What is surrogacy?

Surrogacy definition and how does surrogacy work?

By definition, surrogacy is the process or arrangement of someone giving birth for someone else. Gestational surrogacy helps those who are unable to have children become parents. It’s a process that requires medical and legal expertise, as well as a strong support process throughout the journey. Those who explore surrogacy to have a child are often referred to as Intended Parents (IPs for short).

Through IVF, embryos are created in a lab at a fertility clinic. Sometimes the intended parents use their own genetic material. Sometimes, an egg donor is required. At the fertility clinic, 1-2 embryos are implanted into a gestational carrier, who carries the baby(ies) to term.

Do surrogates use their own eggs for surrogacy? No! Gestational carriers have no genetic relationship to the child(ren) they carry.

What is the surrogacy process?

While understanding the meaning of surrogacy is relatively simple, understanding this process is a little more involved. The replacement uterus process can be complex, and working with an experienced agency such as Circle Surrogacy can help you get through milestones and provide support when you need it most.

An overview of the surrogacy process is as follows:

• Apply as a surrogate or a parent
• Meet all requirements (surrogates) and complete initial consultation (parents)
• Surrogate and Parent Matching
• Medical screenings, surrogate medications and embryo transfer
• Confirmation of pregnancy
• Pregnancy, building a relationship between Intended parents and surrogate
• Delivery day and beyond

What is the meaning of surrogacy for surrogate mothers?

Becoming a surrogate is life-changing. Surrogate mothers – more commonly referred to a gestational surrogates or gestational carriers – are generous and selfless, passionate about family, and willing to help others. Many surrogates form life-long bonds with their intended parents, and remain part of each others' lives well after the baby is born.

To be able to give someone the gift of parenthood is empowering. Women who apply to become surrogates are ready to be 100% dedicated emotionally, mentally and physically for their intended parents.

Frequently Asked Questions About surrogacy

Whether you're considering surrogacy, becoming a parent through surrogacy, or still understanding what is surrogacy, you may have questions along the way. With many experienced surrogates and parents via surrogacy on staff, we've helped families navigate their journeys successfully, and have answered almost every question out there!

What is the difference between traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy?

Gestational surrogacy is when a woman carries a baby for intended parents that she shares no DNA with – her eggs are not used – an embryo is transferred into her uterus. Gestational surrogacies makeup the vast majority of modern surrogacy arrangements. By contrast, traditional surrogates typically become pregnant through artificial insemination, and have a genetic connection to the child or children they carry for their intended parents. We do not arrange traditional surrogacies.

Do I need to work with a surrogacy agency?

Intended parents and surrogates are not required to work with an agency for a surrogacy journey; this type of journey is called an independent or "indy" journey. Understanding how complex the surrogacy process can be, Circle Surrogacy recommends working with a surrogacy agency for both surrogates and intended parents to ensure they receive the support they need, as well as allowing someone to manage the details (and any bumps in the road) as well as having the emotional support available throughout the journey.

How does a surrogate woman (gestational carrier) get pregnant?

A surrogate or gestational carrier gets pregnant when an IVF doctor implants an embryo into her uterus. The surrogate has used IVF medications to prepare her body for the pregnancy. The embryo transfer is rather painless and is a quick procedure; the doctor may ask the surrogate to rest and have limited activity a few days after the transfer.

Surrogacy Acronyms and Abbreviations

The world of surrogacy has a language of its own, and if you aren't familiar with the surrogacy acronyms or abbreviations you might feel like you're reading something in a different language.

Here is a list of common surrogacy acronyms and abbreviations

GC یا GS: Gestational Carrier or Gestational Surrogate

IP (IP): Intended Parents. Also seen as: IF (Intended Father) and IM (Intended Mother)

ED: Egg Donor

IVF: In Vitro Fertilization

RE: Reproductive Endocrinologist

ART: Assisted Reproductive Technology

FET: Frozen Embryo Transfer

SET: Single Embryo Transfer

MET: Multiple Embryo Transfer

BETA: Blood Test for Pregnancy