What if the biggest obstacle to having a child wasn’t your ability to be a loving parent—but simply needing the right medical solution?
For many intended parents, surrogacy using donor egg and sperm offers the best path to parenthood—especially if using their own eggs or sperm is not an option.
If you need help finding a fertility clinic to create your embryos using donor IVF for surrogacy, we can help locate reputable clinics near you. Contact us today.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know: how the process works, costs, success rates, and how to find the right donors for your journey.
How Does Surrogacy Using Donor Egg and Sperm Work?
Surrogacy with donor egg and sperm involves creating an embryo through IVF using an egg donor and sperm donor.
The embryo is then transferred to a surrogate who carries the pregnancy to term but has no genetic relationship to the child.
The Double Donor Surrogacy Process
- Find an egg and sperm donor: Find donor eggs and donor sperm through a reputable cryobank or fertility clinic. Consider factors such as genetic health, physical traits, donor heritage and education.
- Embryo creation: The donor egg is fertilized with the donor sperm in a lab to create embryos.
- Embryo freezing: After the embryos have developed for 5-6 days, they are frozen for later use.
- Embryo transfer to a surrogate: A healthy embryo is implanted into the gestational carrier’s uterus.
- Pregnancy and birth: The surrogate carries the pregnancy and delivers the baby for the intended parents.
Wondering if surrogacy with donor eggs and sperm is right for you? Discover how using a donor can help make parenthood possible. Fill out our simple form today.
Who chooses this path?
- Gay couples who need both an egg donor and a surrogate
- Single parents who cannot use their own eggs or sperm
- Infertile couples who have issues with egg and sperm quality
- Individuals with genetic conditions that they do not want to pass on
Success Rates of Double Donor IVF vs. Double Donor Surrogacy
While there are not currently many studies specifically comparing the success rates of double donor surrogacy to double donor IVF, there are studies that show using a surrogate and donor eggs has higher rates of implantation and live birth compared to IVF with donor eggs and no surrogate.
Surrogate with Donor Eggs vs. No Surrogate with Donor Eggs
- Implantation Rate: 53.3% with surrogate and donor eggs vs. 47.4% with donor eggs and no surrogate
- Live Birth Rate: 60.5% with a surrogate and donor eggs vs. 52.2% with donor eggs and no surrogate
Surrogate with Donor Eggs vs. Surrogate without Donor Eggs
- Implantation Rate: 53.3% with donor eggs vs. 30.3% without
- Live Birth Rate: 60.5% with donor eggs vs. 41.5% without
Double Donor IVF Failure: Understanding Your Next Steps
If you have experienced double donor IVF failure or standard IVF failure, there may be underlying medical issues, such as uterine abnormalities or immune system factors, affecting implantation and pregnancy.
In one study, nine couples with unexplained repeated implantation failure(RIF) used a surrogate to have a baby, resulting in a pregnancy rate of 66.66% (6 out of 9 couples).
While success rates vary from person to person, using both donor egg and sperm for surrogacy can significantly enhance the chances of success when egg and sperm quality are major concerns.
A thoroughly screened surrogate can carry the embryo, providing a pathway to parenthood even when multiple IVF cycles have failed.
Understanding the Costs of Surrogacy with Donor Egg and Sperm
The total cost varies based on clinic fees, surrogate compensation and the agency you work wtih. Here’s an estimate:
- Egg donor cost: $10,000 – $20,000
- Sperm donor cost: $500 – $2,000
- Double donor IVF cost: $15,000 – $30,000 (includes lab fees, medications, and embryo transfer)
- Surrogacy process cost: $100,000 – $200,000 (includes surrogate compensation, legal fees, and medical expenses)
Total cost of surrogacy with donor egg and sperm: $125,000 – $250,000
Learn more about the costs of surrogacy. We offer and upfront cost breakdown and financial protection with our Limited Risk Program.
Finding Donor Eggs and Donor Sperm for Surrogacy
When selecting an egg or sperm donor for surrogacy, you can choose donors based on various factors, including:
- Comprehensive genetic screening to rule out hereditary conditions
- Overall health history, including family medical background
- Fertility and reproductive health (egg quality for egg donors, sperm motility for sperm donors)
- Height, eye color, hair color and other physical traits
- Ethnic background and ancestry
- Education and Personality
- Education and career background
- Personality traits, interests, and hobbies
Other Considerations
- Donor’s willingness to be an anonymous or known donor
- Proven fertility (previous successful donations or pregnancies)
Learn more about how to find an egg donor and how to find a sperm donor.
Where to Find Donor Sperm and Donor Eggs
You can find donor sperm and donor eggs through:
- Egg donor agencies
- Clinic-affiliated donor egg or donor sperm programs
- Sperm banks and donor egg banks
Most fertility clinics also offer donor matching services and recommendations based on individual preferences and medical needs.
Take Your First Steps Toward Parenthood
By carefully selecting donors and working with a reputable surrogacy agency, you can successfully navigate the journey to parenthood.
Excited to start your surrogacy journey? Let’s create a personalized surrogacy plan and connect you with the right donor resources. Fill out our form to connect with us today.