Surrogacy During COVID-19 - IARC Surrogacy

During these unusual times, we recognize that many surrogates will have questions about how COVID-19 may impact their surrogacy journey. The good news is that even though COVID-19 is changing many aspects of our lives, parents and surrogates have been able to continue their family-building journeys together with some extra precautions taken to help keep everyone safe.

Research and recommendations related to COVID-19 are ongoing, but here are some key things we want to point out as you begin this process of helping another family through surrogacy.

IARC’s prescreening and matching of surrogates is continuing uninterrupted.
Our extensive list of intended parents waiting for a match are ready and eager to find their match and continue forward towards a pregnancy.
Final medical screening and embryo transfer procedures have continued since June after many clinics were closed March-May. Professional guidelines found here allowed clinics to reopen in June so long as the clinic is following prescribed precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
Many surrogates travel for fertility treatment (typically two trips; one for final medical screening and one for the embryo transfer) to the parents’ chosen clinic – information regarding air travel during COVID-19 can be found here. Please read fully but a few key points are:
- Because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses don’t spread easily on flights.
- Requirements can vary by airline but most are not seating passengers next to one another and are requiring all passengers to wear a mask at all times.
- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has increased cleaning and disinfecting equipment and surfaces at screening checkpoints.
A summary of research related to pregnancy and COVID-19 can be found here. As summarized by fertility physician, Dr. Daneshmand:
Currently, there is no evidence of transmission of the virus via eggs, sperm or embryos.
The information on pregnancy is limited, but it appears that pregnant women are no more likely than anyone else to have severe symptoms from the coronavirus.
Hospital visitor policies for hospitalization (labor/delivery, etc.) – each hospital makes their own policies, but currently most hospitals are allowing all patients one visitor. This means that the surrogates have one support person of her choosing for labor/delivery. The intended parents are also sometimes allowed in the delivery room or will be in a nearby room to receive baby when he/she is born.

IARC continues to support all of our parents and surrogates to provide a happy and secure journey for all. If you have any questions, please reach out to you IARC Coordinator.