7.1 Surrogacy Pregnancy Timeline: From Embryo Transfer to Delivery

At GSHC Surrogacy, we know that great journeys begin with trust, communication, and a clear path forward. Whether you're a first-time surrogate or an experienced intended parent, it helps to know what’s ahead.

This guide walks you through the key moments of a typical surrogacy pregnancy—so you can feel prepared, supported, and confident every step of the way.

1. Embryo Transfer Day

When: On scheduled transfer date
The process begins with the embryo transfer at the IVF clinic. The surrogate mother may be advised to rest and continue medications to support implantation and early pregnancy success.

2. Post-Transfer Monitoring & Pregnancy Confirmation

When: Begins ~10 days post-transfer; continues through weeks 3–4
The confirmation phase includes two beta hCG tests:

• First beta: ~10 days after embryo transfer
• Second beta: 2–3 days later to ensure rising hormone levels
  If all looks good, an early ultrasound around week 6 will confirm a heartbeat. Once everything is stable, the surrogate transitions out of the fertility clinic and into OB care.

3. OB Care & First Trimester Testing

When: 10–14 weeks
During this time, the surrogate begins regular OB visits. These may include:

• A full prenatal panel (blood and urine tests)
• Genetic screening, if requested by the intended parents
• A first trimester ultrasound and possibly an NT scan
• Baseline vitals and medical history review

4. Pre-Birth Order (Legal Process)

When to initiate: 12–20 weeks
Deadline: By 30 weeks
The pre-birth order (PBO) is a legal document that names the intended parents as the baby’s legal guardians. Your legal team starts this process early to make sure everything is in place well before delivery.

5. Second Trimester Testing

When: 16–24 weeks
Key second trimester tests include an anatomy scan (typically at 18-22 weeks), a glucose screening for gestational diabetes, and fetal echocardiograms or follow-up ultrasounds, if medically indicated.

6. Third Trimester Testing & Monitoring

When: 24–37+ weeks
As delivery approaches, third-trimester care may include:

• TDAP vaccine
• Group B strep test
• Growth scans (if needed)
• Non-stress tests (NSTs) or biophysical profiles (BPPs) - These are commonly ordered in surrogacy pregnancies to monitor the baby’s heart rate, movements, and amniotic fluid. Even in healthy pregnancies, doctors may schedule weekly or twice-weekly NSTs during the final weeks to ensure the baby remains well until delivery.

7. Additional Testing (As Needed)

When: Throughout the pregnancy
Every surrogacy is unique. GSHC may coordinate NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing), Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) consultations, and additional imaging if risk factors arise.

8. Communication & Updates

When: Ongoing
At GSHC, communication is key. We expect every surrogate mother to share OB visit summaries, notify us of any changes (insurance, providers, complications), confirm in-network status at each medical appointment and keep intended parents updated with important milestones.

9. Postpartum Care & Delivery

When: After delivery
Post-delivery, the surrogate mother will attend a 6-week OB follow-up. GSHC will help process and submit any final medical bills and close out the escrow account, as well as support emotional and logistical closure for both surrogate and parents

Why This Timeline Matters

This timeline isn’t just a checklist. It’s a shared map—for surrogates, intended parents, doctors, and case managers. It helps everyone move forward together, one step at a time.

At GSHC, we’re here to guide you through it all—with clear communication, expert care, and a team that truly understands how much this journey means.