Carrying Twins or Triplets in Surrogacy
Current IVF trends have moved toward Single Embryo Transfer (SET), a trend we wholeheartedly support! But some gestational carriers are still willing to allow transfer of two embryos, which increases the chance of a multiples pregnancy. Carrying twins or triplets during a surrogacy journey is an incredible way to help someone start their family or even help them complete it. There are a few things that are different when carrying multiple babies.
Pregnancy is a wonderful experience, and women from all over the world do it all the time, but carrying multiples can put you at a higher risk. While being a gestational carrier with multiples, you will have additional monitoring, which means additional appointments and a greater time commitment. It can be quite exhausting on your body. Women who have carried twins say there were twice as tired, twice as hungry and twice as nauseous. Now this is the case for all women, but be prepared that if you are blessed with carrying multiples, it’s a more complicated journey. There is a very good chance you’ll be put on some sort of bed rest at some point while your body gets ready to have a safe and healthy birth. The health risks to you as well as the babies you’re carrying are increased as well. There is also a greater chance that you will deliver early, and the babies may require some time in the NICU. You’ll need some additional help while carrying multiples, so have some friends and family that are ready to help you. You may want to think of creative ways to reduce your daily chores such as having your groceries delivered or maybe someone that can come in and help with housework.
There is an increase in compensation if you’re carrying multiples. Although there is some variance between agencies, that amount is generally $5,000 to $7,000 per extra baby you are carrying. While the compensation is higher when carrying more than one baby, you’ll want to consider the potential risks and differences between a singleton and multiple pregnancy. Be sure to discuss all of this with your healthcare provider, your agency and the intended parents before you make this very important decision.
If you make the decision to transfer more than one embryo, and potentially carry more than one baby, be sure you know it’s up to you to attend all of the appointments you’re told to, let them poke and prod as necessary, rest your amazing body and take in all of the good food you can because you are growing two tiny people inside you. Everyone will be excited and even more nervous for this journey. If you need additional support or help finding resources, reach out to your agency. Even with your feet up creating life, you can still connect with the other gestational carries via the internet, especially those carrying multiples like yourself.