What to Expect from the IVF Process When Using a Surrogate
Choosing to grow your family through gestational surrogacy is a life-changing decision filled with hope and anticipation. While the process is deeply rewarding, it does involve a unique in vitro fertilization (IVF) journey that looks a little different from standard treatment. At Kentucky Fertility Institute, we partner with intended parents, surrogates, and donors to ensure every step is clear, compassionate, and carefully managed. Here’s what you can expect from the IVF process in surrogacy.
Egg Retrieval
Every surrogacy journey starts with an egg retrieval, whether from the intended parent or from a carefully selected donor. If you’re using your own eggs, you’ll begin with injectable fertility medications that encourage the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in a single cycle. This part of the process typically takes 8-14 days and involves careful monitoring with bloodwork and ultrasounds to ensure the eggs are developing as expected. If you’re using a donor, the donor undergoes this preparation instead.
Once the eggs are ready, they’re retrieved in a short, minimally invasive procedure. Patients are often surprised by how quick and straightforward it is, with most feeling well enough to return to their normal activities the next day.
Fertilization and Embryo Development
After retrieval, the eggs are combined with sperm in our lab, either through traditional IVF or a specialized technique called ICSI, where a single sperm is injected directly into each egg. The embryos that develop are then nurtured in carefully controlled conditions for several days. During this time, their growth is closely monitored so that the strongest embryo can be selected for transfer.
Genetic Testing
Around day five or six, embryos may undergo preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). This testing screens for chromosomal or genetic conditions and helps identify the embryos with the strongest chance of leading to a healthy pregnancy. By screening embryos for chromosomal abnormalities and certain inherited genetic diseases, PGT helps lower the risk of miscarriage, increases the chances of a successful pregnancy, and gives intended parents greater clarity in selecting which embryo to transfer.
Selecting a Surrogate
Finding a surrogate can seem like a complex process, but our team is here to walk you through every step of the way. We can either work with a known candidate, like a friend or family member, or help to recruit someone to serve as your surrogate through an agency. Either way, rest assured that your surrogate will undergo rigorous screening to ensure they are an optimal candidate to help you successfully and safely build your family.
Preparing Surrogate for Embryo Transfer
Once we are ready to plan a transfer, the surrogate begins a regimen of fertility medications to prepare her uterus for implantation. Typically, this involves estrogen and progesterone to ensure the uterine lining is receptive. When the time comes, the chosen embryo(s) is transferred into the surrogate’s uterus in a simple procedure that doesn’t require anesthesia and is similar to a pap smear.
Begin Your Surrogacy Journey With KFI
Gestational surrogacy is a remarkable pathway to parenthood, and while it involves many moving parts, you don’t have to navigate them alone. At Kentucky Fertility Institute, we combine advanced IVF technology with hands-on support to make sure each step—egg retrieval, fertilization, genetic testing, and embryo transfer—is handled with care and precision.
If you’re ready to begin your journey or want to learn more about how the process works, schedule an appointment today.