First Irish pregnancies after IVF with gestational carrier

In this report, our early experience with screening, monitoring and coordinating IVF utilising gestational carrier treatment is described. Although congenital and iatrogenic etiologies for uterine factor infertility manifest distinctly different reasons for considering a gestational carrier approach, we outline a unified management strategy for both conditions. One patient had congenital absence of the uterus and proximal vagina (Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome variant), while another patient presented post-hysterectomy and adjuvant brachytherapy for invasive squamous cervical carcinoma. Conception was established for both patients, the first pregnancies to be achieved using an IVF/gestational carrier technique in Ireland. As demonstrated here, selected patients with at least one intact ovary who suffer from uterine factor infertility can be excellent candidates for IVF with embryo transfer to a carefully screened gestational carrier. The role of individual and group counselling is reviewed; professional legal advice is prudent in complex cases.