Surrogacy Dictionary

BMI is an indicator that attempts to quantify the amount of tissue mass (muscle, fat, and bone) in an individual, and categorizes that person as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese based on that value.

The female gamete or sex cell that contains the genetic information to be transmitted by the female.

The fertilized egg after it has begun the process of cell division.

The medical procedure where the embryo is placed inside the uterus.

When a sperm and an egg come in contact and an embryo is produced.

A sex cell that belongs to either a man or a woman that contains genetic information that passes along to their children.

A Gestational Surrogate is a woman who carries a pregnancy with a child who is not genetically related to her. She becomes pregnant through invitro fertilization, with an embryo that includes the father’s (or donor’s) sperm and the mother’s (or donor’s) egg.

A Gestational Surrogacy Agreement (GSA) is a legal document whereby intended parents, a gestational carrier (gestational surrogate) and her partner / spouse enter in an agreement.  The agreement states that the surrogate will have the intended parents’ child with no intention of keeping the baby.  All rights and obligations for all parties involved are included in the GSA.

A woman who carries and delivers a child without providing her egg, for another couple or person. This term is often abbreviated as GS or GC.

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after the baby’s birth.

The person who cannot become pregnant and/or complete a pregnancy and chooses surrogacy as their family creating option.

The first step of the Intended Parents’ Surrogacy Journey, where they present themselves to their future surrogate.

An intrauterine device or an intrauterine contraceptive is a small device inserted in a woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment where sperm is directly inserted inside a woman’s uterus.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproduction method that involves combining an egg with sperm in a laboratory.

Medical records are the documents that include your medical examinations, diagnosis and treatment history.

Identification document, much like a birth certificate, which designates the Intended Parents as the unborn baby’s parents.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys.

The male gamete or sex cell that contains the genetic information to be transmitted by the male.

Surrogacy is a family creating option in which a woman carries an embryo to full term for another couple.  Also see: Gestational Surrogacy & Traditional Surrogacy

A Traditional Surrogate is a woman who carries a pregnancy with a child who is genetically related to her. She becomes pregnant through Intrauterine Insemination (see definition) using the father’s (or donor’s) sperm.

Tubal Ligation is a contraceptive method where a woman’s fallopian tubes are tied, to prevent pregnancy.  This is also known as “having your tubes tied.”