Guiliana and Bill Rancic’s Big Announcement!

2012 is the year of the Rancic’s!

These are the words Bill Rancic used on a recent visit with wife Guiliana to the Today show. And now we know why…

Today the couple announced that they are going to have a baby with the help of a gestational surrogate!

As you know, Guiliana, known for her work on E!News and Fashion Police, and husband Bill (Donald Trump’s first winner of The Apprentice) have shared their trials and tribulations with infertility on their Style network show Guiliana and Bill.

However, in October came the devastating news that Guiliana was diagnosed with breast cancer.

And then in December, when it was learned that additional treatment was needed, Guiliana made the difficult decision to undergo a bilateral mastectomy.

But finally, some good news:

According to the couple, the baby is due at the end of the summer. They say they know what the sex of the baby is, but are trying to see how long they can keep the secret. My guess? Not very long!

What is a Gestational Carrier? How is it Different from a Surrogate?

According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, a gestational carrier is a woman who carries an embryo to delivery. The embryo is derived from the egg and sperm of persons not related to the carrier. The carrier has no genetic relationship with the child born from this pregnancy. The infant is considered the donor couple’s baby.

Candidates for this kind of reproductive assistance include women who have ovaries but not a uterus. This can be either because they were born without one, or have had it surgical removed.

It is also used with women with medical conditions for which getting pregnant would put their health at great risk. This includes women with severe heart disease, systemic lupus erythematosis, severe renal disease, cystic fibrosis, severe diabetes, or those with a history of breast cancer.

Gestational carrier IVF with donor eggs is an option for gay male couples or for women whose own eggs cannot be used because of age-related infertility or risk of genetic disorders.

The procedure is very similar to that of in vitro fertilization.

A traditional surrogate is a woman who agrees to become pregnant using a man’s sperm (by artificial insemination) and her own egg. The child will be genetically related to the surrogate and the male partner. After birth, the surrogate will give up the baby for adoption by the parents.

Before undergoing any kind of surrogacy procedure, the intended parents and their prospective carrier must undergo extensive medical, psychological and legal counseling.

How much does it cost?

The costs for using a gestational carrier can cost between $90,000 and $130,000. This includes agency and legal fees as well as compensation for the carrier and the medical screenings and procedures.

Best wishes for a healthy baby Bill and Guiliana!