We’re proud of our IVF success rates. We’ve helped several parents of every kind through their reproductive journeys by counseling them in their decision to pursue In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) combined with surrogacy. We know that as you weigh your options, it’s essential to understand how the IVF surrogacy process works. It’s also important to recognize this choice comes with a number of considerations, but we’re here to help you find your path when it comes to your fertility and your well-being by answering any questions you have around this process.
How Does IVF Surrogacy Work?
IVF involves fertilizing an egg in a laboratory setting, then transferring it into a woman’s womb for gestation. This is the most advanced and effective fertility treatment available today.
Surrogacy is the process of a woman carrying a child in her uterus on behalf of another person or couple.
Some intended parents choose to combine these two processes: they have ORM doctors create an embryo in the lab and then implant it into a surrogate, who then carries the pregnancy on their behalf. It’s also become an ideal process for those with fertility limitations, LGBTQ+ couples and individuals, single fathers by choice, and people looking for a fertility procedure with high success rates.
Gestational vs. Traditional Surrogacy: Know Your Options
It’s essential to differentiate the two types of surrogacy options available so that you can make the best decision for yourself and your family.
In traditional surrogacy, the woman carrying the pregnancy is the biological mother of the baby. Because of this genetic link, this arrangement brings many legal complexities. For instance, parents may need to adopt the child after he or she is born. The surrogate may sometimes want to raise the child herself or be involved in the child’s life. Due to the complicated nature of these situations and lack of protection for the intended-parents, ORM does not offer traditional surrogacy.
Gestational surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman carries a pregnancy for another person or a couple using an embryo created through IVF. The gestational carrier commonly referred to as a surrogate is not genetically related to the baby in any way, which produces fewer legal issues. In almost all cases, the intended parents can establish parentage before birth.
ORM specializes in gestational surrogacy with IVF. We use our medical expertise to select surrogates carefully, and we only approve a small number of women who apply to the program. These decisions lead to the highest levels of safety and success rates for both our surrogates and our families. We also maintain longstanding relationships with highly respected surrogacy agencies across the globe.
The IVF Surrogacy Process: What to Expect
Once the intended parents and their chosen surrogate have completed legal agreements, the medical process begins. It starts with physicians prescribing medication to the egg donor and the surrogate, to synchronize their cycles and stimulate egg growth. Doctors then retrieve the eggs (from the intended mother or egg donor) and combine them with sperm (from the intended father or sperm donor).
Physicians culture one or more of the resulting embryos for several days, then implant them into the surrogate’s uterus. Doctors confirm the implantation’s success, and then the surrogate receives regular medical care throughout gestation. Once she gives birth, the intended parents go home with their new baby.
You can also learn more about IVF here, or by contacting an ORM fertility specialist.
What is the Cost of IVF with Surrogacy?
Because IVF with gestational surrogacy involves multiple medical procedures, you’ll want to consider the combined costs before beginning the process. Legal and agency fees can add to your expenses, as can travel. Insurance coverage may affect expenses, too.
Families and individuals considering IVF surrogacy should expect to pay around $50,000 to $100,000. Costs may run lower or higher depending on circumstances unique to each pregnancy.
ORM has experienced high success rates that can help intended parents minimize costs around IVF surrogacy. We’ve reached a greater than 90% success rate in our IVF and gestational surrogacy program, and a more than 70% twin rate when transferring two or more embryos.
Contact ORM to Learn More About IVF Surrogacy
ORM is here to help intended parents understand the benefits of surrogacy with IVF and whether it’s right for your fertility journey. When you’re ready to begin the conversation about your reproductive options, schedule a consultation with us or make plans to attend one of our Grow Your Family seminars which provides information on surrogacy and other fertility treatment options.
