MRKH IVF SURROGACY

1. MRKH & IVF SURROGACY National Centre for Congenital Abnormalities of the Genital Tract Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital Gillian Rose Keith Edmonds Julie Quek

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. THE LEGAL ISSUES 2 Acts of Parliament regulate surrogacy: Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985 Section 30 of Human Fertilistion and Embryology Act 1990

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. FURTHER INFORMATION COTS (Childlessness Overcome Through Surrogacy) Lairg, Sutherland IU27 4EF Tel: 0844 414 0181 AP/FAX: 01549 402777 www.surrogacy.org.uk SURROGACY UK PO Box 24, Newent GL 18 1YS Tel: 01531 821889 (10am-2pm) E-mail: admin@surrogacyuk.org www.surrogacyuk.org

13. Normal Pelvis