What Happens if You Miscarry During Surrogacy? How Agencies Stand Beside Surrogates

Surrogate miscarriage is painful, but you’re not alone. Learn how American Surrogacy supports surrogates with care, clarity, and compassion.

No one begins a surrogacy journey expecting loss, but sometimes, heartbreak becomes part of the story. A surrogate miscarriage is one of the most emotionally complex experiences a woman can face.

If you’re navigating this path or preparing for the “what ifs”—please know this: you are not alone, and you are not to blame. At American Surrogacy, we believe that real support means showing up for the hardest parts of the journey, not just the milestones.

If you’re navigating a surrogate miscarriage or simply want to know you’ll be supported no matter what, our team is here for you. Reach out to a surrogacy specialist today for support that puts your wellbeing first.

What Happens if You Miscarry During Surrogacy?

A surrogate miscarriage can be a heartbreaking and overwhelming experience, but surrogates are never expected to face it alone.

When a miscarriage occurs, the first step is medical care. Your OB-GYN or fertility clinic will provide the necessary procedures, testing, and follow-up to ensure your health and safety.

Legally, your surrogacy contract outlines what happens in this situation, including how intended parents are informed and how compensation is handled. Emotionally, the agency becomes your lifeline.

The emotional and physical recovery timeline varies, and we honor each surrogate’s unique path forward with unwavering support.

Is It My Fault? What Every Surrogate Needs to Know About Miscarriage

One of the most painful myths surrounding a surrogate miscarriage is the belief that the surrogate somehow did something wrong.

In reality, miscarriages are common and usually caused by chromosomal or developmental issues that are entirely out of anyone’s control.

At American Surrogacy, we ensure that our surrogates understand from the beginning that they are never to blame if a loss occurs. Our agency provides ongoing emotional support, including access to therapists who specialize in reproductive grief.

We help surrogates navigate feelings of guilt, shame, or confusion with empathy and clinical clarity. Surrogacy is built on courage and generosity. Even in the face of loss, those qualities remain deeply respected and protected.

What Support Do Surrogates Receive After a Pregnancy Loss?

After a surrogate miscarriage, emotional healing and personal care become the top priorities and with American Surrogacy, that support is both immediate and ongoing.

Our surrogates are offered access to licensed mental health professionals who specialize in reproductive loss, so they have a safe, confidential space to process their grief.

We also provide continued case management support, regular check-ins from our team and optional participation in surrogate support groups where shared experiences create comfort and connection.

Every surrogate is different, and so is every healing journey. That’s why our support is never one-size-fits-all. Whether you want space, conversation or ongoing resources, American Surrogacy adapts to your needs, because you deserve to be supported fully, not just medically, but emotionally, too.

Emotional Support Resources After a Surrogacy Loss

Whether you need someone to talk to immediately or prefer quiet reflection with the option to reach out later, we respect your process.

That’s why we connect our surrogates with licensed counselors and support groups while providing ongoing agency communication tailored to your needs.

You can also explore the virtual support groups and forums below.

  • Empty Arms Bereavement Support: A free support group for those who have experience a miscarriage or early pregnancy loss. All meeting are through Zoom.
  • Rachel’s Gift: Free virtual support groups for those who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirths and infant loss.
  • r/Miscarriage: A community for those who have experienced miscarriage to talk about their loss and seek peer support.
  • r/PregnancyAfterLoss: A subreddit for those who become pregnant after miscarriage or infant loss.

Why Agency Support Matters During a Surrogate Miscarriage

In the wake of a surrogate miscarriage, having the right agency by your side isn’t just helpful—it’s everything. The emotional, medical, and logistical challenges that follow a pregnancy loss can feel overwhelming.

That’s why surrogates who partner with American Surrogacy receive wraparound care designed to meet every need: emotional counseling, clear communication protocols, legal clarity and heartfelt check-ins that don’t stop after the initial crisis fades.

Without an experienced, empathetic agency, surrogates may be left to navigate grief, legalities, or conversations with intended parents on their own. But with American Surrogacy, you are never alone. We advocate for you every step of the way.

Choosing the right agency means choosing a team that stands beside you when things don’t go as planned—and that’s when it matters most.

What the Surrogacy Contract Says About Miscarriage

Every surrogacy journey begins with a carefully crafted legal agreement and that includes planning for difficult moments like a surrogate miscarriage.

Your contract outlines what happens in the event of a pregnancy loss, including how compensation is handled, who is responsible for medical costs, and how communication with intended parents is managed. This legal clarity is essential: it protects you emotionally and financially during a vulnerable time.

Our agency works closely with experienced surrogacy attorneys to ensure that every surrogate’s rights, health and peace of mind are prioritized in the contract. Knowing that you’re protected allows you to focus on healing, not logistics and reinforces that your agency is with you, every step of the way.

Learn more about surrogacy contracts.

Do Surrogates Get Paid if They Miscarry?

Yes, in most cases, you are compensated up until the miscarriage occurs.

Surrogate miscarriage does not typically negate earned payments, and any escrowed funds are managed per the terms of your contract. American Surrogacy ensures transparency and fairness in all financial matters, so you can focus on recovery without added stress.

Just as with the previous pregnancy, if you and the intended parents decide to try again after your doctor has medically cleared you to do so, payments will resume once a pregnancy is confirmed. You will still receive the full amount of compensation outlined in your contract.

How Intended Parents Are Involved When a Surrogate Miscarriage Occurs

One of the hardest parts of a surrogate miscarriage is the emotional weight of telling the intended parents. You might worry about their reaction or feel like you let them down.

While intended parents may feel deeply saddened, surrogates need to know: they are not to blame. Miscarriage is no one’s fault. Intended parents often respond with empathy, gratitude and heartbreak rather than anger.

Your surrogacy specialist can provide sensitive mediation and emotional support to help all sides navigate this complex moment. Our agency plays a key role in helping surrogates and intended parents communicate with clarity and care, while also respecting each individual’s grieving process.

Surrogates are never left to carry the emotional weight or explain difficult news alone. We also help intended parents process their grief while reinforcing their continued respect for the surrogate’s bravery and effort.

In many cases, these shared hardships actually strengthen the bond between surrogate and family. With the right emotional support, healing happens—together, not apart.

Can I Be a Surrogate Again After a Miscarriage?

Experiencing a surrogate miscarriage doesn’t automatically disqualify you from future journeys. After medical clearance from your doctor and a recovery period, many surrogates go on to complete successful pregnancies.

American Surrogacy will support you in making a decision that aligns with your emotional readiness and health. Some surrogates choose to try again; others decide their journey ends here—either path is honored.

How Common is Miscarriage in Surrogacy?

It might surprise you to learn that miscarriage, including surrogate miscarriage, is relatively common. It affects about 10-20% of all pregnancies. Even when the embryo is healthy, and everything seems perfect, miscarriage can still happen.

Age, embryo quality, and other health factors can play a role, but sometimes there’s simply no clear reason. Knowing this doesn’t make the loss easier, but it can help you release some of the self-blame and understand that this experience is sadly a part of many women’s reproductive journeys.  

How American Surrogacy Supports You Through Every Step

Experiencing a surrogate miscarriage is an emotionally difficult and deeply personal event. At American Surrogacy, our priority is ensuring that no surrogate ever faces that pain alone.

When a miscarriage occurs, our team offers emotional support, licensed counseling referrals, and guidance through next steps.

Surrogates are offered access to mental health professionals experienced in reproductive loss, as well as ongoing check-ins from our staff. We also facilitate peer support networks so surrogates can connect with others who’ve walked a similar path.

Importantly, every step is guided by empathy, not pressure or blame. Surrogacy is a journey that comes with joy and, sometimes, loss. We’re here for all of it, with full-circle care that honors your experience and well-being.

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

Loss is never easy, but with the right agency, you’ll never walk through it unsupported. At American Surrogacy, we care for every aspect of yourself that you’ve invested in this journey: heart, body and mind. If you’re ready to learn more or just need someone to listen, we’re here.

Connect with a specialist today by filling out our quick form.

Why Am I Ovulating on Letrozole But Not Getting Pregnant?

Ovulating on letrozole but still not pregnant with PCOS? Learn key barriers, treatments, and surrogacy options with American Surrogacy.

If you’re ovulating on letrozole but not getting pregnant, you’re facing one of the most perplexing—and exhausting—PCOS hurdles.

Letrozole is a powerful medication, especially for women with PCOS, but ovulation is only part of the story.

Ready to turn the page?Contact a surrogacy specialist today, and let’s map out a path that finally turns hope into a heartbeat.

Ovulating on Letrozole But Not Getting Pregnant? PCOS May Be to Blame

Letrozole stimulates ovulation, particularly for women with PCOS. However, successful conception involves more than just ovulation.

Many PCOS patients have perfectly timed intercourse yet still face a blank pregnancy test. Why? Because chronic low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance alter the very genes that make the uterine lining “sticky.”

Research shows PCOS endometrium can express fewer integrins and HOXA-10 proteins, crucial for implantation.

Add a fibroid distorting the cavity, or a partner’s subtle DNA fragmentation, and the odds shrink further.

In other words, you can be ovulating on letrozole but not getting pregnant simply because the embryo’s landing pad or its chromosomal package isn’t quite right.

Learn How Embryo Implantation Works

Other Reasons Letrozole May Not Be Working

Here are some additional reasons letrozole might not lead to conception:

  • Luteal Phase Defect: The second half of your cycle may be too short to support implantation.
  • Endometrial Issues: Letrozole can thin the uterine lining, making implantation harder.
  • Poor Egg Quality: Ovulating doesn’t always mean the eggs are viable.
  • Male Factor Infertility: A semen analysis may uncover low motility or count.
  • Tubal Blockage: HSG tests can reveal whether the tubes are open.
  • Thyroid or Prolactin Levels: Hormonal imbalances can quietly interfere with conception.

If letrozole isn’t working on its own, the next step is simply about gathering more insight—answers that can help guide you toward a path that feels right and hopeful.

How Many Cycles of Letrozole Does it Take to Get Pregnant with PCOS?

Clinical registries reveal that 65–70 % of letrozole-related pregnancies arrive within the first three medicated cycles.

After the sixth cycle, success curves flatten, leading most reproductive endocrinologists—and the latest ASRM practice guidance—to recommend a strategy shift.

So if you’re ovulating on letrozole but not getting pregnant by cycle four, it’s less about “failure” and more about guarding your calendar, your finances, and your emotional bandwidth before moving to higher-yield options.

When IVF Protocol With Letrozole Is Failing

For some patients who are using letrozole in conjunction with IVF, especially those with a history of thin lining, poor ovarian response or PCOS, letrozole may not deliver the needed hormonal balance or follicular boost when used in antagonist IVF protocols.

In women with PCOS, additional complexities such as insulin resistance, higher baseline LH levels, or impaired endometrial receptivity may further diminish the efficacy of a Letrozole-based approach.

If you’ve experienced recurring implantation failure, it may be time to consider other options like surrogacy, which allows you to bypass the issues contributing to IVF failure.

If you’re utilizing IVF with letrozole for PCOS but not getting pregnant, learn more about when it may be time to consider other options.

Turning Frustration into Insight With Testing

A thorough work-up transforms guesswork into data-driven next steps. Your doctor may start with a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to map your tubes, follow with a saline sonogram to spot polyps or scar tissue and finish with an expanded hormone and metabolic panel, including fasting insulin, thyroid antibodies and prolactin.

Each test asks a specific “why” behind ovulating on letrozole but not getting pregnant, revealing whether the hurdle lies in anatomy, metabolism or hormonal imbalances. Armed with answers, you can pivot confidently instead of circling the same protocol.

Treatment Power-Ups If You’re On Letrozole for PCOS But Not Pregnant

If you’re not pregnant after multiple letrozole cycles, consider these alternatives:

  • Metformin + Letrozole: Lowers insulin, improves egg mitochondria, and modestly bumps clinical pregnancy rates.
  • Low-Dose Gonadotropins: Adding tiny FSH doses can double conception odds versus letrozole alone in PCOS cohorts.
  • Progesterone Support: Extends a short luteal phase so the embryo isn’t evicted before it settles.
  • IVF + PGT-A: Bypasses tubal issues, selects chromosomally normal embryos and slashes miscarriage risk.
  • Donor Eggs/Embryos: A compassionate shortcut when egg quality—not uterine environment—is the root block.

When the egg quality roadblock just won’t budge, donor eggs or embryos can offer a compassionate and hopeful path forward, especially if the uterine environment is healthy.

Surrogacy Solutions if You’re Ovulating on Letrozole but Not Getting Pregnant with IVF

For some, the issue is no longer the egg—it’s the uterus. Years of PCOS-related hyperplasia, repeated D&C procedures or adenomyosis can make carrying a pregnancy medically risky or anatomically impossible.

When you’ve produced healthy embryos yet remain ovulating on letrozole but not getting pregnant, surrogacy becomes a logical, evidence-backed next step.

Your genetic or donor embryo is transferred into a carefully screened carrier whose uterus offers the receptivity yours lacks, turning decades of reproductive science into tomorrow’s baby shower.

If you’ve experienced IVF failure using letrozole for PCOS but still not pregnant, learn more about surrogacy after failed IVF.

American Surrogacy’s Blueprint to Growing Your Family

Choosing surrogacy is choosing partnership. We coordinate directly with your fertility clinic to secure embryo shipment, match you with a surrogate who has passed medical, psychological and background clearances and wrap the entire journey in legal and financial transparency.

You receive milestone updates—first heartbeat, anatomy scan, delivery plan—while your surrogate receives 24/7 support. It’s a dual-care model that keeps your dream and her wellbeing front and center, ensuring that being ovulating on letrozole but not getting pregnant is merely a chapter, not the ending.

Next-Step Action Plan

It’s okay to feel frustrated or exhausted after months (or years) of trying. But please know, even when letrozole isn’t’ successful, you still have options.

Whether your next step is more testing, a shift to IVF, or exploring surrogacy, you have choices—and you have support.

American Surrogacy can guide you through the possibilities surrogacy can bring with care and compassion.

Explore Our Surrogacy Programs

Who Is Affected by Social Infertility, and What Can Be Done?

Facing social infertility? Discover how surrogacy can help you build a family beyond societal and relational barriers.

A growing number of hopeful parents are facing barriers to building families, not because of medical infertility, but due to social infertility.

Social infertility affects many individuals and couples who are biologically able to have children but are held back by external circumstances. These may include relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or systemic policies that limit access to fertility care.

If you’re ready to explore inclusive options for becoming a parent, connect with a surrogacy specialist today — your journey starts here.

This article explores what social infertility is, who it affects, and how surrogacy offers a compassionate and empowering path forward for those ready to grow their families.

What Is Social Infertility?

Social infertility is the inability to conceive or carry a child due to social or relational circumstances rather than medical ones. This includes individuals who are healthy and fertile but face barriers because they are single, in same-sex relationships or in partnerships that lack biological compatibility.

Unlike medical infertility, which stems from physical conditions, social infertility arises from systemic limitation, including outdated clinic protocols, restrictive insurance policies and narrow definitions of family in reproductive care.

Who Is Affected by Social Infertility?

Several groups of people face social infertility:

  • Single individuals who want to raise a child but don’t have a partner and cannot access fertility treatment without one
  • Same-sex couples who require a combination of egg donors, sperm donors and/or gestational surrogates
  • Trans and non-binary individuals who may not be biologically compatible with their partners or may face discrimination
  • Families with financial limitations whose insurance may not cover fertility treatments unless a medical diagnosis is present

Despite rising awareness, social infertility often remains underrepresented in mainstream conversations. Many of these intended parents encounter extra emotional and logistical challenges on the road to family.

American Surrogacy welcomes all family structures. Whether you’re single, partnered or LGBTQ+, we ensure that your journey is supported with legal, emotional and logistical guidance every step of the way.

If you’re an LGBT parent wanting to grow your family, learn more about our programs for LGBT families.

Emotional Impact of Social Infertility

Experiencing social infertility can come with a wave of complex emotions:

  • Grief over not being able to pursue a traditional path to parenthood
  • Frustration when facing policies or systems that don’t reflect your reality
  • Loneliness, especially when there are few resources or communities that address your situation
  • Self-doubt rooted in societal stigma, leaving you wondering if your dream of parenthood is even possible

At American Surrogacy, we want to affirm that your desire to become a parent is valid and that your journey, while different, is no less worthy of support or celebration.

Why Social Infertility Matters

Social infertility is not just a personal issue. It reflects larger shifts in society that deserve recognition and response.

  • Changing Social Dynamics: More people are marrying later or not at all, yet still want children. In 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the median age for first marriages is 28 for women and 30 for men.
  • LGBTQ+ Rights and Advocacy: While legal protections have improved, barriers persist. A 2022 report found that 36% of LGBTQ+ adults experienced discrimination in the past year.
  • Medical Industry Shift: Clinics and agencies are becoming more inclusive, but many are still structured around heterosexual couples.

Without visibility and acknowledgment, critical resources lag behind. Insurance coverage, legislation and support systems often fail to serve people experiencing social infertility. Greater awareness leads to better care for everyone.

How Surrogacy Can Help Hopeful Parents Facing Social Infertility

Surrogacy can be a powerful and empowering solution for people facing social infertility. It helps hopeful parents build families by offering a path that accommodates unique personal circumstances, including being single or part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Here’s how gestational surrogacy works:

  • Step 1: The intended parent(s) work with an agency to create a plan.
  • Step 2: If needed, they find an egg or sperm donor.
  • Step 3: An embryo is created through in vitro fertilization.
  • Step 4: The embryo is transferred to a gestational surrogate.
  • Step 5: The surrogate carries the pregnancy and delivers the baby.

If you’re concerned about budgeting for journey to parenthood, learn more about our affordable surrogacy options and other financing resources available to you.

Social Infertility Isn’t the End — Take the First Step Toward Parenthood

Experiencing social infertility doesn’t mean your dream of parenthood has to end — just that the path forward may look different.  If you’re ready to explore how surrogacy can support your parenting goals, we invite you to speak with a surrogacy specialist today.

Let’s create a path to parenthood that fits your life. Fill out our free form to get started today.

Navigating IVF and Gender Dysphoria: A Guide for Trans Masculine Parents

Surrogacy for trans men navigating IVF and gender dysphoria—affirming paths to parenthood with expert, identity-conscious support.

For many trans men, IVF and gender dysphoria often intersect when hormone therapy must be paused, or when fertility procedures trigger physical changes and clinical experiences that feel misaligned with one’s identity.

Whether you’re early in your transition or already on testosterone, you deserve options that support your well-being, not just your biological goals.

The path is yours to define—we’re here to walk it with you. Contact us today to learn more about how surrogacy can be a self-affirming option to grow your family.

This guide is here to help you understand what to expect from IVF as a trans masculine parent and how surrogacy and egg donation can help lessen the burden of gender dysphoria.

Can IVF Cause Gender Dysphoria?

Yes, IVF and gender dysphoria often intersect for trans men.

Stopping testosterone for egg retrieval can trigger the return of unwanted physical changes, while procedures like ultrasounds and hormone injections may intensify dysphoria, especially in gendered medical settings.

For many, the experience can feel emotionally disorienting—but with affirming providers and support, IVF is still possible.

Learn more about the egg retrieval process for IVF and surrogacy.

Options Beyond Traditional IVF: How Surrogacy Can Support Trans Masculine Parents

For many trans men, IVF and gender dysphoria are deeply intertwined. Creating embryos—whether for personal IVF or surrogacy—still requires egg retrieval and a temporary pause in testosterone, which can trigger significant physical and emotional discomfort.

The process may involve invasive procedures and time spent in clinical settings that feel misaligned with one’s identity.

Depending on your needs and comfort level, there are affirming paths forward:

  • Donor egg IVF: You might consider using donor eggs, which allows you to avoid the dysphoria associated with hormone stimulation and retrieval while still building a family through IVF.
  • Surrogacy: If you’re comfortable with egg retrieval but not with pregnancy, surrogacy may be an ideal fit, allowing you to create embryos with your own eggs while a surrogate carries the pregnancy.
  • Donor egg surrogacy: If you want to avoid both the IVF process and pregnancy, donor egg surrogacy removes both the physical and psychological stressors while still allowing you to become a parent.

At American Surrogacy, we understand that every path to parenthood is personal. We’re here to help you explore your options with care, clarity, and compassion—so you can make the decision that’s right for you.

Need help deciding what feels right? Reach out today to explore paths that align with your emotional well-being, family goals and identity.

Should You Pause Testosterone for IVF? What to Know

If you intend to use your own eggs for IVF or surrogacy, most fertility clinics require trans men to pause testosterone to support a successful egg retrieval process.

Pausing HRT, often for several weeks, can lead to the return of physical traits tied to one’s assigned sex at birth, which may intensify IVF and gender dysphoria symptoms.

Knowing what to expect can make a major difference. Emotional shifts, body changes and discomfort with medical procedures are common—but they’re not unmanageable.

Working with affirming providers and preparing mentally and physically ahead of time can help ease this process.

Talking to Your Clinic: How to Advocate for Gender-Affirming Fertility Care

Navigating IVF and gender dysphoria starts with choosing a clinic that respects your identity. Not all fertility providers are experienced in working with trans men, and many environments can unintentionally trigger dysphoria through misgendering, invasive procedures or lack of inclusive language.

Before starting treatment, ask about the clinic’s experience with LGBTQ+ patients, their approach to trauma-informed care, and whether staff are trained in gender-affirming practices. Your emotional well-being matters as much as your medical outcome.

At American Surrogacy, we help intended parents connect with supportive clinics that prioritize comfort, respect and affirming care—because every step of your journey should feel like it belongs to you.

Need help finding a gender-affirming fertility provider? Reach out to start your journey with support you can trust.

When IVF Isn’t Right: Why Some Trans Men Choose Surrogacy First

For some trans men, IVF and gender dysphoria are too closely linked to pursue comfortably. The idea of stopping HRT, undergoing invasive procedures, or facing a pregnancy that feels misaligned with their identity can be overwhelming.

In these cases, surrogacy isn’t a last resort, it’s a deliberate, affirming choice.

Surrogacy offers a path to biological parenthood without compromising emotional safety. At American Surrogacy, we support trans intended parents in choosing what feels right for them whether that means IVF or surrogacy.

Fertility Planning for Trans Men Considering Surrogacy: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re exploring surrogacy as a path to parenthood, here’s what you need to know, especially when navigating IVF and gender dysphoria along the way:

Step 1: Decide If You Want a Genetic Connection

Surrogacy can allow you to have a biological child using your own eggs. If you haven’t started testosterone, egg retrieval may be easier to schedule without interruption.

Step 2: Consider Your HRT Timeline

If you haven’t started testosterone yet, freezing your eggs now may reduce the risk of unsuccessful egg retrieval, and may allow you to avoid the need to pause HRT later.

If you’re already on HRT, plan for a pause—often 1–3 months—to allow your body to resume egg production.

Step 3: Coordinate With a Fertility Clinic

Schedule an initial consult with a clinic to evaluate your fertility and discuss egg retrieval logistics.

Step 4: Prepare for IVF and Gender Dysphoria

The IVF process includes hormone injections and an invasive procedure. If pausing HRT, undergoing ovarian stimulation or completing the egg retrieval process feels too dysphoric, or is unsuccessful, egg donation remains a viable and affirming alternative.

Step 5: Choose a Surrogacy Agency That Affirms You

Partner with an agency (like American Surrogacy) that understands the needs of trans intended parents. Once you have embryos ready, we can match you with a surrogate who is excited to work with you and your partner.

Your Next Step: Compassionate, Personalized Support

Whether you’re early in your transition, already managing IVF and gender dysphoria, or considering surrogacy as a more affirming option, your path to parenthood deserves care and support.

At American Surrogacy, we guide LGBTQ+ intended parents through every step—with trusted clinics, inclusive professionals and surrogates who honor your identity and goals.

You’re not alone in this journey and you don’t have to navigate it without a team that understands.

Connect with a surrogacy specialist today to explore the options that align with your identity, timeline and dreams of building a family.

Check out our surrogacy programs for LGBT parents.

Can I Be a Surrogate After Three C-Sections and One Vaginal Birth?

Had 3 C-sections and a vaginal birth? Surrogacy may still be an option. Discover how your story could help others start theirs.

Yes, you can still become a surrogate after three C-sections and one vaginal birth with the right support and medical clearance.

With the right medical history and a supportive agency like American Surrogacy, your journey could continue, helping someone else begin theirs.

Every woman’s path to surrogacy is unique. That’s why our team takes a personalized approach, reviewing your delivery history, current health, and overall readiness not just checking boxes.

Take the first step toward helping someone grow their family — your story may be the one they’ve been waiting for. Apply today to find out if you meet the surrogate qualifications.

Can You Be a Surrogate After 3 C-Sections and One Vaginal Birth?

Yes, if all of your deliveries were safe and without major complications, you may still be eligible to become a surrogate. Having a history of safe outcomes, especially paired with a successful vaginal birth, can strengthen your candidacy.

The key factors here are:

  • Uterine health and healing
  • Absence of serious complications
  • Medical clearance based on current condition

Each surrogacy journey is unique, and American Surrogacy approaches every potential surrogate with a personalized review of her medical history.

Curious about how C-sections affect surrogacy eligibility? Learn more about surrogacy after C-sections.

Who Qualifies for Surrogacy After Multiple C-Sections?

Medical guidelines like those from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) typically recommend:

  • No more than three C-sections
  • No more than five total deliveries

But these are just starting points. What really matters is:

  • Uterine health and recovery after each delivery
  • Absence of major complications, such as uterine rupture or placenta accreta
  • Clearance from a fertility specialist after a medical evaluation

Tip: A successful vaginal birth after C-sections (VBAC) can enhance your surrogate eligibility by demonstrating that your uterus recovered well and withstood labor.

Learn more about how to qualify to be a surrogate.

What Do Medical Guidelines Say About Surrogacy After C-Sections?

Medical professionals, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), provide the following guidance:

A woman may not be considered an ideal surrogate candidate if she’s had more than three C-sections or more than five vaginal deliveries.

However, these are not rigid rules. These guidelines serve as a starting point. What matters most is:

  • Your overall reproductive health
  • Successful recovery from past surgeries
  • Absence of chronic complications, like uterine rupture or placenta previa

How We Evaluate Your Eligibility at American Surrogacy

We go beyond the checklist. Here’s how we ensure it’s safe for you and for the intended parents:

Step 1: Review of Your OB/GYN Records

We’ll request your medical records, with a focus on:

  • Total number of births and delivery types
  • Recovery outcomes from each delivery
  • Any complications that may impact future pregnancies

Step 2: Surrogacy Pre-Screening

You’ll speak with a surrogate specialist about your goals, lifestyle, and any concerns. We’ll look at your:

  • Overall physical and emotional readiness
  • Support system
  • Motivation for becoming a surrogate

Step 3: Post-Match Clinical Evaluation

Once you’re matched, you’ll undergo:

  • Hormonal screening
  • Uterine lining assessments
  • Additional tests as required by the fertility clinic

Wondering what these requirements look like? Review the full list of surrogate qualifications here.

Does Having a Vaginal Birth Improve Your Chances?

Yes. A vaginal birth, especially after C-sections, can be a strong indicator that:

  • You successfully gave birth vaginally after previous C-sections
  • Your uterine wall withstood the pressure of labor
  • You may have a lower risk of uterine rupture than someone without a VBAC

However, VBAC doesn’t erase your C-section history. Our team still reviews all your past deliveries holistically. Every pregnancy adds valuable information to your story and we want to understand it in full.

I’ve Had 3 C-Sections—Can I Still Help Someone Become a Parent?

Absolutely. If your past C-sections and vaginal birth were complication-free, and your uterus has healed well, you may still be the perfect candidate to help someone build their family.

Each story is different and many surrogates come from medical backgrounds that don’t fit a one-size-fits-all mold.

Imagine the impact you could make. Your strength and experience could be exactly what someone needs to start their parenthood journey.

Ready to See If You Qualify?

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Apply today to get a personalized review and find out if you’re eligible to become a surrogate with American Surrogacy. Reach out today to find out if you qualify.

Can I Dye My Hair During IVF? What to Know When Creating Embryos

Navigate IVF with confidence. Know when hair dye is safe, what to avoid and how to match with a surrogate when your embryos are ready.

For many, haircare is part of our identity, self-expression or self-care routine. But when you’re creating embryos for IVF or surrogacy, even something as routine as coloring your hair can feel uncertain.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about hair dye during IVF including what fertility doctors say, which ingredients to avoid, safer alternatives and how to balance physical safety with emotional self-care.

When your embryos are ready, you don’t want to wait. Let us help you move forward on your terms, and on your timeline. Reach out today to begin the surrogacy process.

Can I Dye My Hair During IVF?

Short Answer: Most fertility specialists advise avoiding hair dye during the early stages of IVF, especially during ovarian stimulation.

But there’s nuance. The safety of using hair dye during IVF depends on factors like:

  • Whether the dye touches your scalp
  • Ventilation in your salon
  • Ingredients in the product
  • How far along you are in the IVF process

If coloring your hair is important for emotional well-being, consult your doctor before using hair dye during IVF, especially if you plan to dye your roots or use darker, more chemical-heavy formulas.

Learn more about what to expect from your IVF medication schedule.

What Fertility Doctors Say about Hair Dye and IVF      

Fertility experts often recommend avoiding hair dye during IVF, particularly between the start of ovarian stimulation and the end of the first trimester. This guidance is based on minimizing exposure to potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals and reducing inflammatory reactions.

According to Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, some hair salons in general may need to be avoided between embryo transfer and the end of the first trimester. Her rule of thumb is “When you walk into the salon, do you get a headache?” If you do, there are likely chemicals in the air that could negatively impact your fertility.

If you still want to use hair dye during IVF, choose a well-ventilated salon, avoid scalp contact and opt for cleaner, non-toxic products. Some clinics will greenlight these steps, especially when balanced against the emotional benefits of self-care.

Hair Dye Ingredients to Avoid During Fertility Treatment     

Using hair dye during IVF can expose you to certain chemicals that may impact fertility outcomes or hormone balance. However, as we learn more about these chemicals, new, safer products are being developed.

Ammonia

Ammonia can cause severe allergic reactions, which can affect pregnancy and fertility. Greater exposure to ammonia, even though hair dye, is linked to greater rates of urinary track infections, which can affect implantation and fetal development.

Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone is common in both hair dyes and some sun screens. It’s been found to have disruptive effects on the endocrine system, which regulates many vital fertility hormones.

Para-phenylenediamine (PPD)

PPD is a compound found in many hair dyes which can cause skin irritations, eczema, dermatitis, and even severe allergic reaction.

It also has the notable property of having increasing risk of reaction with each contact. In other words, even if you didn’t have a reaction to it last time you used it, you could have a severe reaction next time.

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives used in hair dye linked to premature and underweight births, and can have detrimental effects on fertility hormones.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), parabens rank among the most concerning toxic chemicals for pregnant women.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals used to soften mixtures, but are known to travel throughout the body, notably in urine, blood and breast milk.

These chemicals disrupt hormones, and have disastrous affects specifically for male fetuses. They are also on the EWG’s list, and have been banned in many countries across Europe.

Can a Surrogate Dye Her Hair During Pregnancy?        

Surrogates are often advised to follow the same caution as IVF patients: avoid hair dye during the first trimester.

Because surrogacy adds a layer of shared responsibility, intended parents and surrogates should agree on self-care guidelines early in the process.

Doctors recommend minimizing exposure to chemicals and ensuring salon visits are in well-ventilated areas. If scalp contact is avoided and the dye is clean and natural, some experts say it can be safe, even affirming, for surrogates.

Emotional Self-Care: Why Hair Dye During IVF May Still Matter

For many, IVF is not just a medical journey but an emotional one. Small acts like coloring your hair can be powerful self-care tools that provide emotional relief.

Self-care can help you navigate this journey in many ways:

  • Emotional Well-Being: Self-care can help you connect with your emotions and experience them in a safe, controllable way.
  • Rituals of Self-Maintenance: Focusing on yourself is an important part of your fertility journey. Consistent activates that help you focus on treating yourself with love and care can be a valuable tool.
  • Managing Control: In IVF, it can be easy to begin to feel that the things happening to you are out of your control. The need for control is something we all feel, and self-care can help you clarify and address these complex feelings.
  • Marking a significant change: For some, hair dying and other self-care rituals can be used to mark a significant change in their life.

For some, using hair dye during IVF helps reinforce identity, signal transformation, or reduce stress. If emotional well-being is a key concern, consult your fertility team about safer dye methods or alternatives.

Choosing Safer Hair Dye During IVF: What to Look For

The things that make hair dye damaging for IVF patients are the harmful ingredients. However, there are types of hair dyes that present less of a fertility disruption:

  • Labels that say “free of parabens, phthalates, ammonia”
  • Clean beauty certifications (e.g., EWG Verified)
  • Natural dyes like henna or cassia-based colors
  • Brands offering pregnancy-safe or sensitive skin formulations

Being selective with your products can help balance aesthetic goals with fertility safety when using hair dye during IVF.

When in doubt, take the ingredient list to your fertility specialist. Avoid heavy fragrances and always patch test before full application.

Fertility-Safe Hair Dye Brands for IVF Patients

Choosing the right brand is one of the safest ways to continue using hair dye during IVF.

These brands are known for avoiding common reproductive toxins like ammonia, PPD, parabens, phthalates and resorcinol, making them a safer choice for IVF patients:

  • Herbatint: Plant-based permanent color free from ammonia, parabens, and alcohol. Gentle on sensitive scalps and ideal for home use.
  • Naturtint: Uses plant-enriched ingredients and avoids ammonia, resorcinol, and heavy metals. A go-to brand for those seeking permanent results with fewer risks.
  • Surya Brasil Henna Cream: A semi-permanent henna-based formula free from harmful additives. Ideal for deep conditioning and gentle color toning.
  • Oway (Organic Way): Used in high-end salons, this biodynamic professional dye line is made with fair-trade botanicals and free from synthetic toxins.

When selecting hair dye during IVF, choose products that support your health, not just your color.

Your Next Steps   

Navigating decisions like whether to use hair dye during IVF is just one piece of a larger journey, one that’s uniquely yours.

As you move through your IVF cycle, another exciting milestone may be just around the corner: your embryos may soon be ready. If your next step is finding a surrogate to carry your pregnancy, we’re here to help you match quickly and confidently.

Here’s what to do next:

  • Talk to your fertility doctor about safe cosmetic products
  • Choose hair dye options that align with IVF safety guidelines
  • Begin planning for the next stage: embryo transfer and surrogacy
  • Reach out to us, we help intended parents match with screened surrogates in as little as 1-4 months.

Whether you’re creating embryos or already have frozen embryos ready to go, we’re here to ensure your transition into surrogacy is smooth and successful.Begin the next stage of your journey to parenthood by contacting us today with this online form.

Can Trans Men Get Pregnant on Testosterone? A Guide to Fertility Options

Getting pregnant as a trans man on testosterone is complex. Learn about IVF, HRT and why surrogacy may offer a more affirming path.

Parenthood may be part of your vision for the future. But if you’re currently on testosterone, you may not be sure what’s possible when it comes to fertility.

You deserve information that affirms your identity and gives you real choices. In this guide, we’ll cover how testosterone affects fertility and provide options for next steps. We can help you find the right path that aligns with your identity, comfort and goals.

If you’d like more information, fill out our form to connect with one of our surrogacy specialists.

Can a Trans Man Get Pregnant While on Testosterone? What to Know

Technically, yes, a trans man getting pregnant while on testosterone is possible, but unlikely. Testosterone generally suppresses ovulation and may affect an embryo’s ability to implant in your uterus.

Because of this, the chances of a trans man on hormones getting pregnant are very low. However, with fertility preservation and temporarily stopping hormones, pregnancy may be possible.

Does Fertility Change in Trans People With Hormone Treatment?

Yes, testosterone impacts both the consistency and quality of egg production. Over time, it suppresses ovulation and usually stops periods altogether.

The effect depends on how long you’ve been on testosterone, your age and your reproductive health.

Because egg quality naturally declines with age, and testosterone can add complexity, early planning matters.

In addition to impacting egg production, testosterone may also affect the uterine lining, which can make it more difficult for an embryo to implant successfully.

Can a Trans Man Do IVF? How it Works At Different Stages of HRT

Yes, IVF is a viable option for many trans men, but it involves important considerations depending on where you are in your hormone journey.

If You Are Pre-HRT

If you have not yet started hormone therapy, it is typically recommended to freeze your eggs before beginning testosterone. This helps preserve your fertility at its current baseline.

 If you decide to pursue pregnancy later, you will still need to pause testosterone during the embryo transfer phase of IVF.

If You Have Already Started HRT

If you are already on HRT and haven’t preserved your eggs, you’ll need to stop testosterone prior to starting ovarian stimulation and remain off it through the egg retrieval process, and possibly through the embryo transfer as well.

Additionally, the effects of testosterone on the ovaries and reproductive system may make egg retrieval more complex for those who have been on HRT long term.

Research from Boston IVF found that trans men who paused testosterone for around four months had similar egg retrieval outcomes to cisgender women undergoing IVF.

This pause can be physically and emotionally difficult, particularly for a trans man on hormones getting pregnant.

Why Do Trans Men Need to Stop Testosterone to Get Pregnant with IVF?

In addition to suppressing ovulation, testosterone may also thin or destabilize the uterine lining, which can make it more difficult for an embryo to implant successfully.

For a trans man on hormones getting pregnant, stopping testosterone may improve the chances of a healthy implantation, which is critical for pregnancy.

What to Expect from IVF as a Trans Man

  1. If currently undergoing HRT, you’ll pause testosterone under medical supervision
  2. Begin ovarian stimulation with hormone injections
  3. Monitor egg development via ultrasounds and bloodwork
  4. Undergo egg retrieval with light sedation.

Given the emotional and physical demands of IVF, it’s important to work with providers who affirm your identity. Some fertility clinics offer mental health support and gender-affirming care as part of the treatment process.

Fertility Preservation Before or After Starting HRT

If you’re thinking about starting testosterone or are considering pausing HRT to grow your family, fertility preservation can help you keep biological options open.

Here are two common methods:

  • Egg Freezing: Involves harvesting eggs and freezing them unfertilized. This is often done before starting testosterone, but in some cases, it’s possible after stopping.
  • Embryo Freezing: Embryos are created by combining your eggs with a partner’s or donor’s sperm. The resulting embryos are frozen for later use. This may be ideal if you know you want to pursue surrogacy later.

While outcomes are usually better before starting HRT, some trans men have preserved fertility even after hormone use.

Learn more about how embryos are frozen for surrogacy.

IVF Limitations After Long-Term Hormone Use

It’s important to acknowledge that long-term testosterone use can affect the success of IVF.

While many trans men have successfully completed IVF after pausing HRT, the effects of prolonged testosterone therapy on egg quality and uterine receptivity may lower the chances of implantation and overall IVF success.

For trans men who have been on hormones for several years, the reproductive system may respond less robustly to stimulation medications and the endometrial lining may not easily return to a state conducive for implantation.

Even with egg retrieval and fertilization, embryo transfer may not result in a pregnancy.

This is one reason why surrogacy may be a more effective and emotionally supportive path to parenthood, especially for a trans man on hormones getting pregnant or preserving fertility.

Why Surrogacy for Trans Men May Be a Better Option

If IVF is not successful after HRT or it doesn’t feel right for your body or identity, surrogacy is an option..

Higher Chances of Successful Implantation

From a medical perspective, surrogacy may offer a higher chance of success for trans men who have been on HRT long term. Testosterone can affect both egg quality and uterine receptivity, which can make pregnancy or embryo transfer more complex.

With surrogacy, these barriers are removed, and the embryo is transferred to a gestational surrogate whose body is fully prepared to carry a pregnancy.

You Won’t Have to Pause HRT for the Embryo Transfer

If you froze your eggs in advance or use donor eggs, surrogacy allows you to maintain your HRT regimen without interruption, avoiding the physical changes and emotional challenges that may come with pausing treatment for the embryo transfer or pregnancy.

Even if you pause testosterone for egg retrieval, that’s still less time that you have to pause treatment than if you carried the pregnancy yourself.

Avoiding Potential Gender Dysphoria Caused by Pregnancy

Surrogacy can help you avoid dysphoria that may arise from the hormonal shifts, body changes, sensations and psychological stress of pregnancy or childbirth.

This makes it an emotionally safer choice for a trans man on hormones getting pregnant or planning a family.

Surrogacy comes with emotional, financial and legal considerations, but for many, it provides a path that honors their identity and offers greater comfort.

Learn more about our LGBTQ+ surrogacy programs designed specifically for trans and queer families.

Can a Trans Man Use His Eggs in a Surrogacy Journey?

Yes, a trans man can use his own eggs to create embryos.

If you have frozen eggs or are willing to pause testosterone for egg retrieval, IVF allows your eggs to be fertilized with your partner’s sperm or a donor’s sperm. The resulting embryos can then be transferred to a surrogate.

Pausing HRT for the egg retrieval process can bring up dysphoria for some trans men, as it may involve temporary physical changes and emotional stress. Having a supportive and affirming care team can make a significant difference.

To support your well-being:

  • Work with gender-affirming fertility providers.
  • Request mental health support throughout treatment.
  • Be prepared for side effects like bloating or hormonal shifts.
  • Lean on your support system—friends, partners, therapists, and LGBTQ+ healthcare providers.

Using Donor Eggs: When Your Own Eggs Aren’t an Option

If using your own eggs doesn’t feel right for you, or if it isn’t possible, egg donor surrogacy is a valid and empowering alternative.

Many trans men choose this path for comfort, medical reasons or simply personal preference. Working with a surrogacy agency can help you explore egg donor options that align with your values and goals.

Your Family-Building Plan Starts Here

Family-building is a personal journey. Every trans man deserves options that honor and affirm who they are. We’re here to help. Reach out to connect with a surrogacy specialist and begin planning your future on your terms.

Do Intended Parents Need a Night Doula After Surrogacy?

Overnight care and emotional support for intended parents: how postpartum night doulas ease your transition into parenthood after surrogacy.

Becoming a parent through surrogacy is a beautiful, transformative experience but the shift into parenthood can also be intense and overwhelming.

That’s where a postpartum night doula can make a lasting difference.

Want a smoother start to parenthood? We can help you find a postpartum night doula and share exactly how they support you after your baby is born. Contact us today.

A night doula offers support during your most vulnerable hours so you can rest, reconnect and embrace your new role with confidence.

What Is a Postpartum Night Doula – and How Can They Help Intended Parents?

A postpartum night doula is a trained caregiver who provides overnight support to families in the first weeks and months after birth.

Their focus goes beyond feeding and diapering they create a nurturing nighttime environment for both baby and parents.

Unlike a night nanny, who is often task-oriented, or a birth doula, who supports labor, a night doula is trained to help families emotionally and practically during the delicate postpartum period.

What a Postpartum Night Doula Can Offer:

  • Overnight infant care and soothing
  • Breastfeeding, pumping, and bottle-feeding support (including induced lactation for non-birthing parents)
  • Emotional guidance and postpartum education
  • Encouragement and strategies for bonding
  • Calm presence during transitions and nighttime anxieties

For families who became parents through surrogacy, a night doula is often the first consistent support presence at home bridging emotional and physical gaps in the earliest hours of parenting.

Why Intended Parents May Need Support After Surrogacy

For many intended parents, the moment their baby arrives is surreal. Joy is often mixed with fear, uncertainty and exhaustion especially when postpartum recovery wasn’t part of their own physical experience.

A postpartum night doula provides a grounding force during this time, helping you navigate:

  • Fatigue from travel, time zones, or unexpected delivery timing
  • The absence of hormonal and physical preparation for parenthood
  • Early moments of bonding and caretaking with your newborn
  • Emotional processing of the surrogacy journey and transition into “full-time parent”

Whether you’re solo parenting, part of an LGBTQ+ couple or welcoming twins, a night doula ensures that you are supported holistically, not just as a caregiver, but as a human becoming a parent.

How a Postpartum Doula Supports the Parent-Child Bond

Bonding isn’t always instant, especially for non-birthing parents. And that’s okay. A postpartum night doula gently supports this process without pressure or judgment.

They guide parents in nurturing early connections with their baby, using evidence-based practices and emotional support tailored to the surrogacy experience.

Bonding Support May Include:

  • Skin-to-skin guidance during wake windows
  • Involvement in feeding and soothing
  • Coaching on reading baby cues
  • Reassurance that bonding is a journey, not a benchmark

By reinforcing your role as a confident, present parent, a night doula can help deepen the emotional connection you’re forming, even during a 3 a.m. diaper change.

Night Doula vs. Night Nanny

Choosing the right type of overnight support depends on the kind of help you need—emotional, physical, practical or all of the above. Here’s how a postpartum night doula compares to other options:

Postpartum Night Doula

  • Focus: Emotional support and practical overnight newborn care
  • Training: Often certified through organizations like DONA or CAPPA
  • Ideal For: Families seeking holistic care especially intended parents navigating bonding and role transition after surrogacy

Night Nanny

  • Focus: Basic newborn care tasks like feeding, diapering, and soothing
  • Training: May not have formal training or certification
  • Ideal For: Parents looking for routine infant care but not emotional or parental guidance

How Much Does a Night Doula Cost: Is the Support Worth It?

The cost of hiring a postpartum night doula typically ranges from $35 to $60+ per hour, depending on:

  • Your location
  • The doula’s experience level and certifications
  • Shift duration (usually 8–12 hours per night)

Is It Worth It?

For most families, the answer is yes. A night doula supports sleep, emotional regulation and bonding, elements that shape your first months as a parent.

Benefits include:

  • Improved rest and mental health
  • Stronger infant-parent attachment
  • Greater confidence and calmness during nighttime challenges

Some employers or FSA/HSA plans may offer reimbursement ask your agency or doula provider about options.

If you’re concerned about affording a night doula in addition to your overall surrogacy costs, learn more about affording surrogacy today.

How to Find a Night Doula Who Understands Surrogacy

Choosing a postpartum night doula who understands the emotional dynamics of surrogacy is key.

Look for doulas with:

  • Experience supporting intended parents and non-gestational families
  • Familiarity with assisted reproduction and donor/lactation complexities
  • Cultural competence and inclusive care (LGBTQIA+, single parent, etc.)
  • Strong communication, empathy, and active listening skills
  • Certification from programs like DONA International or CAPPA

Ask for references and trust your gut. The right doula will feel like a steady hand and a soft landing.

Find a Postpartum Night Doula Near Me

Here are some directories where you can search for certified professionals:

You can also find discussions and reviews on Reddit, surrogacy forums and local parenting groups where intended parents share real-world recommendations.

When the Birth Is Over, the Journey Continues

The birth may be over, but the parenting journey is just beginning. We understand what it means to become a parent through surrogacy and how essential postpartum night doula support can be in helping you settle into your new role with grace and confidence.

Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how we can help you find the right night doula and build a support plan that honors your surrogacy journey.

Red Light Therapy During IVF: Can It Help? And What If It Doesn’t?

Explore how red light therapy during IVF may help and what to do next, including surrogacy, if IVF still doesn’t succeed.

In-vitro fertilization (IVF) can be life-changing, but also emotionally and financially draining when it doesn’t work right away.

Emerging therapies like red light therapy during IVF offer new hope, but what happens if they don’t lead to the success you’ve been longing for?

If IVF and red light therapy isn’t working, you deserve to understand your next options, like surrogacy. Contact us today to learn more about how surrogacy can be your quickest path to parenthood.

In this guide, we’ll explore the research, mechanisms, and next steps—up to and including whether surrogacy might be the best path forward for your family-building journey.

Is There Evidence That Red Light Therapy  During IVF Increases Success?

Recent clinical exploration of red light therapy (RLT) during IVF shows promising results. A November 2024 study published by the National Library of Medicine examined three women with unexplained, age-related infertility.

Each had a history of failed IVF cycles, miscarriages or poor embryo viability. After undergoing routine PBM treatments in the weeks leading up to ovulation and embryo transfer, each woman successfully conceived and gave birth to a healthy baby.

Here’s how the study was conducted:

  1. Case series of three female subjects with unexplained age-related infertility issues (i.e. failure to conceive naturally beyond two years, multiple miscarriages, molar pregnancy, non-viable embryos from IVF cycles, failure to complete successful implantation of viable pre-implantation genetic tested (PGT-A) embryos)
  2. Previous conditions were recorded and then compared with outcomes after the patient received a course of PBM treatments
  3. PBM treatments were given at weekly and/or at two-week intervals using IR and NIR wavelengths between 600 nm and 1000 nm in the lead up to natural conception, IVF oocyte retrieval, blastocyst/embryo implantation, and/or the production of viable embryos.

However, researchers emphasize that while these case studies are hopeful, large-scale randomized trials are still needed to fully confirm the therapy’s effectiveness across broader populations.

Can Red Light Therapy During IVF Stims Improve Egg Quality or Ovarian Response?

When applied strategically during the stimulation phase of IVF, red light therapy during IVF stims may improve egg quality through several mechanisms:

  • Enhanced mitochondrial function: Supporting cellular energy (ATP) production, vital for egg maturation
  • Increased blood circulation: Improving nutrient and oxygen delivery to the ovaries
  • Hormonal balance: Assisting in regulating reproductive hormone levels
  • Anti-inflammatory effects: Reducing stress on the ovaries during follicle development

Some fertility clinics globally have incorporated red light therapy into their IVF protocols. Treatments typically use wavelengths between 600–1000 nm, applied weekly or biweekly leading up to oocyte retrieval or embryo implantation.

While red light therapy and IVF integration is still relatively new, growing anecdotal and clinical interest suggests that this non-invasive therapy may offer meaningful support for women seeking to optimize each IVF cycle.

If you’re struggling with egg quality or ovarian reserve, learn more about how to choose donor eggs.

Why IVF May Fail—Even with Promising Add-Ons

IVF is one of the most advanced fertility treatments available, but it still comes with no guarantees. Success depends on a complex set of biological, medical and even environmental factors.

Understanding these can help intended parents make informed decisions, especially if they’re considering treatments like red light therapy during IVF stims as part of their journey.

Here are some of the most common reasons IVF may not result in a pregnancy:

  • Embryo quality: Even when fertilization occurs, not all embryos develop properly. Genetic abnormalities are a major cause of failed implantation or early miscarriage, especially in women over 35.
  • Egg quality: Eggs with poor mitochondrial function or chromosomal instability may not respond well to stimulation. While therapies like red light therapy during IVF stimulation aim to enhance egg quality, outcomes still vary by individual.
  • Uterine or endometrial issues: An embryo needs a receptive environment to implant. Fibroids, thin uterine lining, or scarring (Asherman’s syndrome) can prevent successful implantation even if the embryo is viable.
  • Hormonal imbalance: Precise hormonal timing is essential for ovulation, egg retrieval and embryo transfer. Disruptions, whether from stress, medical conditions or poor ovarian response, can undermine the cycle.
  • Unexplained infertility: For some couples, all standard tests return normal but IVF still fails. This can be the most emotionally challenging scenario, as there’s no clear answer to “why.”

Even with support therapies like red light therapy and IVF, it’s important to know that no treatment can overcome every barrier.

What to Do When Red Light Therapy During IVF Doesn’t Work: Next Steps

If you’ve tried multiple IVF cycles, perhaps with supplements like red light therapy during IVF, and you’re still not pregnant, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed.

Grief, frustration and even a sense of failure can cloud the next steps. But these feelings don’t mean the journey is over. They mean it’s time to reassess.

Here are signs it might be time to consider other paths to parenthood:

  • Repeated IVF failures with or without add-ons like red light therapy
  • Medical advice indicating further attempts may be unlikely to succeed
  • Emotional burnout, where the process is taking a toll on your mental health
  • Financial strain from paying for multiple cycles without results
  • A desire to move forward with more predictable outcomes

Whether you’re facing uterine complications, recurrent miscarriages or simply ready for a change in direction, surrogacy may offer the clarity and renewed momentum you need.

Turning the Page: Could Surrogacy Be Your Next Step Toward Parenthood?

If red light therapy during IVF and other fertility interventions haven’t worked, and you’re not ready to continue IVF, surrogacy may offer a new path forward.

With surrogacy, your embryo, created using your sperm and/or eggs or with donor assistance is transferred into a surrogate’s uterus. This allows you to maintain a genetic connection while avoiding the medical complications that may make carrying a pregnancy impossible for you.

You might consider surrogacy if:

  • You’ve had multiple failed IVF cycles
  • You’ve experienced recurrent pregnancy loss
  • You have a medical condition that makes pregnancy unsafe
  • You’ve had a hysterectomy
  • You’re a same-sex male couple or single intended father

Choosing surrogacy doesn’t mean giving up, it means choosing a new, empowered way forward in your parenthood journey.

Learn more about surrogacy after failed IVF.

Why More Families Are Choosing Surrogacy—and Trusting Us to Help

If you’re exploring surrogacy after unsuccessful IVF or red light therapy during IVF, American Surrogacy offers the trusted guidance and care you deserve.

We are:

  • Family-focused: Founded by people who’ve lived this journey firsthand
  • Efficient: Short wait times and expert-matched surrogates
  • Secure: Prescreened surrogates and a risk protection program
  • Compassionate: Real support from real people who care deeply

With decades of experience and thousands of families created, we’re here to help you navigate this next step with confidence.

Your Journey Isn’t Over: Explore What Comes Next With Confidence

Exploring red light therapy and IVF may offer hope, but if the road doesn’t lead where you’d hoped, there is still a path forward. Surrogacy isn’t a fallback, it’s a forward motion toward the family you’ve always dreamed of.

Let American Surrogacy be your next step in making that dream a reality.

Ready to talk? Contact us today to explore how surrogacy can help you grow your family.

Surrogacy Doula: Why This Support Role Matters for Surrogates

A surrogacy doula offers hands-on birth support and emotional care tailored to the surrogate experience. Learn how they help and how to include one in your plan.

Surrogates give deeply of themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually to make someone else’s dream of parenthood come true.

One of the most meaningful additions to that support team is a surrogacy doula.

Whether you’re currently carrying a baby for another family or preparing to begin your journey, a surrogacy doula can offer emotional stability, physical comfort and advocacy tailored to your unique experience.

Curious how a surrogacy doula fits into your birth plan? Talk to a surrogacy specialist to learn how to thoughtfully include this care in your journey.

What Is a Surrogacy Doula?

A surrogacy doula is a trained, non-medical birth professional who provides continuous support to a surrogate throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery. Unlike midwives, who provide medical care, surrogacy doulas focus on:

  • Emotional reassurance
  • Hands-on comfort techniques
  • Personalized guidance during birth
  • Advocacy for the surrogate’s preferences

The presence of a surrogacy doula adds another layer of safety and compassion to the birth space,  especially in third-party reproduction, where clarity and consent are paramount.

How a Surrogacy Doula Supports Surrogates

Being a surrogate involves unique emotional and logistical experiences. A surrogacy doula understands these nuances and is trained to support the surrogate holistically, before, during, and after delivery.

Before Birth

  • Helps the surrogate develop a birth plan and prepare emotionally for delivery
  • Offers space to process the upcoming transition and expectations

During Labor

  • Provides physical support through massage, position assistance, water therapy and breath work
  • Helps maintain a calm, respectful and empowering birthing environment

After Delivery

  • Assists with emotional closure and physical recovery
  • Supports the surrogate in feeling honored and grounded after birth

Having a surrogacy doula with trauma-informed training can be especially helpful in ensuring the surrogate feels emotionally safe, heard, and respected throughout the process.

Does a Surrogacy Doula Help Intended Parents Too?

Yes, a surrogacy doula doesn’t only benefit the surrogate. Their supportive role also enhances the experience for intended parents, particularly in the emotionally charged birth space.

A surrogacy doula can:

  • Facilitate communication between the surrogate and intended parents
  • Help all parties feel informed and included
  • Offer reassurance and context about what’s happening during labor
  • Support the development of trust and emotional connection in a vulnerable moment

This kind of balance can transform a clinical delivery into a collaborative, compassionate experience for everyone involved.

Doula vs. Midwife in Surrogacy Births

The distinction between a doula vs. midwife is important:

  • Doulas offer emotional and physical comfort, but do not have medical training and cannot administer medicine.
  • Midwives are licensed medical providers who can provide care and monitoring and deliver babies.

Both play vital, but different, roles. Most surrogate deliveries will involve an OB-GYN or midwife and can be enriched by the presence of a doula.

Is a Doula Included in Agency Services?

While American Surrogacy does not automatically include a surrogacy doula as part of the standard services or surrogate compensation, we’re happy to help facilitate this support.

  • Surrogates can request a surrogacy doula as part of their birth plan or contract
  • Intended parents can choose to fund this service as an investment in their surrogate’s well-being
  • Our team can connect you with vetted surrogacy doulas in your area

We understand how meaningful this support can be and are committed to helping you integrate it into your journey.

Contact us today to learn more about how the surrogate compensation and benefits available to you throughout your surrogacy journey.

How Much Does a Surrogacy Doula Cost?

The cost of hiring a surrogacy doula typically ranges from $800 to $2,500, depending on location, experience, and additional services.

What to Know About Costs:

  • Surrogates can request doula coverage as part of their compensation agreement
  • Intended parents often include a surrogacy doula in the budget to ensure the surrogate feels well-supported
  • American Surrogacy can match you with families willing to cover this cost

This kind of proactive support strengthens trust and communication throughout the journey.

How to Choose a Doula for a Surrogacy Birth

When selecting a surrogacy doula, it’s important to prioritize alignment emotionally, culturally and professionally.

Look for:

  • Experience supporting surrogates or in third-party reproduction
  • Trauma-informed or culturally competent care
  • Comfort navigating hospital protocols and interacting with medical staff
  • Values that resonate with your own

A good surrogacy doula will feel like a calming, affirming presence someone who respects your role, your boundaries and your emotional journey.

Find a Surrogacy Doula Near Me

Use these trusted sites to search for a local doula:

You can also reach out to your American Surrogacy Specialist for help identifying surrogacy doulas familiar with surrogate birth dynamics.

We’re Here to Help You Feel Fully Supported

At American Surrogacy, we believe that every surrogate deserves comprehensive support, not just legal and medical, but emotional and physical as well. A surrogacy doula can be a powerful part of that support system.

If you’re interested in learning more or exploring how to include a surrogacy doula in your contract or journey plan, our team is here to help.Talk to a surrogacy specialist today and take the next step toward a deeply supported surrogacy experience.