How Do Egg Donation and Surrogacy Work Together
An ACRC Surrogacy webinar with Utah Fertility Center and guest speaker Dr. Deirdre A. Conway
Egg donation and gestational surrogacy can work together through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Donor eggs are fertilized with sperm to create embryos, and an embryo is transferred to a gestational surrogate who carries the pregnancy for the intended parents. The egg donor and the gestational surrogate have different roles: the donor provides the eggs, while the surrogate carries the pregnancy without providing her own eggs.
If you are exploring this path to parenthood, understanding those roles is a helpful place to start. ACRC Surrogacy welcomes guest speaker Dr. Deirdre A. Conway of Utah Fertility Center in our webinar, “Building Your Family Through Egg Donation and Surrogacy.” The recording offers an opportunity to learn more about the connection between these family-building options.
Whether you are beginning your research or ready to discuss your options, book a free intended parent consultation with ACRC.
Meet guest speaker Dr Deirdre A Conway
Dr. Deirdre A. Conway is a physician at Utah Fertility Center, board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her clinical interests include third-party reproduction, LGBTQ+ family building, and fertility preservation. She also has a strong interest in educating patients throughout fertility evaluation and treatment.
We are pleased to welcome Dr. Conway as our guest speaker and connect intended parents with information from a fertility specialist. Learn more about Dr. Conway and her background.
What is the difference between egg donation and surrogacy
Egg donation provides eggs for fertility treatment. In donor egg IVF, the eggs are fertilized in a laboratory using sperm from an intended parent or a sperm donor. The resulting embryo may be transferred to an intended parent who can carry a pregnancy or to a gestational surrogate.
Gestational surrogacy involves a person carrying a pregnancy for another individual or couple. The surrogate does not provide the egg used to create the embryo and therefore does not have a genetic connection to the child through her own egg.
You may need egg donation, surrogacy, or both. A fertility specialist can help you understand which options fit your medical circumstances and family-building goals. For background, see ASRM’s patient education guide to third-party reproduction.
Who might consider donor eggs and a gestational surrogate
Donor eggs may be an option for people who cannot achieve pregnancy using their own eggs, including some patients with reduced ovarian function or previous unsuccessful IVF treatment. Some patients also consider donor eggs because of an inherited condition they wish to avoid passing on.
A gestational surrogate may be needed when an intended parent cannot carry a pregnancy or when pregnancy would pose a serious medical risk. Gay male couples and single men may use donor eggs and a gestational surrogate to build their families.
These decisions are personal. Your fertility team can explain the medical options, while counseling can help you explore the emotional aspects of donor conception. Learn about Utah Fertility Center’s donor egg services.
How does the egg donation and surrogacy process work
The exact sequence depends on whether you already have embryos, your clinic’s requirements, and donor and surrogate availability. A typical planning framework includes the following steps.
Initial consultations. Discuss your family-building goals, medical history, treatment options, and coordination needs with your fertility clinic and agency.
Donor selection and screening. If donor eggs are needed, review donor options and confirm the clinic’s medical, genetic, infectious disease, and psychological screening requirements.
Legal planning. Work with qualified reproductive law attorneys on the relevant agreements and parentage planning before proceeding with the associated treatment steps.
IVF and embryo creation. The clinic manages the donor’s treatment and egg retrieval when a fresh donor cycle is used, or uses previously frozen donor eggs. Eggs are fertilized to create embryos.
Surrogate matching and clearance. Identify a potential match, complete the required screening, and obtain the necessary medical and legal clearances.
Embryo transfer and ongoing support. The fertility clinic manages transfer preparation and treatment. If pregnancy follows, the care team and agency coordinate the next stages of support.
Some stages can overlap. Ask your team which milestones must be completed before the next step. Explore ACRC’s egg donation process and surrogacy process for intended parents.
How ACRC supports intended parents
ACRC Surrogacy, also known as ACRC Global, is a U.S.-based surrogacy and egg donation agency headquartered in Irvine, California. We support intended parents in the United States and internationally with surrogate matching, donor services, fertility coordination, and case management.
Our role is to help you understand the agency process and coordinate with the professionals involved in your journey. Your fertility clinic directs medical treatment, and your independent attorneys provide legal advice. This collaboration helps you understand who is responsible for each decision and what comes next.
Start with these resources:
Questions to bring to your consultation
Watching the webinar can be a starting point for a more personal conversation. Before your consultation, write down what you would like to understand:
Do I need donor eggs, a gestational surrogate, or both?
What screening and approvals are required for my situation?
What are the differences between the donor options available to me?
Which services are included in the agency fees, and which costs are billed separately?
What could affect my timeline, and what happens if treatment is unsuccessful?
If I live outside the United States, what travel and legal planning should I discuss with the relevant professionals?
Frequently asked questions
Do all surrogacy journeys require an egg donor
No. Embryos may be created using an intended parent’s eggs or donor eggs. Some intended parents already have embryos. Your fertility clinic can help assess the available options.
Is a gestational surrogate genetically related to the baby
A gestational surrogate does not provide the egg used to create the embryo. The genetic contribution comes from the egg and sperm sources.
Can I use donor eggs without a surrogate
Yes. If an intended parent can carry a pregnancy and is medically cleared for treatment, an embryo created with donor eggs may be transferred to that intended parent.
How much does egg donation and surrogacy cost
There is no single price for every journey. Ask for an itemized estimate covering agency services, donor and surrogate compensation, clinic treatment, medications, legal work, insurance, and potential additional expenses.
How long does the process take
Timing varies with donor and surrogate availability, screening, legal agreements, embryo creation, and treatment outcomes. Ask your agency and clinic for a timeline based on your circumstances.
How do I start with ACRC
Schedule a free intended parent consultation to discuss your goals, learn about ACRC’s programs, and identify the next steps for your situation.
Take the next step toward parenthood
You do not need to have every answer before reaching out. Whether you are researching donor eggs, considering a gestational surrogate, or looking for support with both, we welcome the opportunity to learn about your goals.
Watch the webinar with Dr. Conway, then book your free intended parent consultation with ACRC Surrogacy. Together, we can discuss your options and help you plan your next step.
This article provides general educational information and does not replace individualized medical or legal advice. Treatment decisions should be discussed with your fertility specialist, and legal questions with a qualified attorney.
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