Gestational carrier

A gestational carrier is a woman who carries a pregnancy for another woman. She does not provide a genetic contribution (ovum) to the pregnancy but provides strictly a pregnancy carrier service ("a rented womb") and hands the baby over to the biological mother at the conclusion of the pregnancy.

Terminology

A gestational carrier service is a form of surrogate motherhood, however there is a tendency now to limit the term 'surrogacy' to those services where both ovum donation and gestational carrier services are done together. A famous situation is the Baby M case that exposed certain legal and ethical risks. Egg donation itself is another example of third party reproduction.

Usage

Gestational carrier services may be needed in women who have normal ovarian function but have no uterus, be it the result of a congenital defect (i.e. Mullerian agenesis) or a hysterectomy at young age. Also, in some women, the uterus may be damaged from scarring (Asherman's Syndrome) or leiomyoma.

Carriers

Women who provide such services may be relatives, friends, or individuals specifically recruited through agencies who do this for a payment, but also altruistically. Careful screening is needed to assure their health. Generally it is advisable to secure the services through legal documentation. The gestational carrier incurs potential obstetrical risks.