- HIV Positive Intended Parents
Choosing to be a Surrogate Mother for an HIV positive Intended Parent may be a difficult decision that you will have to think through. This is not a decision that anyone can make for you. It is reassuring to know that your health and safety are not at risk when carrying a child for an HIV positive Intended Parent.
Using Sperm From an HIV-Positive Man to Create an Embryo for Surrogacy
In 1992, specialists began washing semen from HIV-positive men for insemination in HIV-negative women. Since then, these techniques have advanced significantly, in addition to the development of fully suppressive HIV regimens and the ability to measure HIV in the blood.
Can I Contract HIV Through Surrogacy if My Intended Parents Are HIV Positive?
To date, there have been no cases of HIV being transmitted to an HIV negative person as the result of an embryo transfer. This includes all information dating back to the time frame prior to scientific advances allowing doctors to monitor HIV in the blood and fully suppressive HIV regimen.
In studies of over 4000 cases of HIV-positive sperm being used for intrauterine insemination, IVF, and ICS there has not been one instance of an HIV negative gestational carrier contracting HIV.
2. Hepatitis B Intended Parents
Hepatitis B is the world’s most common liver infection that affects nearly 70% of all Asian populations throughout the World – with 240 million people infected worldwide. While hepatitis B is not as common in the United States, the ONLY way to get the hepatitis B virus is to come into contact with infected blood or bodily fluid. Hepatitis B is not spread through food, water, or casual contact.
Can I Contract Hepatitis B Through Surrogacy if My Intended Parents Are Hepatitis B Infected?
There is no evidence that hepatitis B can be passed to a gestational surrogate from embryos created with eggs / sperm from an infected individual. The risk to the Surrogate is essentially zero. Most doctors will, however, ensure that gestational surrogates are vaccinated according to proper protocol as a precautionary measure only, although this is not required.
What precautions can I take as a Surrogate if my Intended Parents are carriers of Hepatitis B?
Prevention is the key with hepatitis B, which is why your doctor will likely treat you with the hepatitis B vaccination before you start your surrogacy journey, as hepatitis B is completely preventable through vaccination.
