At Cryos, we are proud to assist couples and singles around the world to have happy, healthy babies with the help from one of our egg or sperm donors, and we would be honoured to help you too. Below you can learn more about the option of using surrogacy, and what to consider before getting started.
Can I use donor eggs or sperm for this process?
Yes, donor eggs and donor sperm are available through Cryos donor search. Cryos offers hundreds of altruistic donors from all walks of life, giving you the opportunity to choose a donor that best suits you. Follow the links to our guides on choosing a sperm donor or choosing an egg donor.
What are the types of surrogacy available?
There are two types of surrogacy options that can be utilized with the use of a sperm donor and an egg donor. Here we will walk you through the types of surrogacy and how you can begin your journey to find a donor, and a surrogate as well.
Traditional surrogacy
In traditional surrogacy, a surrogate mother is artificially inseminated, either by the intended father or a sperm donor. In traditional surrogacy, the child is genetically related to both the surrogate mother, who provides the egg, and the intended father or the sperm donor.
Gestational surrogacy
In gestational surrogacy, an egg is used from the intended mother or an egg donor and fertilized with the sperm of the intended father or sperm donor. The fertilized egg, or embryo, is then transferred to a surrogate who carries the baby. In gestational surrogacy, the child is genetically related to the sperm or egg donor used in the process or the mother/father that contributed either their sperm or egg for their child.
Couples and individuals can find gestational surrogacy a great option because it permits one of the individuals to contribute their egg or sperm. In lesbian couples, gestational surrogacy allows for one partner to donate the eggs and the other to carry the child. For gay male couples one or both men can provide the sperm and the surrogate, using a donor egg, carries the child.
When determining the right surrogate mother to carry your child, it is important to find someone who is both mentally and physically capable of providing a safe and healthy environment for your baby. Some recommended things to require from your potential surrogate are listed below:
What should I look for in a surrogate?
- Is the surrogate in good physical and mental health?
- Has she carried and delivered at least one child?
- Has the surrogate had pregnancies that were all free of complications and were full-term?
- Is the surrogate less than 43 years of age (some clinics will accept older woman in certain circumstances; others have younger age cut-offs)
- Is she in a stable living situation?
- Does she smoke or abuse alcohol?
How do I choose the right surrogate agency?
There are many agencies that will match you with a surrogate. When choosing an agency, it is important to understand its credibility, history, and customer satisfaction. This can be accomplished by asking questions and researching reviews of families who have used the company’s services in the past. Important questions to ask include how fees are determined and how surrogates are screened.
What parents should know about potential surrogacy agencies include
- Does the agency have a good customer service team that is available to answer all questions in a respectful and timely manner?
- Does the agency meet the surrogate in person for mental/physical health screenings?
Does the agency evaluate the surrogate's home environment? - Does the agency do reference checks?
- Does the agency do criminal background checks?
- What information do they obtain to avoid a high-risk pregnancy?
Questions about this process?
The use of a surrogate can be a challenging, but very rewarding process that allows you to take the next step on your path to parenthood. If you have any questions about surrogacy with the use of our donor sperm or eggs, please contact one of our Customer Care Representatives.
- Phone: (407)-203-1175
- Email: [email protected]
Or visit our live chat system available on the Cryos website during operating hours.