Understanding the goal
Choosing a gestational carrier is a deeply considered decision, often made after other paths to pregnancy have been explored or ruled out for medical reasons. Our role is to clarify whether a GC is medically appropriate, help you understand the sequence of steps, and coordinate closely with reproductive attorneys and agencies so the medical and legal pieces move in step with one another.
Whether you are pursuing this option due to a uterine condition, a history of pregnancy loss, or a health concern that makes carrying a pregnancy unsafe, the goal is the same: building your family safely, with a carrier who is well-matched, well-informed, and well-supported.
What we evaluate first
Before any matching or legal work begins, we complete a focused medical evaluation to confirm gestational surrogacy is the right path and to prepare your embryos.
- Underlying diagnosis review (uterine factor, fibroids, recurrent pregnancy loss, cardiac or other medical contraindications to pregnancy)
- Ovarian reserve and egg or embryo quality assessment if new IVF cycles are needed
- Genetic carrier screening for intended parents and, when applicable, donors
- Uterine and overall health history to confirm the basis for pursuing a carrier
- Coordination needs with mental health professionals and legal counsel
How the plan is built
Once the medical picture is clear, the plan branches into two parallel tracks that must ultimately align: building embryos, and identifying and clearing a carrier.
Embryo creation and preparation
If you have not already done so, IVF is used to create embryos from your eggs and sperm, or with donor eggs, sperm, or both, depending on your circumstances. Embryos are typically frozen and genetically screened as needed while the carrier search proceeds, allowing both tracks to move without one delaying the other.
Carrier matching and cycle synchronization
Carriers are sourced through an agency or, less commonly, through an independent known match, and undergo medical, uterine, and psychological screening. Once a carrier is cleared and legal contracts are finalized, her cycle is medically synchronized with the embryo transfer timeline, culminating in a single embryo transfer as the default approach to minimize risk.
Success factors and honest expectations
Success depends heavily on embryo quality, the carrier's uterine receptivity and health, and precise cycle timing. Most journeys take longer than patients initially expect, not because of medical delay but because legal and matching timelines run on their own schedule.
We are candid throughout: transfer success rates mirror those of IVF generally and are influenced most by embryo quality and maternal (or donor) age at egg retrieval, not by the fact that a carrier is involved.
Cost, insurance, and timing
Gestational surrogacy is a significant financial undertaking, encompassing IVF or embryo costs, agency fees, carrier compensation, legal fees for both parties, and insurance review for the carrier's pregnancy coverage. Insurance rarely covers surrogacy-related costs directly, so early financial planning matters.
Timelines commonly run 12 to 18 months from initial consultation to embryo transfer, factoring in matching, legal contract finalization, and cycle synchronization. We help you sequence medical steps efficiently so you are not waiting on us while other pieces come together.
Emotional support and partner involvement
This path often carries complex emotions, including grief over the path not taken and anticipation about a new kind of pregnancy experience. We encourage both partners, when applicable, to be involved in appointments and decision points, and we recommend working with a mental health professional experienced in third-party reproduction, which is also typically required as part of the process.
Building a respectful, clear relationship with your carrier, grounded in the legal agreement but sustained by good communication, is one of the most important predictors of a smooth journey.
Working with Dr. Ghadir
Dr. Ghadir has guided many intended parents through gestational surrogacy, coordinating closely with California-based reproductive attorneys and reputable agencies to keep the medical and legal timelines aligned. He will be direct with you about your specific medical rationale, realistic timeframes, and embryo quality considerations, while making sure every question about the process is answered before you move forward.
What to expect
- 01
Initial consultation
Review your medical history and confirm gestational surrogacy is medically appropriate for your situation.
- 02
Embryo creation
Complete IVF using your own or donor gametes, with embryos frozen for future transfer to the carrier.
- 03
Carrier matching and legal contracts
Work with an agency or independent match; attorneys finalize agreements for both parties before any transfer.
- 04
Carrier screening and cycle sync
The carrier completes medical clearance and her cycle is synchronized to the embryo transfer plan.
- 05
Embryo transfer
A single embryo transfer is performed into the gestational carrier under close monitoring.
- 06
Pregnancy handoff and delivery
We coordinate with the carrier's OB and your legal team through delivery and parentage finalization.
Frequently asked
Is gestational surrogacy legal in California?
Yes. California has some of the clearest, most surrogacy-friendly laws in the United States, including established procedures for pre-birth parentage orders that name intended parents on the birth certificate without requiring adoption. This legal clarity is one reason many intended parents, including those from other states and countries, choose California for their surrogacy journey. We work alongside experienced reproductive attorneys to ensure every contract and order is properly filed before and after transfer.
Do we need to use an agency?
Not necessarily, but most intended parents benefit from agency support for identifying, screening, and matching with a carrier, as well as managing logistics and escrow. Independent matches with a known carrier, such as a family member or friend, are possible but still require full medical screening and independent legal representation for both parties. We can work with either approach; our focus is ensuring the carrier is medically cleared regardless of how the match was made.
How many embryos are transferred at once?
We recommend single embryo transfer as the default standard, both for gestational carriers and for intended parents generally. This approach significantly reduces the risks associated with twin or higher-order pregnancies, which are higher for the carrier and for the babies. If you have multiple high-quality embryos, remaining ones are frozen for potential future use.
What medical conditions typically lead to using a gestational carrier?
Common indications include an absent, malformed, or surgically removed uterus, significant fibroid disease that cannot be adequately treated, a history of recurrent pregnancy loss despite treatment, or a medical condition such as significant cardiac disease that makes pregnancy unsafe. We review your full history to confirm the recommendation is medically grounded before moving forward.
How is the carrier's cycle synchronized with our embryo?
Once a frozen embryo is ready and the carrier is medically cleared, she undergoes a hormone preparation protocol that builds and times her uterine lining to match the developmental stage of the embryo. This is closely monitored with bloodwork and ultrasound, and the transfer is scheduled precisely once her lining and hormone levels are optimal.
Can we use donor eggs or sperm along with a gestational carrier?
Yes. Many intended parents combine a gestational carrier with donor eggs, donor sperm, or both, depending on individual circumstances such as ovarian reserve, genetic considerations, or family structure. These elements are planned together from the start so genetic screening, legal agreements, and cycle timing all align appropriately.
How long does the whole process usually take?
Most journeys take approximately 12 to 18 months from initial consultation to embryo transfer, largely due to the time required for carrier matching, screening, and legal contract finalization rather than the medical steps themselves. We sequence the medical portions efficiently so they are ready whenever the legal and matching timeline concludes.