Surrogacy
Surrogacy treatment allows more people than ever before the opportunity to start their own family. Whether part of a same sex couple, a solo parent or a heterosexual couple with a history of fertility challenges, surrogacy allows patients to create a family where they might otherwise be unable to do so. Surrogacy uses a “surrogate” who carries the pregnancy on behalf of the “Intended Parent(s)”, also known as IPs.
CRGH have been helping patients create families through surrogacy for a number of years. In addition to specialist Surrogacy Co-ordinators, we have a dedicated team of nurses and counsellors who work alongside the consultant and IPs, as well as the surrogate, to ensure the process is smooth and efficient. By recognising the unique opportunity that Surrogacy treatment can present, our dedicated team provides outstanding care to everyone involved in what can sometimes seem a complicated process.

How does it work?
Consultation
An initial consultation is the first step in any treatment journey. In this 60 minute appointment you will discuss your medical history and goals with your consultant, who will also tell you more about the treatment types on offer and answer your questions.
Blood tests and investigations
Your consultant will recommend some tests and investigations to ensure you are ready for treatment. Depending on if you are a solo parent, same sex or heterosexual couple, there are various tests that will be required. There are lots of additional tests which our doctors can also recommend should it be appropriate, for example for those who have had unsuccessful treatment in the past
Finding your donor
Some patients will require donated eggs for their surrogate treatment, for example male solo parents or same sex male couples. Donors can be either “known” or “anonymous”. Our Donations team will work with you to help find the right anonymous donor.
Implications Counselling
For anyone undergoing fertility treatment using donated eggs, Implications Counselling is a mandatory part of the process. Our specialist fertility counsellors will help you to understand the things to consider when using donated eggs.
Follow up consultation
Once your test results are back you will meet with your consultant to discuss the results. During this meeting your consultant will also confirm a “treatment plan” based on these results. Surrogacy treatment plans usually involves Intended Parents as well as Donors.
Agree your treatment plan
Before moving forward with any medication or treatment you will need to agree to the treatment plan and estimated costs which our Patient Liaison Team will provide you with.
Nurse consultation
This meeting with one of our specialised fertility nurses marks the start of treatment itself. Your nurse will explain the different steps of treatment and answer any other questions you might have. For those using donated eggs, the donor will also have a nurse consultation to ensure she has all the information needed to undergo stimulation and egg donation.
Stimulation
When the intended parent or the egg donor embark on ovarian stimulation, you or your donor will undergo a course of medication and monitoring which will help ensure the best possible results. During this period you or the donor will have regular scans and blood tests to ensure the ovaries are responding correctly, and their medication will be changed accordingly to ensure the best possible results.
Egg Collection
Having monitored the donors blood and scan results closely throughout stimulation, your consultant will decide when is the optimal time for egg collection. Egg collection usually happens vaginally, under deep sedation in our theatre. Eggs can also be collected abdominally in certain circumstances. Once collected, healthy eggs are taken to our laboratory to be combined with sperm (usually that of the Intended Parent) and fertilised.
Embryo Development
Once fertilised, embryos typically develop for 5 days prior freezing and subsequent transfer to the surrogate. During this time our embryologists closely monitor the way in which the embryo develops, giving an indication of the quality of the embryo. Our embryologists are in constant contact with you during this time to update you on your embryos’ development.
Surrogate Search
With embryos safely in storage, our surrogacy coordinators can signpost you towards organisations which are able to assist with matching you to a Surrogate. Many intended parents start this process alongside the steps outlined above. Alternatively, some intended parents take the opportunity to pause once they have created embryos before embarking on the next stage of the journey.
Legal Considerations
The surrogacy process requires legal advice prior to transferring an embryo to a surrogate. Your surrogacy coordinator or surrogate organisation will help you understand and complete these aspects.
Consultation
Both you and your surrogate will meet with your consultant to discuss how and when an embryo will be transferred. Your consultant will likely also recommend some investigations to ensure your surrogate is able to safely carry the pregnancy.
Surrogate Medication
Your surrogate will usually undergo some medication to prepare her body for the transfer and early pregnancy.
Embryo transfer
Your consultant and embryologist will help you to decide which embryo is the best to transfer for the highest possible chance of a healthy and successful pregnancy. Using a small, flexible tube the chosen embryo will be implanted into the surrogate’s womb to continue its 9 months of development as a completely natural pregnancy.
Pregnancy test
14 days after the embryo transfer your surrogate will take an at home pregnancy test which will confirm the results of your treatment. Whatever the outcome, our team of consultants, nurses and counsellors will be on hand to support you in your next steps.

Our Outstanding Success Rates
Live Birth Rate for PGS Treatment
2021, All Ages Average, Per Embryo Transferred
53.0%
Live Birth Rates for IVF/IMSI/ICSI/PIMSI Treatment
2021, All Ages Average, Per Embryo Transferred
35.4%
Frequently Asked Questions
The process of Surrogacy
How long does Surrogacy take?
Surrogacy treatment can take more or less time depending on lots of factors. For example, Intended Parents who already have a donor and surrogate ready for treatment will be able to move forward much more quickly than those who need to find both a donor and a surrogate. Our intention is always to work for the best possible results, rather than the quickest cycle.
Is Surrogacy suitable for everyone?
In the UK, not everyone is able to start a family using surrogacy. Your consultant will help explain who can and cannot start a family using surrogacy. Generally, surrogacy is an option for solo parents, same sex male couples and heterosexual couples with certain medical conditions which would prevent them from carrying the pregnancy themselves or history of repetitive implantation failure or miscarriages.
Is Surrogacy treatment safe?
Surrogacy is generally a very safe treatment, although there are some risks - particularly those usually associated with IVF. You can read more about the risks below, or visit the HFEA website which explains the risks for IVF and all other fertility treatments available in the UK.
How can I find a Donor and Surrogate?
Our Donations team will help you to find the right donor for you. We can also help you find organisations which exist to help find surrogates.
Can you pause during the Surrogacy process?
Yes, one of the nice things about surrogacy treatment is you are able to “pause” at certain points in the process. For example, you can pause once you have created embryos, while you search for the right surrogate. Speak to your consultant for more information on how to schedule your treatment.
How much does Surrogacy cost?
Treatment costs vary depending on your individual needs, particularly when it comes to medication. You can find an example of the costs on our Pricing page.