Embryo transfer is a crucial stage in the in-vitro fertilization process, whether it’s being done for intended parents or for a surrogate.
When intended parents explore IVF, they may choose to work with a surrogate to improve their chances of success, especially if they've faced challenges conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term.
If you’re interested in pursuing IVF with a surrogate, contact us online now to get matched within 1-6 months.
In this article, we'll explore the surrogacy vs. IVF embryo transfer process, compare it to traditional IVF without a surrogate and provide insights into the surrogacy embryo transfer success rates and factors that influence these outcomes.
The Embryo Transfer Process: Surrogacy vs. IVF
Surrogacy Embryo Transfer
In surrogacy, the embryo transfer process begins with IVF, where the intended mother's eggs or donor eggs are fertilized with the intended father's sperm or donor sperm in a lab. Once viable embryos are created, they are transferred into the uterus of the gestational surrogate.
This transfer happens after the surrogate's body is carefully prepared with hormone treatments to create an ideal uterine environment for the embryo to implant.
The surrogate undergoes hormonal treatment, including estrogen and progesterone, to ensure her uterine lining is thick enough to support implantation. Depending on the number of embryos available and their quality, one or multiple embryos may be transferred into the surrogate's uterus. Using a thin catheter, the embryos are carefully placed into the surrogate's uterus under ultrasound guidance. The surrogate continues hormone treatments to support implantation and pregnancy. About 10–14 days after the transfer, a blood test (beta hCG) confirms if pregnancy has occurred.Surrogacy Embryo Transfer Process [4 Steps]
IVF Without a Surrogate
If you’re planning on using traditional IVF without a surrogate, the process is quite similar, except that the embryo transfer occurs into the intended mother’s uterus. After egg retrieval and fertilization, the embryos are transferred to the mother’s uterus, assuming her health and uterine environment are conducive to pregnancy.
In this case:
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The intended mother must undergo ovarian stimulation and hormone treatments to produce eggs and prepare her uterus.
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The transfer procedure is the same, with the embryo being placed into the uterus for potential implantation.
Surrogacy Embryo Transfer Success Rates vs. IVF
Surrogacy Success Rates
Surrogacy tends to offer higher success rates than traditional IVF when medical factors impact the intended mother’s ability to carry a pregnancy. Some reasons for this include the surrogate’s health and fertility, as surrogates are typically chosen for their proven ability to carry pregnancies without complications.
Did You Know?
According to data from fertility clinics, the surrogacy success rate for embryo transfers can be as high as 60–70% per transfer, depending on factors like the age of the egg donor and the quality of the embryos.
IVF Success Rate Without a Surrogate
IVF success rate without a surrogate can vary more widely, especially depending on the age and health of the intended mother. Factors like ovarian reserve, uterine conditions and overall health significantly impact the outcomes.
Did You Know?
The average success rate of IVF for women under 35 is about 40–50%, while it decreases as women age. For women aged 38–40, the success rate is closer to 25–30%, and for women over 40, it can drop to 10–15%.
If you’ve experienced multiple IVF attempts and want to explore surrogacy as an alternative path to parenthood, then check out this article to learn more.
Understanding the Success Rate of Surrogacy
Higher surrogacy success rates can offer hope, especially for those who have faced repeated IVF failures due to uterine issues or the intended mother’s age. However, success isn’t guaranteed, and multiple transfers may be necessary.
Gestational surrogates undergo thorough screenings to confirm they are physically fit and emotionally ready for the surrogacy process, providing your embryo with the best possible environment to grow and thrive.
Below are some key qualifications we require from our surrogates, which contribute to higher success rates compared to traditional IVF:
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Age: Surrogates are typically between 21–40 years old, an optimal age range for healthy pregnancies.
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BMI: A healthy body mass index (BMI) between 19–32.
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Previous Healthy Pregnancy: Surrogates must have had at least one full-term, uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery, demonstrating their ability to carry a successful pregnancy.
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Healthy Lifestyle: Surrogates must be non-smokers and free from drug use to ensure the best health for themselves and the baby.
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No Major Medical Issues: Surrogates must have a history free from serious medical complications like preeclampsia, which improves the likelihood of a smooth pregnancy.
Surrogacy tends to have a higher success rate because surrogates are required to meet health requirements, in addition to being thoroughly screened before beginning the process. This ensures a strong foundation for both the surrogate and the baby.
For many intended parents, surrogacy offers a path to higher success rates when IVF alone hasn’t worked. By understanding the factors that affect IVF success rates and managing expectations based on realistic outcomes, you can make the right decision about whether surrogacy or traditional IVF is the best route for you.
If you have embryos created from IVF, get a head start on your journey to parenthood and browse our available surrogates page. With our 1-6 month matching time, you’ll be on the right track toward the best surrogacy experience possible.
Younger eggs tend to result in higher success rates, whether from the intended mother or an egg donor. Women under 35 generally produce higher-quality eggs than women over 40. If the intended mother is older or has experienced diminished ovarian reserve, using a surrogate with a donor egg can dramatically improve success rates. The health of the uterus is critical for successful implantation. Factors such as endometriosis, fibroids, or thin uterine lining can affect the ability to carry a pregnancy. Surrogates are screened for optimal uterine health, making them ideal candidates for embryo transfers where uterine conditions are a concern for the intended mother. Embryos are graded based on their development, and higher-quality embryos have better chances of implantation. Genetic testing of embryos can also help improve success rates by identifying those most likely to result in a healthy pregnancy. In surrogacy, intended parents using a surrogate can opt for pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) to ensure the healthiest embryos are selected for transfer. Both the intended mother in traditional IVF and the surrogate in gestational surrogacy require the right hormonal environment for implantation. An imbalance in hormone levels can hinder success. In surrogacy, the surrogate’s hormone levels are closely monitored and controlled to create the optimal conditions for embryo transfer.Factors Affecting Embryo Transfer Success Rates
If you have embryos created and want to begin your search for a surrogate, contact us online now to find the right match in a short amount of time. With our 1-6 month wait times, you won’t have to wait any longer to become parents. Let us help you fast track your journey to parenthood.