ART and Gestational Carriers
Key Findings: Use of Gestational Carriers in the United States
![image of a smiling infant](/art/images/key-findings/art-and-gestational-carriers-350px.jpg?_=85007)
Has the use of gestational carriers changed over time?
- Between 1999 and 2013, about 2% (30,927) of all assisted reproductive technology cycles used a gestational carrier.
- The number of gestational carrier cycles increased from 727 (1.0%) in 1999 to 3,432 (2.5%) in 2013.
What were the characteristics and outcomes of gestational carrier cycles?
- Between 1999 and 2013, gestational carrier cycles resulted in 13,380 deliveries and the birth of 18,400 infants. The data shows 9,819 (53.4%) of these infants were twins, triplets, or higher order multiples.
- Intended parents using a gestational carrier tended to be older than parents who did not. Most gestational carriers were less than 35 years of age.
- Approximately 16% of intended parents using a gestational carrier were not US residents.
- Gestational carrier cycles had higher rates of implantation, pregnancy, and live births when compared to non-gestational carrier cycles. However, multiple birth and preterm delivery rates were higher among gestational carrier cycles—largely due to the frequent transfer of two or more embryos per cycle.
More about These Findings
Elective single embryo transfer was performed in only 15% of gestational carrier cycles. Transferring fewer embryos during ART cycles, including gestational carrier cycles, can reduce the risk for multiple births.
Key Findings References
- Perkins KM, Boulet SL, Jamieson DJ, Kissin DM; National Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance System (NASS) Group. Trends and outcomes of gestational surrogacy in the United States. Fertil Steril. 2016; 106(2):435-442 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27087401 Accessed August 1, 2016.