Surrogacy with Donor Embryos

Surrogacy with donor embryos offers a hopeful solution for intended parents who have struggled with infertility or have few to no viable embryos remaining after IVF.

Fill out our online contact form to find out more about how surrogacy with donor embryos can help make your dreams of parenthood a reality.

No matter what the reason may be for you pursuing this path, surrogacy can give you the chance to grow your family.

This article will take a look at how surrogacy using donor egg or sperm works and the emotional and financial aspects to consider too.

Can You Use a Donor Embryo with a Surrogate?

Yes, you can use a donor embryo with a surrogate.

This form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) could be right for you if:

• You or your partner are infertile and have had no success with IVF.
• Your doctor has given medical advice against carrying a pregnancy.
• Unexplained infertility impacts you or your partner.
• You or your partner don’t want to pass on genetic disorders.
• You are part of an LGBT couple.

Here’s how surrogacy with donor embryos works:

• Step 1: Create a personal surrogate plan.
• Step 2: Match with a surrogate.
• Step 3: Medical and legal clearance.
• Step 4: Transferring the donor embryo.
• Step 5: Pregnancy and meeting your baby.

Once you have embryos secured, you are that much closer to be able to experience what it’s like to be a parent. You can be matched with a surrogate relatively quickly with the best industry professionals offering average weight times of 1-6 months.

Get in touch with us today to get more free information about how to find the perfect surrogate or check out available surrogates.

Surrogacy Using Donor Eggs and Sperm

Surrogacy using donor eggs and sperm differs from surrogacy with donor embryos in the process, but not the outcome.

An embryo in either situation is created without gametes from either intended parent, but how donor eggs and sperm vs. how donor embryos are acquired is different.

Donor embryos have the embryo already created and formed and usually come at a lower price as fertilization isn’t required.

Surrogacy using donor eggs and sperm means:

• Involvement of Multiple Parties: Typically involves at least three parties: egg donor, sperm donor, and surrogate.
• Genetic Connection: The intended parents may have a genetic connection if they use their sperm or eggs, but not if they use donors.
• IVF Process: Requires in vitro fertilization (IVF) to fertilize the donor eggs with the sperm, resulting in embryos.
• Embryo Transfer: The surrogate carries the embryos created from the egg and sperm.
• Selection of Donors: Intended parents can choose egg and sperm donors based on specific criteria, such as physical traits or genetic background.
• Potential for Genetic Screening: There’s a possibility to screen for genetic conditions in the embryos before transfer.

What to Consider with Surrogacy Using Donor Embryos

If surrogacy with embryo donors is right for your circumstances, any opportunity to grow your family is likely one you want to consider.

But keep in mind the emotions that can come with the transition from moving on to surrogacy from IVF.

If growing your family has always been something you’ve looked forward to since you were younger, you may have thought about what pregnancy, what it will be like and everything that comes with it, including childbirth and holding your baby for the first time.

Someone else will be carrying your baby.

This could bring about feelings like grief and loss, and that’s perfectly natural. Maybe you’re dealing with the fact that your journey has changed due to reasons outside of your control.

Addressing these emotions is important. That could be through support groups or blogs that talk about surrogacy, their journeys and difficulties they have faced. There’s even counseling specific to fertility if you’re looking for professional help.

Everyone’s experience is different, but there are other women who have chosen surrogacy using donor eggs or sperm.

In addition to reaching out to those who have walked in your shoes, you could also deal with the emotions by:

• Allowing yourself the time to grieve
• Leaning on your partner
• Talking with your fertility team
• Not rushing into the next phase

Costs of Surrogacy with Donor Embryos

While the emotional aspect is one thing to consider, so is cost. Cost is a common concern for those looking to grow their family and it could be important to you.

A singular IVF cycle can cost anywhere from $14,000-$20,000 while surrogacy with donor embryos is just $2,500-$4,000. That $2,500-$4,000 figure can vary depending on your professional as charges can include:

• Document preparation
• Matching services
• Embryology and transfer fees

Surrogacy itself can cost anywhere from $100,000-$250,000 with various fixed fees and variable costs such as:

• Agency and case management fees
• Gestational carrier fees
• Newborn expenses
• Varied surrogate experience and location
• Intended parent outside counsel

Contact us online to get more free information about the costs of surrogacy. 

What Happens After the Embryo Transfer?

Once the embryo transfer takes place, it’s time for the two week wait until the first pregnancy test.

In the meantime, your surrogate may experience symptoms similar to menstruation or being on her period such as:

• Light spotting
• Cramping and pelvic pain
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Tender, sore breasts
• Nausea
• Increased need to pee
• Changes in vaginal discharge
• Missed periods

The only job your surrogate has during this two week wait is to relax. From avoiding harmful habits like substances that can risk a pregnancy to promoting better habits like having a healthy diet, the two week wait can look different for everyone.

Contact us online to find out more about how to prepare for surrogacy with donor embryos can give you the family you’ve always pictured.