IVF and Surrogacy: What You Need to Know 

Thinking about IVF and wondering where surrogacy fits in? The two are related but not the same. This guide outlines each option, explains their relationship, highlights key differences, and provides typical costs in the United States.  

When IVF and Surrogacy are Used Together 

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a treatment in which eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory, resulting in embryos that are cultured, and one or more embryos are transferred to a uterus.  

“Surrogacy” most commonly refers to “gestational surrogacy”, where a gestational carrier becomes pregnant after transfer of an embryo created via IVF from the intended parent(s) and/or donor gametes (eggs). The carrier has no genetic link to the child.

Because gestational surrogacy requires placing an embryo into a carrier’s uterus, surrogacy always uses IVF as part of the process.

The Surrogacy Process 

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the IVF with surrogacy process. This assumes gestational surrogacy (the most common approach today, where the surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby). 

Step 1: Medical and Legal Preparation 

• Prospective parents meet with a fertility clinic to discuss their medical history, fertility goals, and whether IVF with surrogacy is the right path. 

• The gestational carrier (surrogate) undergoes medical, psychological, and social screening to ensure she is healthy and prepared for the process. 

• Legal contracts are drafted and signed between the intended parents and surrogate, covering rights, responsibilities, and compensation. This step is required before treatment begins. 

Step 2: IVF Stimulation and Egg Retrieval 

• The intended mother (or an egg donor) takes fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. 

• Eggs are retrieved in a short outpatient procedure under light anesthesia. 

Step 3: Fertilization in the Lab 

• Retrieved eggs are fertilized with sperm from the intended father (or a sperm donor) through standard IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). 

• Embryos are cultured in the laboratory for several days. 

• Optional preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) may be done to screen embryos for chromosomal conditions or genetic disorders. 

Step 4: Surrogate’s Uterine Preparation 

• The gestational carrier takes hormones (estrogen and progesterone) to prepare her uterine lining to support implantation. 

• Timing of the embryo transfer is carefully coordinated between the embryology lab and the surrogate’s cycle. 

Step 5: Embryo Transfer 

• One embryo (sometimes two, though this is less common) is placed into the surrogate’s uterus in a simple procedure.  

• The surrogate usually rests briefly, but most clinics allow normal activity afterward. 

Step 6: The Two-Week Wait and Pregnancy Test 

• About 9–12 days after transfer, the surrogate takes a blood test to confirm pregnancy. 

• If successful, early ultrasounds are scheduled to confirm fetal heartbeat and development. 

Step 7: Pregnancy, Delivery, and Beyond 

• The surrogate receives ongoing prenatal care throughout pregnancy. 

• Legal parentage is established according to state law. Sometimes this is through pre-birth orders, sometimes after delivery. 

• At birth, the baby is delivered and united with the intended parents. 

Difference Between IVF and Surrogacy 

Who carries the pregnancy 

With IVF, the embryo is typically transferred into the intended mother’s uterus. With surrogacy, the embryo is transferred into a gestational carrier.

Genetic connection 

In gestational surrogacy, the carrier does not contribute their own eggs, so there is no genetic relationship between the carrier and the child. 

When is surrogacy considered?  

Surrogacy may be appropriate when pregnancy is medically contraindicated or impossible for the intended parent, such as absence of a uterus, significant uterine disease, medical conditions that make pregnancy unsafe, or for single men or male couples. 

Regulations and Ethics Around Surrogacy 

Surrogacy adds legal contracts, ethical safeguards, and carrier screening requirements beyond those in standard IVF. Clinics are advised to follow ASRM guidelines for medical, psychological, and legal processes in gestational carrier cases.  

IVF and Surrogacy Cost 

National IVF cost ranges 

In the United States, IVF is typically paid for out of pocket and can be a significant financial investment. The cost per-cycle generally ranges from 15,000 to 25,000 USD. with add-on services increasing totals from.

Typical add-on expenses can include embryo cryopreservation fees, storage, optional preimplantation genetic testing, frozen embryo transfers (FET), and enhanced medication protocols, all of which can add $5,000 to $15,000 per cycle.

National surrogacy cost ranges 

Total U.S. gestational surrogacy cost usually bundles agency fees, legal work for all parties, medical screening, the carrier’s base compensation and expenses, insurance, and IVF clinical fees.  

This all totals around $100,000 to $180,000 per cycle.  

The carrier’s base compensation generally ranges from $35,000 to $60,000, depending on geography and experience.  

CNY Fertility pricing 

CNY offers IVF packages with standard medications starting at $5,800. This is significantly less than the national average.  

CNY fertility also specializes in travel-friendly care and inclusive financing, making affordable IVF more accessible.

Schedule a consultation today, and explore the cost with our interactive calculator below.  

IVF and Surrogacy: The Bottom Line 

IVF is an assisted reproduction process where embryos are created outside of the body and transferred to a woman’s uterus. Surrogacy is a family-building arrangement in which a screened and consenting gestational carrier carries out the pregnancy, and it uses IVF to create and transfer embryos.