BIOS 256 Week 7 lab Commercial Surrogacy Class
Part A: Commercial Surrogacy Video in Class
What are the steps involved in IVF?
- Stimulating multiple follicles and eggs to develop by increasing LH and FSH levels
- Retrieving eggs from the ovaries
- Fertilizing the eggs in a laboratory
- Transferring the resulting embryos to the uterus
How would you define surrogacy?
Surrogacy is a process where a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another individual or couple who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. It can be achieved through the implantation of a fertilized egg or through artificial insemination.
BIOS 256 Week 7 lab Commercial Surrogacy Class
How can the process of surrogacy benefit couples who are unable to have children?
For couples who are unable to have children, surrogacy provides an opportunity to start a family and experience parenthood.
What factors may lead a woman to consider surrogacy?
Surrogacy may be considered by women who are unable to carry a child due to medical reasons. Additionally, it may be considered by couples who have had difficult or devastating pregnancies in the past, and surrogacy may be a safer option for them. Financial considerations may also play a role in a woman’s decision to become a surrogate.
What are the emotional aspects of the surrogacy journey for both couples and surrogates?
In the case of IVF, couples and families may have to undergo numerous medical procedures such as hormone injections, which can be emotionally taxing. The process may involve letdowns when implantation does not occur. Surrogacy involves different emotional aspects. If the pregnancy is unsuccessful, it can be just as devastating for the intended parents. However, for parents of a successful pregnancy, it is a fulfilling experience. For the surrogate, it can be overwhelming because they are carrying a child that they will ultimately have to give up. A case report from Tanzania details the delivery of a healthy baby girl following an abdominal pregnancy that went undetected by previous ultrasound exams.
BIOS 256 Week 7 lab Commercial Surrogacy Class
The woman’s 32-week-old fetus was found to be growing outside of her uterus, but within her abdomen. Abdominal pregnancies are rare and difficult to diagnose, even with ultrasound. Symptoms include painful fetal movements and gastrointestinal problems, and if doctors suspect an abdominal pregnancy, they must monitor the patient closely. Delivery of the baby often involves making an incision in the abdomen to remove the fetus, leaving the placenta to be absorbed by the body. In this case, the baby was healthy and delivered without complication. An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy where the fertilized egg settles and grows in any location other than the inner lining of the uterus. A pregnancy can implant in different sites including the fallopian tubes, abdominal cavity, cervix, or the ovaries. Risk factors for an ectopic pregnancy include older age in females, pelvic inflammatory disease that can lead to scarring, and a history of ectopic pregnancy.
Part B: Read the case study and answer the following questions.
The Concerned Expectant Couple: Prenatal Diagnosis of DS Melissa and David are expecting their first child. During their first prenatal visit with their obstetrician, Melissa raised the concern that David’s family has a history of Down syndrome. There have been two cases of DS in the family – one of them is David’s nephew and another a distant relative. Melissa wants to know the options available to find out if her baby has DS. Although they have decided to keep the baby no matter what, they still want to be better prepared in the event of the birth of a child with intellectual challenges. Here are some questions for you to discuss among your group and come up with answers.
What are the available options for Melissa and David to determine the well-being of their baby?
Melissa and David can test the DNA of their child through amniocentesis, ultrasound, blood, or CVS. If Melissa wants to know with certainty and is open to invasive testing, which tests would give her the best results? Discuss the available options and their reliability. Amniocentesis and CVS are the most reliable invasive tests. CVS is the safer option since it is performed earlier in the pregnancy.
BIOS 256 Week 7 lab Commercial Surrogacy Class
What is the principle behind invasive testing?
The principle behind invasive testing is to examine the cells and chromosomes of the fetus for any abnormalities.
References
for Parts A, B and C of Week 7 Lab:
(2014, May 06). Commercial Surrogacy Exploiting Women Of The Developing World?
Retrieved from
(2014, March 13). Baby Girl Born Healthy After Growing In Mom’s Abdomen.
Retrieved from
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/12/baby-girl-born-healthy-after-growing-in-moms-abdomen_n_4950162.html
Case study prepared by Dr. Siddiqi for HAP5160 course of MSHAPI program.
