Surrogacy & Fertility Care: A Medical Perspective for Intended Parents: Webinar Recap
- ACRC Global
- Oct 16
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Quick takeaway
If you’re an Intended Parent exploring IVF, PGT, and Gestational Surrogacy, this webinar answers the biggest “where do I start?” questions—from creating embryos to selecting a clinic and understanding surrogate screening, timelines, and success factors.
🎥 Watch the full webinar for details and real examples: Watch on YouTube
Speakers
Christina — Intake Manager, ACRC Global. Works closely with Surrogates and Intended Parents.
Dr. Conway — Board‑certified Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility specialist, Utah Fertility Center (UFC). Expertise in fertility preservation, LGBTQIA+ family building, third‑party reproduction, and comprehensive reproductive medicine.
Who this webinar is for
Individuals and couples beginning a Gestational Surrogacy journey
Intended Parents considering IVF with or without Donor Eggs/Sperm
Families curious about PGT and embryo transfer decisions
What you’ll learn (at a glance)
Where to start: Choosing a trusted agency partner and experienced clinic in third‑party reproduction
IVF fundamentals: How eggs are retrieved, fertilized, and developed into blastocyst‑stage embryos
Timelines: From pre‑IVF testing → stimulation (≈10–12 days) → retrieval → embryo culture (Day 5–6) → optional PGT → freeze → transfer prep (≈3–4 weeks after legal/clearance)
Single‑embryo transfer (SET): Why most clinics now recommend SET and how twin risks are addressed
PGT basics: What genetic screening can (and cannot) tell you
Donor options: Sperm bank vs. agency; egg donor selection and expected egg yields
Surrogate screening: Medical, uterine imaging, infectious disease testing, and comprehensive psychological evaluation
Staying connected: How clinics communicate with Intended Parents (domestic & international) at each step
Starting your journey: Agency + clinic
Many families feel overwhelmed by new terms and decisions. The panel recommends:
Connect with an agency you trust to guide matching, education, and clinic coordination.
Select a clinic with deep experience in third‑party reproduction (egg donation and Surrogacy) to streamline medical, legal, and coordination steps.
Explore ACRC’s support for Intended Parents here: ACRC IVF & Family‑Building Support.
IVF within a Surrogacy journey — step by step
Pre‑IVF testing (a few weeks): Ovarian reserve assessment (antral follicle count, hormones) and infectious disease testing.
Stimulation & monitoring (≈10 days): Tailored injections grow multiple follicles.
Egg retrieval (sedation, ~20 minutes): Eggs are collected; the rest happens in the lab.
Fertilization & culture (5–6 days): Embryos grow to blastocyst stage; can be frozen and stored long‑term.
Optional PGT: Biopsy of a few cells from the embryo’s outer layer prior to freezing for chromosomal testing.
Embryo storage: Cryopreserved embryos remain viable when kept in proper conditions.
Transfer preparation (≈3–4 weeks): After legal clearance and Surrogate medical approval, the Surrogate begins a simpler hormone regimen with limited monitoring, often close to home.
Tip: Most Surrogates complete local monitoring in their home state and travel to the clinic only for medical clearance and embryo transfer.
Why most families choose single‑embryo transfer (SET)
Advances in lab culture and freezing have pushed success rates for single‑embryo transfer close to historical double‑transfer success—while reducing twin risks. Even SET can rarely result in identical twins. The goal is one healthy pregnancy at a time.
PGT in plain language
Pre‑implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) screens embryos for chromosomal aneuploidy. It may help reduce miscarriage risk and inform embryo selection, especially when:
Transferring to a Gestational Surrogate
The egg source is age 37–38+
There’s a history of recurrent miscarriage
PGT offers valuable information but is not 100% definitive, and its impact on live‑birth rates in younger cohorts remains a topic of clinical discussion. Families often appreciate the added insight (including embryo sex information) when planning transfers.
Donor pathways: sperm & eggs
Donor sperm: Typically sourced from FDA‑compliant banks; one vial is usually sufficient for IVF due to high sperm counts per vial.
Donor eggs: Donors undergo the same stimulation and retrieval as any IVF patient, often yielding 20–30 eggs. Families can search for characteristics that matter to them (education, interests, phenotype) through agency programs.
How Surrogates are screened
A thorough medical and psychological evaluation ensures safety and readiness:
Records review & basic criteria: Prior healthy pregnancy, BMI and age within guidelines, overall health, and psychological stability
In‑clinic visit: Full history & physical, labs, infectious disease testing
Uterine imaging: Saline sonogram to assess the uterine cavity and lining for an optimal transfer environment
Psychological evaluation: Comprehensive assessment of readiness, expectations, and support systems
Staying involved as Intended Parents
From embryo creation through transfer and early pregnancy, clinics coordinate frequent updates via the family’s preferred channels (email, phone, text, or international messaging), with local representatives available in multiple regions and languages.
Mind & body: set yourself up for success
This journey can be intense. Many families find value in stress‑reduction routines—sleep, light exercise, mindfulness—and leaning on a trusted circle of support.
Watch the full webinar & talk to our team
🎥 Full webinar: Watch on YouTube
🤝 Complimentary consultation: Connect with ACRC Global or visit our IVF & Family‑Building Support page.
📞 Call us: 949‑418‑8146
We’re here to answer your questions about matching, timelines, legal steps, and the medical process.
Disclaimer
This blog summarizes key points from a public webinar for educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice. Always consult with your physician and care team for recommendations tailored to your situation.