All parties involved in the process of creating the embryos and carrying the pregnancy will undergo a series of medical tests, and in our case, the men will undergo a sperm count. Also ask your clinic for a comprehensive genetic panel for you and for your egg donor. Don’t settle for the basic free battery tests of a couple of specific genes. In such an expensive and complicated process, don’t try and save ˜$99 (the cost of the comprehensive test), because it’s what will determine your genetic compatibility with the donor. It’s important that the egg donor undergo the exact same genetic panel that you do in order to ensure that none of you carry the genes that may jeopardize the health of your children.
The blood and urine tests mainly check for infectious diseases (HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, jaundice, syphilis, CMV, and more) - the vast majority of which can be resolved medically. If you are found to be HIV-positive, you can have your sperm washed, and in the case of CMV or jaundice, there may be medical requirements from the surrogate like previous exposure.
You’ll undergo these tests before freezing sperm, the donor before donating the eggs, and the surrogate and her husband before the embryo transfer.
Aside from the fact that these tests are an FDA requirement for processes in the United States, it’s important to conduct the tests beforehand in your country, in order to rule out some problems in advance, and also so that you don't get to the sperm freezing stage and then be surprised that you’re infected, regardless of whether you’re in an open relationship or not. You should know in advance, treat whatever comes out positive, and avoid any unpleasant surprises along the way.
