Gestational Surrogacy — Building Your Family with Compassion & Expertise
If you’re unable, for medical reasons, to carry a pregnancy yourself, Bay IVF offers a clear, caring, and customized Gestational Surrogacy journey.
Gestational Surrogacy is when an embryo created via IVF — using your eggs or donor eggs and your sperm or donor sperm — is transferred into a surrogate (gestational carrier) who carries the pregnancy for you.
Who Might Consider This Path?
You may explore gestational surrogacy if:
- Women with a previous hysterectomy
- Medical conditions that make being pregnant too risky.
In your consultation, we’ll review your full medical and fertility profile — your own eggs/sperm or donor, uterine evaluation, surrogacy agency options — and help you decide if this is the right strategy for you.
Our Approach at Bay IVF — Personalized, Transparent, Honoring You
- Boutique, hands-on care: You’ll work directly with Dr. Polansky and our dedicated team, not a rotating cast of providers.
- Surrogate coordination: We work exclusively with proven agencies and pre-screened gestational carriers to match your values and needs.
- Clear roadmap & cost clarity: We’ll explain the cycle’s timeline, your responsibilities, surrogate expenses, legal and medical steps — so you’re informed and comfortable.
- Quality & outcomes focus: From IVF to transfer, we arrange each step to maximize your success while supporting your emotional journey.
- You can select a surrogate from one of the many Surrogacy Agencies available. To assist you in selecting a surrogate, please refer to the Gestational Surrogacy Guidelines (PDF).
What the Gestational Surrogacy Process Looks Like
Ovarian stimulation (Intended Mother or Egg Donor)
The treatment is always individualized to maximize the probability of a successful outcome. You will receive your personalized ovarian stimulation calendar.
Egg retrieval procedure
The egg retrieval procedure is performed at our Clinic. The procedure typically takes only a few minutes, and we use conscious sedation for comfortable analgesia.
Fertilization of eggs
On average, eight to fourteen eggs are retrieved during the egg retrieval procedure. Once identified, the eggs are combined with sperm and placed in petri dishes filled with culture medium.
Culture of embryos
Evidence of fertilization can be seen the next day, approximately 16 hours after insemination. The fertilized eggs are then transferred into a growth medium and continue to be cultured in our laboratory.
Embryo cryopreservation
All normally developing embryos are cryopreserved (vitrified).
Embryo storage in liquid nitrogen
After cryopreservation, the embryos are transferred to a liquid nitrogen storage chamber at our Clinic. Theoretically, there is no limit on the length of storage.
Subsequent Frozen Embryo Transfer
Once you decide to use your cryopreserved embryos, one or two embryos will be thawed and transferred into the surrogate’s uterus (Frozen Embryo Transfer).
Considerations & Key Questions
Gestational surrogacy offers a powerful option but comes with important considerations:
- Legal & ethical issues: Surrogate contracts, parental rights, jurisdictional/legal variations.
- Cost & time: Surrogacy tends to be more complex and time-intensive than standard IVF; you’ll want a detailed cost estimate.
- Emotional journey: Matching with a surrogate and navigating a non-traditional path can raise unique feelings; our team supports you throughout.
- Still medically intensive: Your success still depends on embryo quality, uterine preparation, and lab performance — surrogacy helps the “carrying” factor but not all fertility factors.
Why Bay IVF Is Right for You
- We are a Bay Area boutique clinic with deep surrogacy experience and individualized care.
- You’ll benefit from transparent communication — we’ll explain every step in plain language and answer your questions openly.
- We coordinate closely with surrogate agencies, legal professionals, and support services so you have a unified team backing you.
- We honor the full spectrum of families: heterosexual couples, same-sex, single parents, donor, or your own gamete options.
Take the Next Step
Your journey starts with a conversation. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
- Call or text us at 📞 650 322 0500 to schedule your in-person or complimentary video consultation with Dr. Polansky.
- We will discuss your family-building vision and whether gestational surrogacy aligns.
- Review your fertility profile, surrogate agency partnership, and timeline.
- Provide a clear roadmap with visits, legal/medical steps, cost, and next actions.
There’s no obligation — just an honest conversation about your path forward. Let’s begin together.
Bay IVF Early Pregnancy Heartbeat
Prerequisites for Gestational Surrogacy
Only a few treatment prerequisites are required before your treatment begins. They assess the egg and sperm quality and ensure that embryos can be accurately placed in the surrogate’s healthy uterus.
Intended Mother’s age
The probability of a successful Gestational Surrogacy treatment becomes exceedingly low by age 44. The intended mother must be 43 and 11 months or younger when the Gestational Surrogacy treatment begins. Patients who are 44 and older should strongly consider a combination of Donor Egg IVF and Gestational Surrogacy as the most effective treatment option to achieve a successful pregnancy.
Intended Parents’ Age in Donor Egg IVF and Surrogacy
To minimize age discrepancies between intended parents and their future offspring, both intended parents must be under 50 years old at the start of their treatment at Bay IVF.
Pathogen testing
This testing is required by the State of California and the FDA. You, your partner (if applicable), and the surrogate must be tested for Hepatitis B-Surface Antigen, Hepatitis C-Antibody, HIV I&II, HTLV I&II (male partner only), RPR, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Ovarian Reserve Assay – ORA (Intended Mother or Egg Donor)
ORA assesses the likelihood of producing normal-quality eggs. It involves measuring Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), estradiol (estrogen, E2), and Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) blood levels.
These test results are used to optimize ovarian stimulation.
Antral Follicle Count (Intended Mother or Egg Donor)
The number of antral follicles (small fluid-filled sacs within the ovaries seen on ultrasound) in unstimulated ovaries is related to the quality of the eggs. Ideally, there should be approximately 20 antral follicles in both ovaries combined.
Uterine measurement and saline ultrasound (Surrogate)
It is important to determine the length of the uterus in order to ensure the correct placement of embryos.
A saline ultrasound is utilized to rule out the presence of intrauterine polyps or fibroids.
Semen evaluation
The male partner’s semen will be evaluated at Bay IVF to determine the best laboratory method for semen preparation for egg insemination.
Intended parents’ genetic testing (optional)
All prospective parents should consider genetic screening for hundreds of the most common genetic diseases. Please inform us during your initial appointment at Bay IVF if you would like to have your blood sample sent for genetic screening.
IVF diet and lifestyle
Environmental factors have a significant impact on reproductive health. Please review the IVF Diet and Lifestyle document (PDF) for a comprehensive list of environmental reproductive health recommendations and a source for dietary supplements.
The surrogate undergoes rigorous screening and medical evaluations, ensuring her physical and mental well-being.
Meet Your Doctor
- Dr. Frank Polansky completed his fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Stanford in 1985 and co-founded Stanford’s IVF program that year. He later established Nova IVF in 1987 and Bay IVF in 2011.
- At Bay IVF, he personally guides your treatment and performs your ultrasounds, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer. You work with the same doctor throughout your care, with time to discuss your questions and next steps.
Frank Polansky, M.D.
Your First Conversation
Our patient coordinator will ask a few questions about your reproductive history and help arrange your consultation. You’re welcome to ask about appointments, treatment costs, and what to expect.
This is Erica
Erica helps you coordinate appointments and stay informed throughout your care.
Your Initial Visit at Bay IVF
Your first in-person visit is a chance to get to know us, discuss your goals, and understand your options. We’ll explain each step and make time for your questions.
When You Arrive
You will be welcomed by one of the clinic’s receptionists. One of our nurses will measure your height and weight and take your blood pressure.
Meet Your Doctor
Dr. Polansky will ask you a series of clarifying questions and then provide you with a summary of the factors contributing to your infertility.
Ask Your Questions
You will then have a discussion with him about the most suitable reproductive treatment(s) for you. During this time, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
Exam Room
One of the nurses will escort you to an examination room. Your examination will begin with listening to your lungs and heart.
Ultrasound of the Ovaries
The next step is a pelvic ultrasound to examine the uterus and ovaries. This ultrasound will help determine the number of antral follicles present within the ovaries.
Treatment Costs
After that, you will discuss the financial aspects of your treatment with one of the financial advisors, including potential financing options.
Questions After Your Visit
If you have any questions after leaving the clinic, please feel free to reach out to us by phone, text, or email. Open and discreet communication is an integral part of the care we provide at Bay IVF.
What About Time?
Your entire visit is expected to last approximately one hour.
Request Your Consultation
Meet with Dr. Polansky by video at no cost or schedule an in-person visit.
To get started, complete the form below. Our patient coordinator will call to answer your initial questions and arrange your appointment.
Prefer to call or text? 📞 650 322 0500
Let’s talk about your next step