Gestational Surrogacy
What Is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is a method of reproduction in which a surrogate mother carries and delivers a child for a person or couple who cannot carry a pregnancy or have a child of their own. There are two types of surrogacy.
Traditional Surrogacy
A traditional surrogate has a biological link to the baby, and the child is usually conceived via artificial insemination. However, this method introduces legal and emotional risks as Texas law requires a 48-hour waiting period after birth before adoption.
Gestational Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy is when the surrogate does not use her own egg and has no biological relationship to the child she is carrying. Because Texas law makes traditional surrogacy difficult to pursue, gestational surrogacy is usually the preferred option.
Are You Considering Surrogacy? If you are seeking to grow your family and looking to surrogacy to make your dreams a reality, Houston Fertility Center can help arrange every aspect of surrogacy.
Roles in the Surrogacy Journey
A surrogate mother or surrogate is a woman who carries and delivers a child for a person or a couple who is unable to have a child of their own. The surrogate can be someone you choose via a surrogacy agency or someone you know.
The intended parent or intended parents are a couple or individual who is looking to build their family using a surrogate. Often the intended parents have a biological link to the child and the mother's egg and the father's sperm are used through IVF. However, the child can be conceived using a donor egg and donor sperm.
A donor in IVF and surrogacy is someone who donates either sperm or eggs. A donor is used when the intended parent cannot use their own sperm or eggs for a variety of reasons, such as medical, or when two men or two women wish to pursue surrogacy to grow their family.
Gestational Surrogacy Is a Promising Solution
Gestational surrogacy is a family-building option in which the surrogate has no genetic relationship with the baby. An egg is harvested from an egg donor (either the hopeful mother, someone the hopeful mother knows, or a donor arranged through an agency) and fertilized through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and implanted into the uterus of the gestational surrogate. This type of surrogacy is the only one permitted under Texas state law.
The Many Benefits of Surrogacy
Biological Link
Gestational surrogacy uses the donated eggs, sperm, or both from the intended parents to create an embryo. As a result, the intended parents may have a biological relationship with the child.Rigorous Screening
Gestational carriers must undergo rigorous screening before being approved for surrogacy. We screen each surrogate mother medically, physically, and psychologically to ensure they can successfully carry a baby to full term.Faster than Adoption
If you are unable to conceive, you have probably considered adopting. While adopting is a great option, the process is often very lengthy and can sometimes take years. Using a gestational carrier is much quicker and allows you to be directly involved in the process.Compassionate Care in a Private, Modern Setting
Here at Houston Fertility Center, we are dedicated to helping patients grow their families through the safest and most effective means. If you are considering using a gestational surrogate, we can conduct an in-depth consultation to determine if this is the right solution for you. We understand that every person is different and take the time to learn about your unique story to best support you. To request a consultation or learn more about using a gestational carrier, call our clinic serving Houston, Texas, at:
(713) 225-5375
"All of Her Staff Are Lovely and Amazing" Hear From Our Happy Patients
Jackee Lowery
2019
Dr. Kristiansen and her staff are amazing! If I could give more stars, I would. For my first appointment, I went by myself and Dr. Kristiansen was so warmly, and non judgmental on every question I’ve asked her. Every visit since then, my fiancé have gone with me and everytime, the staff would hold conversations with us and answer any and every question we’ve had. All of her staff is lovely and amazing. Her treatment plans work fast and she’s very affordable. I’m glad I’ve found her. Thank you❤️
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Carla Anguiano
2018
I was very pleased with this office. Prior to coming here I visited other fertility locations in Houston and I never felt welcomed. It was as if I was just a number to them and that was it. I got the run around about why i could not get a quote. When I came to Dr. Kristiansen it was different. The entire staff was very friendly and gave me so much information the I felt like I had all my questions answered. Including pricing. I will definitely be using Dr. Kristiansen for my treatment once my husband and I are ready.
View On GoogleWhy Choose Us?
Expertise
Dr. Kristiansen has dedicated her career to helping patients become parents. As a mother herself, she understands how life-changing having a baby can be and strives to make this a possibility for every patient. She has been providing fertility services to the Houston community since 1995.
Patient-Oriented
Our fertility clinic is committed to providing the highest level of care in a safe and compassionate environment. We understand that surrogacy can be a sensitive time that requires extra care and grace. Our staff is trained to support you through every aspect of your journey from start to finish.
Advanced Technology
We have our own full-service laboratory on-site utilizing the latest state-of-the-art technology and IVF techniques. This allows us to facilitate the entire gestational surrogacy medical process as well as cut down on the overall cost of treatment by doing everything on-site in Houston, TX.
What is IVF and how
is it used in surrogacy?
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IVF, short for in vitro fertilization, is a reproductive procedure in which an egg is fertilized by a sperm outside the body. Mature eggs are collected from the intended mother or from a donor and fertilized with sperm from the intended father or donor. During surrogacy at our Houston office, the fertilized eggs are then implanted into the uterus of the surrogate after undergoing PGT.
IVF Is Effective & Reliable
Grow Your Family Through Surrogacy
There are a variety of reasons patients may need a surrogate mother to grow their family. At our Houston, Texas fertility clinic, Dr. Kristiansen is experienced in helping patients achieve their dreams of parenthood through a gestational surrogate using state-of-the-art reproductive treatments and technology. After an initial consultation to discuss your unique situation, our team will help you determine if gestational surrogacy is the right choice for you.
We can help make your dreams come true. Call or request an initial consultation at Houston Fertility Center today.
(713) 225-5375
Who Can Benefit from Gestational Surrogacy?
Couples Struggling with Infertility
For couples who have tried fertility treatments with no success, gestational surrogacy may be the solution you've been looking for. If you have been let down by IVF cycles due to a failed embryo transfer or recurring miscarriages, surrogacy can fulfill your goal of having a baby.Women with Medical Reasons
Surrogacy opens up a door of possibilities for women who cannot have a child due to medical reasons. Women who had a hysterectomy or have been advised not to become pregnant can benefit significantly from surrogacy. If a woman has healthy ovaries, her eggs can be used to create an embryo that is transferred to the gestational carrier.Single Men or Women
Gestational surrogacy gives single men and women the unique opportunity to be parents and have a genetic link to their child. By providing their eggs or sperm to create an embryo at our Houston clinic through IVF, they can be biologically related to the child.LGBTQ+ Community
Our clinic believes that everyone deserves to be a parent. Surrogacy makes parenthood possible for members of the LGBTQ+ community. For example, gay couples can provide sperm samples and select an egg donor to use for fertilization. An embryo is created, and one of the men can have a genetic link to the child.How Do I Select a Surrogate?
If you choose to grow your family using gestational surrogacy, one of the most significant decisions you will make is who will carry and deliver your baby. Hopeful parents may want someone they know to serve as the surrogate, or they may wish to find a surrogate with the help of an agency. We collaborate with Prime Genetics and other surrogacy agencies that conduct a stringent screening process in order to select only the best gestational carriers.
"Amazing and constant source of support"
Emma Karko
2016
I don't think there could be a more compassionate and caring clinic than Dr Kristiansen's! Because of her and her fabulous team, I have 3 beautiful children. Her nurse, Mayra Lopez, has been with me through every step of this journey and has simply been an amazing and constant source of support.
View on GoogleWinston Blakely
2019
Dr Kristiansen changed our lives and everything is as it should be. Other doctors told us that it wouldn't happen, but we found success on our first round. We are truly blessed.
View on GoogleWhat Are Gestational Surrogates Screened For?
Medical History
A gestational surrogate’s entire medical history will be carefully screened to uncover any miscarriage risks or other complications that may hinder a healthy pregnancy. This may include laboratory testing, family history, and blood work to ensure the surrogate is healthy and can carry a pregnancy to term. If any risks are found, we will determine the best course of action and recommend that the intended parents select a new surrogate.
Emotional Health
Being a surrogate is a huge responsibility that can be emotionally challenging. The candidate will meet with a therapist to discuss the emotional issues of carrying a child for another family and ensure that the surrogate is capable of whatever relationship both parties agree upon, such as having no interaction with the child.
Previous Pregnancy
Ideally, a surrogate mother will have at least one previous pregnancy delivered at full term without any complications. It is also a tremendous benefit if the surrogate has carried for other parents. This can indicate that she can deliver a healthy baby without emotional distress related to giving the baby to the intended parent. The number of pregnancies a surrogate can previously have varies by agency, but generally, five previous pregnancies is the maximum allowed for the health of the surrogate and the baby.
Five-Star Reviews From Our Texas Patients
Ashley Davis
2021
Dr Kristiansen and her staff were absolutely amazing and informative throughout my whole process.
View on GoogleMiss Green
2018
Dr. K, The Embrologist, and her Nurses are a God Sent. After almost 20 years of trying they made my dreams come true. Thank You So Much
View on GoogleHandling All Your Surrogacy Needs
The key partners in the gestational surrogacy process are the surrogacy agency (if you do not use a known surrogate), your attorney, and your fertility specialist. We handle all of the financial transactions and facilitate all other interactions between all parties for an ethical and convenient process. Having helped achieve the successful growth of many families using this option, we are prepared to help make every aspect of surrogacy as stress-free as possible for everyone involved, especially the intended parents.
