If you’re considering surrogacy, you might be wondering about the requirements for embryos. Whether you already have embryos from previous in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments or are just beginning your fertility journey, understanding the process of creating embryos for surrogacy is essential. If you’re using embryos made before you chose surrogacy, we can match you with a surrogate and begin the journey of growing your family. You can browse our available surrogacy situations now. If you are considering surrogacy and have not yet created embryos, you’ll need to do so before you can find a surrogate. In the meantime, we can help you get started by guiding you through our surrogacy planning questionnaire. Having this done ahead of time means you’ll be ready to be matched with a surrogate when your embryos are ready. Once you’re ready, you can fill out our form or call 1-800-975-BABY to get in touch with a surrogacy specialist. This guide is designed to provide clarity into what you can expect when you start the process and move toward your goal of becoming a parent.
The Process of Creating Embryos for Surrogacy [Complete Guide]
Creating embryos for surrogacy involves a series of medical steps. Whether you’re using your own eggs or a donor’s, here is what you can expect during the creation process:
Step 1: Ovarian Stimulation
During this phase, you’ll undergo hormone treatments to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This is important because having several eggs increases the chances of successful fertilization and embryo development. You’ll be monitored closely through blood tests and ultrasounds to ensure your ovaries respond well to the medication.
Step 2: Egg Retrieval (or Find a Donor)
Once your ovaries have produced enough mature eggs, the next step is egg retrieval. This procedure is typically performed under sedation and involves collecting the eggs from your ovaries using a fine needle. If you’re not using your own eggs, this step will involve selecting an egg donor whose eggs will be retrieved instead.
Step 3: Fertilization
Fertilization is when the retrieved eggs are combined with sperm in a laboratory setting. This can be done through traditional in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. After fertilization, the eggs become embryos, and the development process begins.
Step 4: Embryo Development
Embryo development is a critical stage, as it determines which embryos are viable for transfer. Over several days, the embryos will develop into different stages, starting as a single cell and eventually becoming a blastocyst. The blastocyst stage, which is usually on day five, is particularly important because it indicates the embryo’s readiness for implantation. The more embryos that reach this stage, the higher your chances of a successful surrogate pregnancy.
Step 5: Cryopreservation
Cryopreservation, or freezing, is the final step in the embryo creation process. Once your embryos reach the appropriate stage of development, they are carefully frozen for future use in surrogacy. This allows the embryos to be stored safely until you’re ready to proceed with your surrogacy plan. This step is essential because you’ll need time to complete genetic testing before moving forward.
Experiencing failed implantation after creating embryos can be tough. Despite the setbacks you’ve faced, there is hope. If you already have frozen embryos from a previous IVF cycle, you don't need to go through the process of creating new ones for surrogacy. These existing embryos can be used in the surrogacy journey, allowing you to move forward without the added emotional and financial strain of additional IVF procedures. Our agency is here to help you navigate this next step, providing the support and guidance you need to bring your family dreams to life.What If I Already Have Frozen Embryos from IVF?
When Do I Need to Do Genetic Testing for Surrogacy Embryos?
Genetic testing, specifically preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), is usually required for surrogacy. This testing checks for chromosomal abnormalities, helping to ensure that the embryos selected for transfer have the best chance of resulting in a healthy pregnancy.
PGT-A can be done after your embryos reach the blastocyst stage. An embryologist will remove a small sample of cells from the outer layer of each embryo to analyze. Because the testing results may take one or two weeks, your embryos will be frozen in the meantime.
In some cases, there may also be testing before egg retrieval when using embryos for surrogacy. This could include:
Blood test to monitor your hormone levels and response to certain medications Medical exam to ensure you’re healthy overall Ultrasound to track the development of follicles in your ovaries
You will want to talk with your fertility specialist so you know what other tests and steps to expect during the embryo creation process.
Having embryos ready is a crucial part of starting the surrogacy process, but there are other important steps you can take if you are still in the embryo creation process. One of these steps is completing your surrogacy planning questionnaire and intended parent profile. The surrogacy planning questionnaire helps you outline your preferences, expectations and any specific requirements you may have for surrogacy. The intended parent profile is a way for potential surrogates to learn more about you, your values and what you’re hoping to achieve. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to reach out to a surrogacy agency or professional who can guide you through these steps. Filling out our contact form and talking with one of our surrogacy specialists will ensure you’re prepared and supported as you embark on this incredible journey toward parenthood.Next Steps While Creating Embryos for Surrogacy