Preparing for Third-Party Reproduction
As you prepare for treatment using a donor and/or gestational carrier, we have information to assist you in the process.
Recipient Expectations
In an effort to give you a rough timeline for treatment, we have included the following letter to help clarify the process. This process can take a minimum of three to four months to complete.
- First, your home office nurse will work with you and your partner to complete the necessary pre-IVF workup requirements and make sure they are current.
- Once the testing is complete and normal then you will be advised to consult with the Donor Coordinator for agency selection process. Then you will work with the agency to secure a donor/surrogate.
- Once a donor/surrogate has been secured, she will work with one of our IVF Donor Coordinators at our River North Clinic. They will ensure that all the necessary testing and appointments are completed.
- Once your donor/surrogate testing is completed and normal, the donor coordinator will contact you to review protocol, medication and a definite timeline for the IVF procedures.
This process can be very tedious and stressful. Remember that all of the above must be completed to proceed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your home office nurse prior to being matched with a donor/surrogate.
We are here to assist you in achieving your goal and will make every attempt to make this process as stress free as possible.
As you prepare for an IVF treatment cycle with your Gestational Carrier, we have prepared some information to assist you in the process. We have divided it into sections and it is very important that you follow the steps as they are listed to ensure a smooth transition.
Patient Instructions & Steps
- Call financial coordinator, regarding insurance coverage/financial responsibility specific to Third Party Reproduction.
- If you plan your cycle at River North IVF, please call Alex Santoyo at 312-222-8200 ext. 23016.
- If you plan your cycle at Highland Park IVF, please call Cindy Tracy at 847-266-3525.
- Schedule an appointment for patient and partner (mandatory) to meet with a Behavioral Health Specialist, Dr. Tiffany Edwards or Susan Rizzato: 877-324-4483.
- Arrange all required prescreen testing with your FCI home office. Your prescreen workup is to be current within 18 months and completed prior to the selection and match process for your third party donor and/ or surrogate candidate.
- Contact your Third Party Nurse Coordinator for a consultation to review the logistics of treatment and the third party donor and/ or surrogate process, after:
- Your prescreen workup completion has been completed (see attached list)
- You have received confirmation of insurance coverage.
- You have been informed of your IVF treatment protocol by either your physician or office nurse.
The following is a list of testing required for INTENDED PARENTS USING A GESTATIONAL CARRIER. This checklist must be completed for both female and male (if applicable) before a gestational surrogacy treatment cycle can be started. All workup must be completed before you confirm your gestational surrogate with FCI.
Required Tests
The following tests are needed based on the circumstances of your treatment.
Female (egg source) Intended parent with IVF stimulation
- Consult with FCI Physician (each IVF attempt).
- Normal Pap smear (within 1-3 years per Gyne medical recommendation).
- Cycle day 3 Labs: E2, LH,FSH
- Blood Type and RH
- Antibody Screen
- FDA Risk Factor Questionnaire & FDA History Profile (every 6 months).
- FDA physical exam with your FCI physician (every 6 months).
- 40 years of age and older: current mammogram.
The following Tests need to be updated every 18 months:
- CBC
- HIV 1 and 2
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
- Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total
- Hepatitis C
- RPR
- TSH
- Prolactin
- Urine or vaginal culture for GC/Chlamydia
- West Nile Virus, NAT
Female Intended Parent with No IVF Stimulation
The following Tests need to be updated every 18 months:
- HIV 1 and 2
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
- Hepatitis C
- RPR
- Urine or vaginal culture for GC/Chlamydia
Male (not Sperm Source)or Intended Parent
The following Tests need to be updated every 18 months:
- HIV 1 and 2
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
- Hepatitis C
- RPR
Male (sperm source)/Intended Parent
- Semen Analysis (annually).
- FDA Risk Factor Questionnaire Form (every 6 months).
- FDA Physical exam Form completed by PCP (every 6 months).
- FDA History Profile Form (every 6 months).
- Blood Type and RH
The following Tests need to be updated every 18 months:
- HIV 1 and 2
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
- Hepatitis B Core Antibody
- Hepatitis C
- CMV IgG and IgM
- RPR
- HTLV 1 and 2
- CMV IgG and IgM
- Urine for GC/Chlamydia
- West Nile Virus, NAT
Notice to Donors and Recipients
Freezing your sperm sample and FDA (7 day) additional labs required
You are required to have FDA (7 day) testing that will be completed at the time of your sperm freeze. This FDA testing appointment will be arranged by your third party Nurse Coordinator. You will need to contact your third party Nurse Coordinator for this sperm freeze appointment AFTER all the above workup is completed. Ask your FCI home office nurse for the name of your 3rd Party Nurse Coordinator – card should also be in folder.
Please be aware that insurance companies do not cover sperm freezing charge.
UPON COMPLETION OF ALL TESTING AS ABOVE AND CONFIRMATION BY HOME OFFICE NURSE THAT ALL RESULTS ARE NORMAL, PLEASE CALL YOUR THIRD PARTY COORDINATOR (APPROPRIATE CARD TO BE GIVEN BY HOME OFFICE NURSE).
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS/APPOINTMENTS ARE TO BE ARRANGED BY THIRD PARTY COORDINATOR ONLY.
