MRKH & IVF SURROGACY

National Centre for Congenital Abnormalities of the Genital

Tract

Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital

Gillian RoseKeith Edmonds

Julie Quek

SURROGACY DEFINITIONS

FULL/HOST SURROGACY:Commissioning couple use IVF to create

embryos of own sperm/egg to replace in uterus of surrogate – commissioning parents are genetic parents

PARTIAL/STRAIGHT SURROGACY:Surrogate woman becomes pregnant by self-

insemination of intended father. Commissioning father and surrogate mother are genetic parents

QCCH/Hammersmith IVF Unit

Lead Consultants: Mr Geoff Trew and Mr Stuart Lavery

Infertility Counsellors arranged for all those involved to ensure full information and opportunity to talk through all aspects

No charge for counselling – 0208 383 8184

SCREENING TESTS

Blood Group, Rhesus typing Hepatitis B, C HIV, TPHA, CMV Chromosomes Cystic Fibrosis screening Ultrasound scan of uterus – surrogate Laparoscopy – commissioning mother for

ovarian accessibility ALL WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF TREATMENT

SCREENING & QUARANTINE

Embryos (like gametes –eggs and sperm) need to be frozen for 180 days before replacement into uterus for rescreening for viral infections

THE LEGAL ISSUES

2 Acts of Parliament regulate surrogacy:

Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985 Section 30 of Human Fertilistion and

Embryology Act 1990

THE LEGAL ISSUES Illegal to advertise to find or be a surrogate Illegal to receive payment for involvement in

surrogacy Only reasonable expenses paid to surrogate

(suggested up to max £12,000 & 2 year life insurance policy)

Agencies can assist so long as no payment for services

Woman who gives birth to baby is legal mother when born

Legal father at birth is surrogate’s husband, surrogate’s partner if consented, commissioning father if surrogate has no partner

THE LEGAL ISSUES

Not possible to enforce a surrogacy arrangement

The surrogate has the right to keep the baby

The commissioning couple can decide not to take the baby

Surrogate parents are legal parents until legal parentage is transferred to the commissioning couple

PARENTAL ORDERS

In order for commissioning parents to become legal parents, need Parental Order

Forms available from Family Proceedings Court/Magistrate’s Court or County Court in local area

If comply with HEFA, legal advice not necessary. Help from Parental Order Reporter

Legal Conditions for Parental Order

Child carried by woman other than commissioning mother and genetically related to at least 1 of the couple

Surrogate and husband/father must freely and unconditionally give consent

Consent > 6weeks < 6 months Commissioning couple must be married and both

>18 years old No money other than reasonable expenses

to surrogate Couple must be domiciled in UK and child living

with commissioning couple

Registration via Parental Order Entry in separate PO Register to re-register child. Cross-referenced with original entry in Register of

Births Public cannot access link Child > 18 years can have copy of original birth

certificate after offered counselling Intended parents receive new birth certificate

stating they are legal mother and father of child Until PO granted, surrogate can apply for

Residence Order to seek return of child

FURTHER INFORMATION COTS (Childlessness Overcome Through

Surrogacy)Lairg, Sutherland IU27 4EFTel: 0844 414 0181

AP/FAX: 01549 402777www.surrogacy.org.uk

SURROGACY UKPO Box 24, Newent GL 18 1YSTel: 01531 821889 (10am-2pm)E-mail: admin@surrogacyuk.orgwww.surrogacyuk.org

Normal Pelvis

MRKH Pelvis

MRKH Ovary

MRKH Laparoscopy

Ovarian Follicle

Egg Collection

Egg Collection