Surrogacy: What is cycling?

Surrogacy is no longer a “new” method of building a family. As the surrogacy agency with the largest surrogacy program in California as well as in the U.S., we can testify that Intended Parents choosing surrogacy program to complete their families has increased significantly. However, many people still don’t know much about the gestational surrogacy process and what it entails for Surrogate Mothers. In this blog, we will be looking at cycling, what it means, and the key part it plays in the surrogacy process.

What is Cycling in the Surrogacy Process?

Cycling is one of the many different steps involved in surrogacy. The Surrogate Mother and the Egg Donor need to synchronize their cycles once both parties have completed their tests and finalized their contracts. Typically, experts perform it using oral contraceptives (cycle suppression pills). Nearly two weeks into taking the cycle suppression pills, both the Egg Donor and the Surrogate will start using Lupron. It is a self-injected medication that temporarily “shuts down” the production of hormones that control the menstrual cycle. It helps to make sure that the Surrogate’s womb is ready to receive the embryos when it is time.

The Surrogate

During the surrogacy Process, the Gestational Surrogate Mother is usually seven or more days ahead of the Egg Donor. It makes sure that their womb is ready when it’s time to harvest and fertilize the eggs. The reason is that the Surrogate Mother can remain in waiting for up to 14 days once her womb lining is in the best condition. Once the menstrual period starts while taking lupron, the dose of the medication typically comes to a halve. It is at this point that the Surrogate will start Estrogen replacement in the form of shots, patches, or pills. Doctors may also ask the Surrogate mother to take antibiotics to prevent infections. Experts use Dexamethasone to suppress androgens (male hormones), and other drugs, depending on the individual.

The Egg Donor

The Egg Donor will start taking injectable reproductive hormones on day 3 of her menstrual cycle. It stimulates her ovaries and makes them produce several eggs rather than the usual 1 or 2 eggs. The donor will continue to take these fertility hormones anywhere from 7–12 days, based on her response to the hormones.

During this time, the Surrogate needs to stay in close monitoring. They are going to be examined approximately thrice a week via blood tests and ultrasound as it helps to know how they are responding to the fertility hormones. When the donor’s follicles reach between 18 and 22 mm in diameter, the surrogacy process donor will receive a trigger shot. This shot will increase the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), which will help mature the eggs. Thirty-six hours after the donor has received the trigger shot, the egg retrieval will take place. The retrieved eggs will then undergo fertilization with sperm from the donor or the intended father. Once fertilized, the eggs are incubated in the lab for between 2 to 5 days.

The Surrogate then stops taking Lupron, usually the day before the egg retrieval takes place. On the retrieval day, she will begin Progesterone replacement in the form of injections, suppositories, or Crinone gel. It will go on until week 12 of the pregnancy or until a negative pregnancy test takes place. Estrogen replacements continue until the placenta starts producing the hormones, which is usually in the 12th week of pregnancy. As mentioned, the Surrogate Mother was taking Lupron, which shuts down hormone production. So, they will have to take exogenous hormones to maintain the pregnancy.

Why choose Physician Surrogacy for the Process

If you are looking for the right surrogacy agency, Physician’s Surrogacy is the most ideal choice! We care about our Intended Parents and their journey towards building a family! Moreover, we offer our Surrogate Mothers and Intended Parents, many other services and resources, which separate us from other surrogacy agencies out there.

Our Staff

Our staff consists of past Gestational Surrogates and Egg Donors. It means that we understand your concerns, comments, and questions related to the surrogacy process. We have been there, and we want to advise and guide you through each and every step of the way.

Compensation

With Physician’s Surrogacy maintains complete transparency about how much Surrogate Mothers get paid. an escrow account will be holding the compensation for the Gestational Surrogate. We also ensure that the Intended Parent’s permission is not needful to pay or reimburse our Surrogate Mothers.

The Surrogacy Process with Best Care & Support

We support all of our Intended Parents and Surrogates. Our support is available 24/7 via phone for all questions or concerns you may have.

Want to know more about the Process before commencing on a journey to become a Parent via surrogacy? Please contact us today to schedule a free consultation if you are planning to become a Parent through surrogacy. Whether you would like to learn more about how our Surrogates have medical pre-screening before we present them to you, or if you would like more information about surrogacy, you can reach us at 858-345-3273 with any questions or visit us at www.PhysiciansSurrogacy.com.