Gestational surrogacy can offer you a viable path to growing your family even if you have only a few embryos available. Whether you have multiple embryos or just one, you can realize your dream of becoming a parent by working with a surrogate. Understanding the embryo requirements for surrogacy is crucial as you prepare for the process. Knowing how many embryos are needed for surrogacy as well as the quality and viability of those embryos, will give you confidence as you embark on this journey. In this article, we’ll go over the number of embryos you’ll need as well as how many embryos to transfer per attempt. If you’re ready to discuss your unique situation, a surrogacy specialist can provide personalized guidance to help you navigate this process. To get in touch, fill out our contact form or call 1-800-875-BABY.
How Many Embryos Are Needed for Surrogacy? [4 Factors to Consider]
In general, it’s recommended that you have three to five embryos for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Not every embryo will result in a viable pregnancy, so having several embryos increases your chances of success.
The number of embryos you have can significantly impact your surrogacy journey. Factors like the quality of your embryos and your surrogate’s preferences play a role in determining exactly how many embryos you might need.
Here are four things to consider when deciding how many embryos are needed for surrogacy:
Younger women often have high-quality embryos, so you may not need as many depending on your age. Embryos confirmed through PGT-A testing to be chromosomally normal are more likely to implant successfully. Embryos are graded based on their appearance and development; higher-grade embryos are considered healthier and tend to have better outcomes. It’s important to carefully review your fertility clinic’s guidelines.
Gestational surrogacy with a single embryo is possible, especially if the embryo has been confirmed through PGT-A testing to be of high quality. A quality embryo is more likely to result in a successful pregnancy. This can be reassuring if you only have one frozen embryo left and don’t know whether to move forward with surrogacy. However, if you only have one or two frozen embryos left, there are additional considerations. The cost of surrogacy may be less economical if the first transfer fails and you can’t or don’t want to create more embryos. Additionally, some surrogates only partner with hopeful intended parents who are willing to complete two or more transfers. If your first transfer doesn’t succeed, you’ll need to consider your next steps carefully. Will you undergo the egg retrieval process again, or will you explore using donor eggs and sperm? These are questions to discuss with your surrogacy specialist.Do I Have Enough Embryos? [One or Two Frozen Embryos Left]
How Many Embryos for a Surrogacy Transfer?
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends transferring a single embryo at a time. This minimizes the risk of multiple pregnancies, which can complicate the surrogate’s health and increase the costs associated with the pregnancy.
Transferring one embryo at a time reduces the likelihood of complications for both the surrogate and the baby. While transferring multiple embryos might seem appealing because it could increase the chance of implantation, it also brings higher risks and additional considerations for the surrogate’s health.
A single embryo transfer is generally safer and can still be highly successful, especially when using PGT-A testing to select the best-quality embryo. Transferring one high-quality embryo to highly qualified surrogate may prove to be more effective than trying IVF on your own.
If you only want to transfer multiple embryos, you should discuss this option with your fertility clinic and surrogacy specialist. They can provide insights into your specific situation and help you decide the best course of action based on the quantity and quality of your embryos.
Every surrogacy journey is unique, and having expert guidance ensures that you’re making informed decisions that align with your goals and circumstances. For more information, contact us online or call 1-800-875-BABY. One of our knowledgeable surrogacy specialists can provide personalized guidance based on your number of embryos.Moving Forward With Gestational Surrogacy