When choosing to become a surrogate mother, it is important to understand the surrogacy process and the various steps and requirements needed. In today’s blog we are going to be discussing the common medications a surrogate mother may be prescribed by their doctor.
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Understanding Surrogacy Medications
As a surrogate mother, the health of you and the to-be baby is of the utmost importance. That is why doctors, along with surrogate agencies, typically will advise on taking specific medications that are used to help ensure a healthy, issue-free pregnancy.
Below we have listed some of the most common surrogacy medications and also have provided some details as to the reasoning for being prescribed them.
Unlike a natural pregnancy that produces hormones to support growth, a surrogacy pregnancy requires a specific approach, wherein the process seeks to mimic a natural pregnancy. In partnership with Creative Love Egg Donor & Surrogacy Agency, gestational carrier are provided with a well-detailed plan. This plan includes the usage of surrogate medications to prepare the uterus for accepting the embryo and sustaining the pregnancy.
Several different surrogate medications are necessary to be administered, especially during the critical phase of preparing the uterus to accept the embryo for implantation. Unlike a traditional pregnancy where hormones are secreted naturally, these surrogate medications play a vital role in replicating that process artificially. This continues for several weeks until the placenta begins to secrete those hormones naturally. Though this may sound complicated, these medications are easy to take and are an essential part of the surrogacy process.
1. Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins are prescribed to surrogate mothers both before the embryo transfer and after. Just like if you were getting pregnant on your own, prenatal vitamins help deliver the appropriate vitamins and nutrients to your body through the transfer and throughout the pregnancy. Some surrogacy agencies might recommend specific brands of prenatal vitamins.
Of course, these are not medications. But every pregnancy compels us to make sure we are pumping enough nutrition into the body to ensure both a healthy baby and a healthy mother to carry it through to term. Surrogacy requires the same nutrition as any other pregnancy.
Possible side effects: [source]
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Bloating
- Gas
2. Lupron (Leuprolide acetate)
Lupron is given to the surrogate mother following the use of birth control. The purpose of Lupron is to help regulate your cycle and prevent your ovaries from ovulating prematurely. Just like with the use of birth control, this helps the fertility clinic ensure a successful embryo transfer.
This medication is used to turn off your body’s own natural stimulation to your ovaries. Lupron temporarily turns off your brain’s natural release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinzing hormone (LH), inducing a medical menopause. This medication is used in a way to help the doctor establish a baseline level or in other words a starting point. This is the first medication given to a surrogate other then birth control. Administration: Lupron is administered by subcutaneous (SQ) injection, meaning a small needle inserted under the skin. Side Effects: No long-term side effects have been reported.
Possible side effects: [source]
- Moodiness/Irritability
- Headache
- Hot Flashes
- Insomnia
- Local irritation at the site of the injection
Why Birth Control Pills?
It may sound strange but one of the first types of medication you might be prescribed happens to be birth control. Although the goal of becoming a surrogate is to ultimately deliver a baby to the intended parent/s, birth control pills are often times used by the fertility clinic in an effort to sync your cycle with the date of the embryo transfer.
The usage of birth control pills during the surrogacy process, including the time when to stop taking the pills, will be guided by the fertility clinic.
By partnering with fertility clinics across Florida, Creative Love ensures that all of these medications are explained at length. This helps in fostering a transparent and comfortable environment.
3. Estrogen (Estrace)
Estrogen is prescribed in order to help coordinate the surrogate mother’s cycle and help to maintain early pregnancy. This can be administered via pills, patch or through injection, all of which will be determined by your fertility clinic.
Estrogen isn’t technically a medication; rather, it is a hormone, and it helps maintain a stable pregnancy is the first trimester. You might be given Vivelle Patches (also known as “estradiol transdermal”), usually placed on the abdomen, delivering the hormone through the skin. However, estrogen can also be taken in pill form.
Possible side effects: [source]
- Breast tenderness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vaginal itching or discharge
- Bloating
- Freckles or darkening of facial skin
- High blood pressure
- Abdominal pain
- Hair loss
4. Vivelle Patches (Estradiol transdermal)
Estrogen is a hormone that helps maintain an early pregnancy.
Administration: Patches are placed on the abdomen and estrogen is absorbed through the skin. Estrogen can also be given in pill form.
Possible side effects: [source]
- Skin redness/irritation at the application site
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Headache
- Weight change
5. Progesterone (Progesterone/Prometrium/Endometrin/Crinone)
Progesterone is often times the final surrogacy medication given to the surrogate mother before the embryo transfer. This is prescribed to surrogate mothers to aid in preparing the uterine lining for implantation of the embryo.
Progesterone is a hormone that is necessary to prepare the uterus lining for the implantation of the embryo and to help support and maintain an early pregnancy. If a pregnancy is achieved, it will be taken for another 10 weeks until the placenta can naturally release this hormone to support the pregnancy. Administration is either in the form of a vaginal suppository or intramuscular injection.
Possible side effects: [source]
- Irritability
- Breast tenderness
6. Medrol/Methylprednisolone
Medrol is an optional medication that your clinic may prescribe that is used to increase the chances of a successful embryo transfer.
This steroid may be prescribed right before the embryo transfer to prevent inflammation of the uterus lining and preventing the body from rejection of the embryo. Administration orally taken in pill form.
Possible side effects: [source]
- sun sensitivity
- upset stomach
7. Doxycycline/Azythromicin/Tetracycline
This antibiotics is prescribed to treat any possible low-grade pelvic or prostate infection. This is given as a pre-cycle antibiotic to both the surrogate and partner. Administration orally. Taken in a pill form.
Possible Side Effects: [source]
- Varies per individual
- Sun sensitivity
- Upset stomach
8. Low Dose Aspirin
Assist with cycle stimulation and embryo implantation Typically this medication is used for the first trimester Administration 81-83 mg low-dose baby aspirin taken orally.
Possible side effects: [source]
- Upset stomach
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- heartburn
Side effects
You might wonder about side effects. There are three things we can safely say. First, there are many possible side effects across the array of medications and hormones. Second, these side effects are generally mild and temporary. Third, they will vary by person and so will their strength. Most surrogate mothers don’t feel any or almost any side effects.
Wendy Arker entered the field of infertility with a huge heart and passion to guild others on their quest to grow their own family after her personal journey with infertility and turning to egg donation and sperm donation to create her own family. Being a single-mother-by-choice, Wendy understands firsthand the unique way families are built. Whether you’re a married couple, single, or LBGTQ, Creative Love is committed to assisting you.
