A gestational carrier is woman who accepts to bear (or be pregnant with) the child of another woman who is incapable of becoming pregnant using her own uterus. The gestational carrier provides a host uterus for the offspring, and does not contribute genetic material, i.e. is not the egg provider. The offspring's genetic material may come from the egg and the sperm provided solely by the aspiring man, woman or couple, referred to as the "intended parents", or in combination with donor egg and/or donor sperm, depending on the needs of the intended parents.
Women who need gestational carriers include those who:
- Do not have a uterus , Have an abnormal uterine cavity
- Have had several recurrent miscarriages
- Have had recurrent failed IVF cycles
- Have a medical reason for which pregnancy is inadvisable
Some intended parents may have a family member or close friend that volunteers to be a gestational carrier.