By Dr. Arnold Mahesan
Fertility SpecialistBeverly Hills Babies
Dr. Arnold Mahesan is a board-certified fertility specialist with extensive experience in IVF, fertility treatment, and gestational surrogacy. He is committed to helping intended parents navigate their journey with personalized care and expert guidance
Medical screening asks whether another pregnancy appears appropriate for a potential surrogate. It includes more than confirming that she has delivered a baby before. Her obstetric records, current health and the condition of her uterus help us assess whether proceeding is reasonable.
At Beverly Hills Babies, I evaluate medical suitability before a candidate is presented as a potential match. That sequence reflects a simple clinical priority: understand the health questions before asking two parties to invest in a relationship.
1. The details of previous pregnancies matter
A pregnancy described as normal on an application can contain information that changes the recommendation. I want to know about blood pressure, diabetes, the timing of delivery, bleeding, placental complications and recovery. If a cesarean was performed, the reason and operative findings matter.
Records help us distinguish an isolated event from a condition that may recur. A previous complication does not always lead to the same decision for every candidate. Its severity, cause, treatment and relevance to another pregnancy need review.
2. Current health is assessed separately
Someone may have had an uncomplicated delivery several years ago and developed a medical condition since then. Review therefore includes current diagnoses, medications, blood pressure, relevant laboratory testing and lifestyle factors.
Body mass index is one consideration within that assessment. It does not replace a clinical history. Similarly, a normal laboratory result does not erase a significant prior obstetric complication. Screening works by interpreting information together.
3. The uterus needs its own evaluation
The uterine cavity is assessed before transfer, often with a saline ultrasound. This allows the physician to look for findings such as polyps, fibroids that affect the cavity or scar tissue. Further investigation depends on what the initial evaluation shows.
A previous successful pregnancy is reassuring, but uterine findings can develop afterward. The purpose of checking is to identify relevant issues before using an embryo, rather than assuming nothing has changed.
4. Screening includes more than the surrogate
The reproductive materials used to create the pregnancy also require appropriate review. Infectious-disease screening of egg and sperm sources and the documentation accompanying embryos are distinct from the surrogate’s own medical evaluation. These processes should be coordinated without treating them as interchangeable.
Psychological evaluation and counseling address another set of questions: understanding the arrangement, support, expectations and readiness for difficult situations. Medical clearance alone does not establish a complete match.
5. Clearance is a clinical judgment at a point in time
Screening reduces avoidable uncertainty; it cannot guarantee an uncomplicated pregnancy. New health information or an extended delay can require updated testing or reconsideration before transfer.
When comparing programs, ask what screening before matching actually means, who makes the medical recommendation and what remains outstanding. BHB can explain our evaluation process in consultation.
