Eggs, Surrogacy & Intended Parents: Does a Surrogate Use Your Eggs?

If you’re looking to grow your family through surrogacy, you might wonder: Does a surrogate use your eggs? The answer depends on the type of surrogacy—gestational or traditional. Although surrogacy laws vary by state, gestational surrogacy is typically considered the norm. As your trusted partners in this journey, we’re here to help you understand how egg use factors into your role and the surrogacy process. 

Gestational Surrogacy: The Preferred Path for Intended Parents 

In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate does not use her own eggs. Instead, the process relies on in vitro fertilization (IVF) to create an embryo using eggs from either the intended mother or an egg donor, combined with sperm from the intended father or a sperm donor. That embryo is then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus.  

What does that mean for you? 

• If desired, you (or your chosen donor) provide the eggs: This ensures you choose your child’s genetic connections. 

• The surrogate has no genetic link to the baby: She carries the pregnancy but is not biologically related to the child. 

• There’s legal clarity: Gestational surrogacy agreements clearly define surrogate compensation and establish parental rights early on. 

While traditional surrogacy—in which the surrogate uses her own eggs—does exist today, it’s considered extremely rare due to its emotional, ethical, and legal complexities.  

Why Intended Parents Choose Gestational Surrogacy 

Gestational surrogacy using the intended mother’s eggs offers several advantages, including: 

• Genetic connection: For some intended parents, the opportunity to share a biological link with the child is a meaningful part of the journey. Gestational surrogacy can make that possible when using your own genetic material or that of a donor.

• Clear legal framework: The surrogacy process, including parentage, is clearly established, providing greater protection and peace of mind. 

• Established medical process: IVF and embryo transfer procedures are safe and well-regulated. 

• Compassionate collaboration: You’ll partner with a surrogate dedicated to helping you grow your family while maintaining healthy boundaries. 

• Agency support: Most surrogacy agencies work exclusively with gestational surrogates to ensure consistency for all parties. 

The well-established structure and boundaries of gestational surrogacy help everyone involved focus on a shared goal: bringing a healthy baby into the world for you, as intended parents, to love and cherish. 

The Takeaway 

In modern surrogacy, the surrogate typically does not use her own eggs. Instead, gestational surrogacy affords you options such as creating or selecting the embryo or choosing your egg donor to confidently establish parentage.

We’re here to provide surrogacy support in any and every way. Please find more answers to frequently asked surrogacy questions, and visit our blog regularly for additional surrogacy news and resources.