title: Screening of gestational carriers in the United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess medical and psychosocial screening and evaluation received by gestational carriers and compare those using agencies to those not using agencies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 204 women who completed a survey on their experiences as gestational carriers in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-reported screening received before gestational carrier pregnancies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 97.1% of gestational carriers had a complete medical evaluation and 94.6% had an evaluation or counseling by a mental health professional. Most participants indicated that they had been informed of at least some medical risks (92.6%) and psychological considerations (89.7%). Participants most often recalled being informed of the risks of multiple pregnancy (89.2%) and medical procedures and medications (87.2%), but least often recalled being informed about the risks of impact on their own employment (46.6%) and to their own children (61.3%). There were no differences in outcome measures between those using an agency and those who did not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-reported screening and evaluation was high, but still not 100% on all measures. Further education of providers regarding guidelines for the screening and evaluation of gestational carriers may be needed.
authors: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. Electronic address: elfuchs@utmb.edu.
authors: Erika L
authors: EL
authors: Fuchs
authors: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
authors: Abbey B
authors: AB
authors: Berenson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013533:Gestational Carriers / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: Gestational carrier; infertility; screening; surrogate