-

1. A complete medical history from both partners by their own gynaecologist;

2. An assessment of commissioning couple and surrogate and the surrogate’s partner by two counsellors, one counsellor from the Canberra Fertility Centre and an independent counsellor;

3. Any dependent children over the age of four of either couple will also require an assessment by an independent counsellor only;

4. Assessment and physical examination of the commissioning mother and the surrogate mother by
our surrogacy specialist; and

5. A legal report by a lawyer in the state where the baby will be delivered.

6. Statuatory declarations to state surrogacy of a non commercial basis.

Blood screens—Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis C, HIV, Antibodies, Rubella, Blood Group and antibodies, and any blood tests showing reproductive hormone levels.

These reports are then brought by our surrogacy specialist to the Ethics Committee, which assesses each case individually. There is a period of three months termed a “cooling off period” that begins after the interview with the clinic’s counsellor and surrogacy specialist, before any treatment can begin.

The Surrogate
The ideal surrogate:

• is between 25-37 years of age;

• has previously carried a pregnancy to term without complications;

• does not abuse any drugs such as alcohol, cigarettes or marijuana;

• if she is sexually active, has a monogamous relationship;

• is healthy, having no known illnesses such as diabetes etc;

• is not Rh sensitive (i.e. sensitivity to antibodies that could jeopardize the health of the foetus and the surrogate); and

• Is known or related to the commissioning couple.

The IVF treatment for Surrogacy involves these main stages:

1. Exact timing of collection of oocytes;

2. The collection of the oocytes from the commissioning female;

3. Fertilisation of the oocytes that may become embryos;.

4. Freezing of suitable embryos; and

5. Subsequent transfer of the embryo/s into the uterus of the gestational surrogate.