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
A surrogate embryo-transfer cycle prepares your uterus to receive an embryo created through IVF. You do not undergo egg retrieval for this process, and your own eggs are not used. Your treatment focuses on the uterine lining and the timing of transfer.
The medication plan varies between patients. Your clinic should give you a written schedule, teach you how to use the medications and explain who to contact if a dose is missed or a problem develops.
1. Complete readiness steps first
Medical clearance, counseling, insurance review and the required legal preparation must be coordinated before treatment proceeds. The clinic checks that the embryo and its records are ready and that your health information is current.
Do not use a medication schedule from another surrogate as a substitute for your own. Similar-looking cycles can have different timing and support requirements.
2. Prepare and monitor the uterine lining
Some cycles use estrogen to develop the lining and progesterone to prepare it for the embryo. Other cycles follow ovulation, with monitoring and additional medication when indicated. The choice depends on your clinical circumstances and the physician’s plan.
Ultrasound and blood tests help guide readiness and timing. The lining measurement is one piece of information; the physician also considers the rest of the cycle. Occasionally a transfer is postponed because the conditions are not appropriate.
3. Follow progesterone timing carefully
Progesterone may be given by injection, vaginal medication or a combination, depending on the protocol. In a programmed cycle, the timing of progesterone exposure is closely coordinated with the embryo’s developmental stage.
Keep the written schedule accessible. If you miss a dose or are unsure whether it was taken correctly, contact the clinic promptly. Do not double a dose, change the route or stop treatment on your own.
4. Understand transfer day
Embryo transfer is usually a brief procedure performed without anesthesia. A thin catheter passes through the cervix to place the embryo inside the uterus, with ultrasound guidance. There is no egg retrieval or abdominal surgery involved.
The embryo cannot fall out when you stand or use the bathroom. Follow your clinic’s instructions about activity, travel and intercourse, but prolonged bed rest is not a proven way to improve implantation.
5. Continue care after transfer
The clinic schedules a blood pregnancy test, generally around one to two weeks later. An early home test may be misleading and should not determine whether you continue medication. A positive blood test leads to follow-up testing and ultrasound.
In a programmed cycle, hormone support is commonly continued into early pregnancy before the clinic directs a change. Stop or taper only according to your treatment instructions. Once appropriate, pregnancy care transitions to your obstetric team.
At BHB, we explain each stage so you understand the treatment you are undertaking. Contact us to learn about becoming a surrogate and the preparation involved.
