IVF, Egg Donation and Surrogacy for Korean Intended Parents: An Interview With Dr. Susanna Park
For Korean Intended Parents considering fertility treatment or surrogacy in the United States, the number of medical, logistical and emotional decisions can feel overwhelming. Should you try another IVF cycle? When might egg donation be appropriate? Could gestational surrogacy provide another path to parenthood? What happens if your embryos are already frozen in Korea?
To help families understand these questions, ACRC Surrogacy hosted Dr. Susanna J. Park of San Diego Fertility Center for a conversation about IVF, egg donation, gestational surrogacy and fertility care for Korean and international patients.
Dr. Park brings extensive experience in reproductive medicine and a deeply personal understanding of international care. Born in Seoul, she speaks Korean, English and Spanish. Her clinical interests include IVF, egg donation and gestational surrogacy. Before joining San Diego Fertility Center in 2012, she practiced at Columbia University in New York City. Learn more about Dr. Susanna Park. Find out more about Dr. Park on Global Doctors
Who Is Dr. Susanna Park?
Dr. Susanna J. Park is a fertility specialist at San Diego Fertility Center. Her professional background includes reproductive medicine, IVF, intrauterine insemination, egg donation and gestational surrogacy. Her approach combines advanced fertility care with individual attention and compassionate communication.
For Korean patients, the ability to communicate with a physician in Korean can be especially meaningful. Fertility treatment involves complex medical decisions, and discussing personal concerns in a familiar language may help patients ask detailed questions, understand their options and feel more confident in their care.
Dr. Park’s motivation reflects one of the most important themes of the interview: every family building journey is different. A successful care plan begins by understanding the patient’s medical history, goals, previous treatment and personal circumstances.
What Makes San Diego Fertility Center an Option for International Patients?
Korean Intended Parents traveling to the United States need more than a clinical procedure. They need a coordinated plan that accounts for medical records, travel, treatment timing, laboratory communication and ongoing follow up.
San Diego Fertility Center works with domestic and international patients and provides individualized fertility treatment. In the interview, Dr. Park discusses the value of personalised treatment plans, advanced IVF laboratory practices, an experienced medical team and clear communication throughout the journey.
The key point for international patients is simple: fertility care should be designed around the individual, not based on a standard plan applied to everyone. Previous IVF outcomes, age, ovarian reserve, sperm factors, embryo development, uterine health and family building goals may all affect the next recommendation.
Why Can IVF Be Unsuccessful?
IVF can be unsuccessful for many reasons, and one unsuccessful cycle does not provide the same answer for every patient. Possible contributing factors may include egg or embryo quality, chromosomal factors, sperm related factors, uterine conditions, implantation issues or differences in how a patient responds to medication.
For Korean Intended Parents who have already completed unsuccessful IVF treatment, the next step is usually a careful review rather than an automatic repeat of the same protocol. A fertility specialist may examine:
Prior stimulation protocols and medication response
Egg maturity and fertilization results
Embryo development and grading
Any previous genetic testing
Uterine anatomy and endometrial factors
Sperm testing and male fertility considerations
Pregnancy history, including implantation failure or pregnancy loss
Additional testing may be appropriate in some cases, but more testing is not always better. The most useful evaluation is one selected for the patient’s history and circumstances. The goal is to identify information that could genuinely change the treatment plan.
When Should Intended Parents Consider Egg Donation or Surrogacy?
Egg donation and gestational surrogacy are different family building options that address different needs.
Egg donation may be discussed when egg quantity or quality makes pregnancy with a patient’s own eggs less likely. This can be associated with age, diminished ovarian reserve, certain genetic concerns or repeated IVF cycles that have not produced transferable embryos. The decision should follow a personalised consultation with a qualified fertility physician.
Gestational surrogacy may be considered when carrying a pregnancy is not possible or is medically inadvisable, or after certain histories of repeated implantation failure or recurrent pregnancy loss. It can also be a family building option for Intended Parents who do not have a uterus or cannot carry a pregnancy.
Neither option should be treated as a universal next step after unsuccessful IVF. A fertility specialist should assess the medical considerations, while an experienced surrogacy and egg donation agency can help Intended Parents understand matching, screening, coordination, legal support and the practical stages of the journey.
How Have Advances in IVF Improved Fertility Care?
Modern IVF care has benefited from improvements in laboratory systems, embryo culture, cryopreservation, genetic testing and personalised treatment protocols. These tools can give fertility specialists more information and greater flexibility when planning care.
Advances do not guarantee a successful outcome, and not every technology is appropriate for every patient. Their value depends on the patient’s diagnosis, age, reproductive history, embryos and treatment goals. Korean Intended Parents should ask their physician why a specific test or technique is being recommended, what question it is intended to answer and whether it is likely to change the treatment plan.
This individualized approach is especially important for families who have already completed treatment in Korea and are considering continuing care in the United States.
Common Concerns for Korean Intended Parents Pursuing Treatment in the United States
Korean Intended Parents often need to make decisions across two countries, two healthcare systems and different cultural expectations. Common questions may include:
How can medical records be reviewed before travelling?
Which appointments must take place in person?
How long should Intended Parents expect to remain in the United States?
Can treatment begin in Korea and continue in the United States?
How are language and time zone differences managed?
How will the fertility clinic and surrogacy agency communicate?
What medical and legal steps are required for surrogacy?
How can frozen embryos be transported safely from Korea?
A coordinated team can help organise these moving parts. Medical decisions remain with the physician and patient. Agency support may include fertility coordination, Surrogate or Donor matching, scheduling assistance, communication among professionals and guidance through the broader journey.
Can Frozen Embryos Be Transported From Korea to the United States?
Yes, frozen embryos may be transported internationally when the sending clinic, receiving clinic and applicable requirements allow it. The process should be planned with both clinics and an experienced reproductive tissue transport provider.
Intended Parents may need to coordinate:
Acceptance by the receiving fertility clinic
Medical records, laboratory reports and consent documents
Approval and release requirements from the clinic in Korea
A specialised cryogenic shipping container
Chain of custody and temperature monitoring procedures
Customs, airline and country specific documentation
Confirmation that the receiving laboratory has accepted the shipment
Embryos should never be shipped before both laboratories have reviewed the case and confirmed their requirements. Timelines, documentation and import procedures can vary, so Intended Parents should begin this conversation early.
How Should Intended Parents Choose a Fertility Clinic and Surrogacy Agency?
The right team should offer medical expertise, transparent communication and coordinated support. Intended Parents should consider the following questions.
Questions to ask a fertility clinic
Is the physician experienced with cases similar to mine?
Does the clinic regularly support international patients?
How will the team review my previous IVF records?
How are treatment recommendations explained?
Which success rate is relevant to my age, diagnosis and treatment type?
Can the laboratory receive embryos transported internationally?
How will the clinic communicate with my surrogacy agency and other professionals?
Questions to ask a surrogacy agency
How are Surrogates screened and matched?
What support is provided before, during and after matching?
How are medical, legal, insurance and escrow professionals coordinated?
Who will be my main point of contact?
How often will I receive updates?
Does the agency have experience supporting international and Korean Intended Parents?
Are services, fees and responsibilities explained clearly in writing?
Success rates can be helpful, but they should be interpreted carefully. Clinics may serve different patient populations and may calculate or present outcomes differently. Ask for information that applies to your own treatment rather than relying on a single headline number.
How ACRC Surrogacy and San Diego Fertility Center Coordinate Care
The partnership between a fertility clinic and a surrogacy agency helps connect medical treatment with the wider surrogacy journey. The fertility clinic is responsible for medical evaluation, IVF care, embryo transfer and early pregnancy monitoring. The surrogacy agency supports the matching and coordination process and helps keep the different professionals aligned.
For Korean Intended Parents, coordinated care may include:
An initial consultation to discuss family building goals
Review of medical history and previous fertility treatment
A personalized fertility evaluation and IVF plan
Egg Donor or Surrogate matching when needed
Medical screening and legal clearance
IVF, embryo creation or embryo transport planning
Embryo transfer to the gestational Surrogate
Early pregnancy monitoring by the fertility clinic
Transition to obstetric care after clinical graduation
Ongoing communication and case coordination throughout the pregnancy
Clear roles are essential. ACRC Surrogacy does not replace medical or legal professionals. Instead, its role is to help Intended Parents understand the process, coordinate with the appropriate specialists and move through each stage with consistent support.
Dr. Park’s Message for Korean Intended Parents
One of the most important lessons from the interview is not to delay seeking qualified medical advice when you have concerns about fertility. Every journey is unique, and there may be more than one path to parenthood.
Some Intended Parents may continue IVF with a revised plan. Others may consider egg donation, gestational surrogacy or a combination of options. The right path depends on medical circumstances, personal goals and informed discussions with trusted professionals.
Hope is important, but so is having a clear plan. Begin with a careful review of your history, ask direct questions and choose a team that communicates openly across every stage of care.
Watch the Full Interview With Dr. Susanna Park
In the full video, Dr. Park speaks directly to Korean Intended Parents about fertility treatment in the United States, the questions families should ask and the importance of working with an experienced medical and surrogacy team.
Learn More With ACRC Surrogacy
If you are a Korean Intended Parent exploring IVF, egg donation or surrogacy in the United States, ACRC Surrogacy can help you understand the process and prepare your next steps. Our team supports Intended Parents with fertility coordination, Surrogate and Donor matching and communication throughout the family building journey.
Book a Consultation With ACRC Surrogacy
Every family building journey begins with a conversation. Book a free consultation with ACRC Surrogacy to discuss your goals, previous fertility treatment and the support you may need in the United States.
Medical and legal disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Fertility treatment, egg donation, embryo transport and surrogacy requirements vary by individual circumstances and jurisdiction. Please consult qualified medical and legal professionals for advice specific to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Korean Intended Parents pursue IVF in the United States?
Yes. Korean Intended Parents may receive IVF care in the United States, subject to the clinic’s requirements and an individual medical evaluation. International treatment planning may include record review, travel scheduling, medication coordination and follow up care.
When might egg donation be considered after unsuccessful IVF?
Egg donation may be considered when egg quantity or quality significantly affects the likelihood of creating a transferable embryo. Age, ovarian reserve, genetic considerations and previous IVF results may inform the discussion. A fertility specialist should make an individual recommendation.
When might gestational surrogacy be considered?
Gestational surrogacy may be considered when carrying a pregnancy is not possible or medically advisable, or in some cases involving repeated implantation failure or pregnancy loss. It is also a family building option for Intended Parents who do not have a uterus or cannot carry a pregnancy.
Can frozen embryos be shipped from Korea to the United States?
Frozen embryos may be transported from Korea to the United States when both fertility clinics accept the transfer and all applicable documentation and transport requirements are met. Intended Parents should work with the sending clinic, receiving clinic and an experienced reproductive tissue courier.
What should Korean Intended Parents look for in a United States surrogacy agency?
Look for experience with international families, transparent fees, careful Surrogate screening, reliable case communication and coordination with medical, legal, insurance and escrow professionals. Ask who will support you and how updates will be provided across time zones.
How do ACRC Surrogacy and a fertility clinic work together?
The fertility clinic manages medical evaluation, IVF, embryo transfer and early pregnancy monitoring. ACRC Surrogacy supports matching, process coordination and communication among the Intended Parents, Surrogate and professional teams.
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