How Many Embryos Should We Transfer in Surrogacy? Understanding Single vs. Double Embryo Transfer
- ACRC Global
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
When embarking on your surrogacy journey, one of the big medical decisions you may face is: How many embryos should be transferred to the surrogate — one or two?
It’s a common question for Intended Parents, especially those who’ve invested emotionally and financially in creating embryos through IVF. Some families may hope for twins, while others want to maximize their chances with each transfer.
But embryo transfer isn’t just a numbers game — it’s a medical, legal, and ethical decision that involves your IVF clinic, your surrogate, and your surrogacy agency. At ACRC Surrogacy, we guide Intended Parents through this process so that every decision is thoughtful, safe, and well-supported.
Okay, let’s break down what you need to know.
What Is Single vs. Double Embryo Transfer?
Single Embryo Transfer (SET) involves transferring one embryo into the surrogate’s uterus.
Double Embryo Transfer (DET) involves transferring two embryos, with the hope that one — or both — will implant successfully.
In either case, the goal is the same: a healthy, full-term pregnancy and delivery. But the paths carry different risks and outcomes.
Why Single Embryo Transfer Is Often Recommended
In recent years, SET has become the preferred practice in most reputable fertility clinics — especially in surrogacy — for several reasons:
Lower risk of complications like preterm labor, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia
Safer for the surrogate, physically and emotionally
Better outcomes for babies, including birth weight and NICU stay reduction
Guidelines from ASRM and other medical bodies strongly support SET in most cases
For these reasons, many clinics — especially those following ASRM guidelines — will only allow single embryo transfer for surrogacy cases, unless there’s a compelling medical justification.
But What If We Want Twins?
Some Intended Parents ask about double embryo transfer hoping for twins. This is understandable — twins can feel like a “two-for-one” outcome, especially after long fertility journeys.
However, surrogacy is not structured around creating multiples by request. A twin pregnancy carries higher risks for:
The surrogate’s health
Preterm birth and NICU stays
Legal and financial complications
At ACRC, we follow your clinic’s medical policy and the preferences of the surrogate. All embryo transfer plans must be approved by both the clinic and the surrogate, and many surrogates are only comfortable with SET due to safety.
What Happens Before Transfer at ACRC
As part of our journey coordination, here’s how embryo transfer decisions are handled:
Clinic Consult: Your fertility clinic will evaluate the embryo quality, your fertility history, and best medical practices.
Surrogate Consent: Surrogates must fully agree to the number of embryos transferred and understand the risks.
Legal Clearance: The number of embryos and outcome scenarios are usually referenced in the legal contract.
Agency Guidance: We help both parties align expectations and clarify any misunderstandings about the process.
We never push for any embryo transfer plan that goes against a surrogate’s comfort, medical advice, or clinic policy.
How to Approach This Decision
If you’re feeling uncertain about single vs double embryo transfers, ask yourself:
What does our clinic recommend based on our embryos and goals?
Has our surrogate had past pregnancies — and how were they?
Are we emotionally and financially prepared for the possibility of twins?
What risks are we willing to take?
Every case is unique — and that’s why personalized guidance matters.
How ACRC Supports You
At ACRC, we advocate for informed, ethical, and medically sound surrogacy journeys. Our goal is not to make decisions for you, but to ensure:
You understand the implications
Everyone involved is on the same page
Your child’s future begins in the safest possible way
If you’re planning your embryo transfer, or you have embryos ready and are wondering about next steps, we’re here to help guide that conversation.
Ready to move forward?
Contact us anytime for a one-on-one consultation — and let’s explore what’s best for your family and your surrogate’s health, together.
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