Gestational Surrogacy at PCRM | Greater Vancouver & Edmonton

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Gestational Surrogacy in Canada

At PCRM, we understand the profound desire for parenthood and the unique paths that lead to it. Our surrogacy program is designed to offer hope, support, and expertise to those navigating the extraordinary journey of building a family.

A gestational surrogate, also known as a gestational carrier, is a woman who carries a baby on behalf of the intended parent(s). The gestational surrogate is not genetically related to the baby. This is different from ‘traditional surrogacy’, where the woman uses her own egg to produce the embryo for the intended parent(s).

Is Gestational Surrogacy Right for You?

A gestational carrier might be indicated when the intended parent(s) cannot carry a baby. This could be for a number of reasons, including:

Having a scarred or absent uterus
A history of recurrent miscarriages
The intended mother has serious health concerns that might make pregnancy dangerous
LGBTQ+ families

How Gestational Surrogacy Works

For a gestational carrier pregnancy, the intended parents produce embryos through an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle which are then transferred into the gestational carrier’s uterus. The resulting baby will have the genetic makeup determined by the sperm and the egg and will not be related to the gestational carrier.

The gestational carrier or surrogate can be a family member, a friend, or an acquaintance. Canadian law outlined in the Assisted Human Reproduction Act stipulates that people in Canada cannot be paid for sperm, eggs, or surrogacy services. This means that the person must be altruistic and only receipt-able expenses may be reimbursed. Legal advice from a firm specializing in third-party reproduction is recommended.

If you are considering building your family with a gestational carrier or surrogate, please ask to see one of our third-party reproduction coordinators.

Here is some additional information written by our PCRM doctors that you might find useful:

Huffington Post – Fertility options for every LGBTQ family out there
Huffington Post – Paying sperm and egg donors will help LGBTQ couples build families

Frequently Asked Questions About Surrogacy

To ensure the health and safety of your baby as well as the surrogates, gestational carriers must fulfill certain requirements, such as:
- 21 – 45 years old
- Normal reproductive history with at least 1 normal birth
- No serious medical or psychological conditions
- Normal infectious disease screening
- Body Mass Index (BMI) < 40
- Surrogacy agreement and counseling
Intended parents who use their own eggs and sperm to have a child through surrogacy are biologically related to the baby. The gestational carrier does not share a genetic connection with the baby.
No, gestational surrogates have no legal recourse to try and keep the babies they carry. They do not share DNA with the babies and have no parental rights.
The desire to become a surrogate out of altruism is a unique calling heard by women who strongly desire to help someone else achieve their dreams of parenthood. The women who choose to become surrogates are driven by a deep sense of compassion. As experienced mothers themselves, they typically feel very strongly about the importance of family and wish to give that gift to another family.

Schedule a Gestational Surrogacy Consultation

Our team welcomes the opportunity to discuss possible treatment paths with you, including gestational surrogacy.

Gestational Surrogate

Gestational Surrogacy in Canada

Is Gestational Surrogacy Right for You?

How Gestational Surrogacy Works

Frequently Asked Questions About Surrogacy

What are the criteria for a gestational carrier?

Is a surrogate baby biologically yours?

Can a gestational surrogate ‘change her mind’ and try to keep the baby?

Why would someone become a gestational surrogate?

Schedule a Gestational Surrogacy Consultation