Gestational Carrier

WELCOME TO CAROLINA CONCEPTIONS FERTILITY

The Carolina Conceptions Fertility Gestational Carrier program is currently being reviewed and improved! As we process these updates, please refer to these Surrogacy resources in the meantime:

VILLAGE SURROGACY – https://www.villagesurrogacy.com/ – Phone: 919-533-3080 – Fax: 919-726-4245
AWAIT SURROGACY – https://www.awaitsurrogacy.com/ – Phone: 864-671-1240 – Email: info@awaitsurrogacy.com
CIRCLE SURROGACY – https://www.circlesurrogacy.com/ – Phone: 617-439-9900
CARRYING HOPE SURROGACY – https://www.carryinghopesurrogacy.com/ – Phone: 828-553-6216
NY SURROGACY CENTER – https://nysurrogacycenter.com/ – Phone: 1-866-444-6972 – Email: office@nysurrogacycenter.com
GROWING GENERATIONS SURROGACY – https://www.growinggenerations.com/ – Phone: 323-965-7500 – Email: family@growinggenerations.com

Our Gestational Carrier Application is currently closed, we anticipate the application reopening in November 2025. We appreciate your patience as we work to update and streamline our processes!

Gestational carrier overview

A gestational carrier is a woman who carries a pregnancy for another couple or individual with an embryo that is not created using the gestational carrier’s eggs.
This is accomplished with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and means the child delivered and given to the intended parents is not genetically related to the gestational carrier.
Women or couples may consider using a gestational carrier when they want to have a child but have a medical condition that would prevent carrying a pregnancy safely.
A gestational carrier is also needed by a single male or a gay male couple desiring to have a child.
Our gestational carrier program matches fertility patients & gestational carriers.
The ideal gestational carrier is a healthy woman age 21-45 who has had a successful prior pregnancy.

Using a gestational carrier overview

A gestational carrier (GC) is a woman who carries a pregnancy for someone else but is not genetically related to the child because her pregnancy is achieved using an embryo created by the intended parents through in vitro fertilization (IVF).
It is essential for patients considering a gestational carrier to protect themselves with an attorney who specializes in local, reproductive law, and we can help with recommendations.
Intended parents can choose to use a family member or friend who meets the physical requirements of a gestational carrier, or they can view profiles of women who offer their services through Carolina Conceptions Fertility.
Once the gestational carrier has been chosen, the next step is to review her medical records, conduct a psychological evaluation and perform tests to clear her for pregnancy.
The carrier will then begin taking medications to prepare her uterus for surgical transfer of the embryo to achieve pregnancy.
While the GC is preparing to receive the embryo, the intended parents complete an IVF cycle (or obtain donor eggs and/or donor sperm), including egg retrieval and fertilization of the retrieved eggs.
Among 44 cases in 2023, patients using a GC at Carolina Conceptions Fertility achieved a success rate of 72.7%.
Among 25 cases in 2024 as of September, patients using a GC at Carolina Conceptions Fertility achieved a success rate of 84%.

What is a gestational carrier?

The term gestational carrier is often confused with the word “surrogate.” A traditional surrogate is a woman who becomes pregnant using her own eggs and delivers a child given to the intended parents. A traditional surrogate is therefore the biological mother of the child.

There are no laws recognizing traditional surrogacy in North Carolina, and therefore it is not a recommended form of treatment by Carolina Conceptions Fertility and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

A gestational carrier is a woman who carries a pregnancy for someone else using an embryo implanted via IVF. The embryo is created using the sperm and eggs of the intended parents or supplied through eggs , embryo or sperm donation. The carrier is not biologically related to the child she agrees to carry. She provides her uterus for the fetus to grow, and after she delivers, the baby legally belongs to the biological or intended parents.

According to ASRM, the ideal gestational carrier is a healthy woman, 21-45 years old, who has already had a successful, uneventful pregnancy and has gone through extensive medical tests, including evaluation of the uterus and her general health. It is also best that she has a family support system to help her cope with any stress from the pregnancy.

DID YOU KNOW?

Carolina Conceptions Fertility has gestational carriers ready to be matched with potential parents. Carriers have met strict criteria to be included. Each carrier is under the age of 38, has a BMI of less than 30, and has had a previous successful, term, uncomplicated delivery.

Who should consider using a gestational carrier?

A gestational carrier is required for any couple in which the female partner cannot carry the pregnancy herself. This may result from conditions in which the female partner has had her uterus surgically removed, such as in the case of cervical or uterine cancer or fibroids, or the uterus may no longer be functional, such as in the case of uterine adhesions/scarring (Asherman’s syndrome).

Single males, gay male couples and any couple without a female reproductive system also require a gestational carrier to have a child.

Some patients have medical problems that would make carrying a pregnancy very complicated, such as someone with a blood clotting disorder. As long as the ovaries from the female partner are intact and functional, there is a good possibility that eggs may be harvested and fertilized in the lab with the male partner’s sperm to create embryos. The embryos may then be placed into the uterus of the gestational carrier for her to carry.

Gestational carrier resources

Gestational Carrier Program & Process

Our gestational carrier program matches fertility patients & gestational carriers. Learn about screening, testing, the treatment process & legal considerations.

Using a Gestational Carrier

Learn about using a gestational carrier with fertility treatment, including what to expect and why to choose a gestational carrier.

How to Become a Gestational Carrier

Interested in becoming a gestational carrier? Learn why you should choose Carolina Conceptions Fertility to become a carrier & how to apply.

Gestational Carrier Application

Thank you for your interest in becoming a gestational carrier to help build families. Contact our third party team to apply today.

TESTIMONIALS

What They’re

Saying

For 6 years we tried on our own, not knowing what the problem may be. In 2017 we decided we needed help, so we reached out to Carolina Conceptions. With much help from Dr. Park and the amazing staff we were able to conceive via IVF. Our bundle of joy is now 2 weeks old. We could never thank you all enough for your kind words and support.

I could write a novel, however to sum this up … my husband and I went through every emotion possible. We tried anything and everything (from positions, medicines, etc.) and finally after 7 years of infertility, 2 miscarriages, and 3 IUIs later, Carolina Conceptions helped my husband & I get our rainbow baby! He’s now 2 months old (as of tomorrow) and I couldn’t be more thankful for every moment we’ve had with him. He’s the best thing to ever happen to us and is growing like a weed already. I remember the first moment we heard his heart beat and all the things we had to go through just to get to this point.

I was cleaning out my 6 month old’s dresser today and came across our “graduation gift” which was a baby hat and magnet. And it reminded me to write my review. So here it is. We are extremely grateful for Carolina Conceptions. Everyone there, from the receptionists to the Drs were so kind and empathetic to our situation. We had struggled for 2 years of unexplained fertility before this. We realize we were extremely blessed by getting pregnant on our first IUI try. It was a blessing to find a clinic like Carolina Conceptions. We now have a 6 month old (today!) and cannot believe how much joy he has brought to our lives. We will forever be grateful to CC for helping us through this process.

I am beyond grateful to Carolina Conceptions and Dr. Schointuch for helping me finally achieve my dream of becoming a parent after years of struggles with other fertility clinics. From day one, the staff was incredibly welcoming, professional, and supportive. They made me feel at ease and encouraged throughout every step of the process. The personalized care and attention I received gave me the confidence I needed during such an emotional journey. I can’t thank Dr. Schointuch and the entire team enough for making this dream come true. I highly recommend Carolina Conceptions to anyone struggling with fertility—they truly care and are amazing at what they do!