Surrogacy Success Rates: Understanding the Odds
There’s no doubt that surrogacy offers hope for many prospective parents longing to start a family. For many, a gestational carrier remains the only option for a genetically related child. For others, recurrent pregnancy loss or other contraindications have significantly reduced the chances of successfully carrying biological children. One of the key factors to consider when exploring this path to parenthood is understanding the surrogacy success rates. From the selection of a surrogate to the quality of embryos transferred, various factors contribute to a successful outcome. Let’s dive in and explore what’s involved in surrogacy success rates.
Genetic Testing of the Embryo
Many fertility clinics commonly recommend genetic screening of embryos. This process allows intended parents and medical professionals to identify embryos free from genetic abnormalities before implantation. Furthermore, the screening is known as PGT testing, and three different types exist: PGTa, PGTm, and PGT-sr.
While the data on the effectiveness and indications for PGTa testing varies, the screening reassures surrogates. To learn more about this process of genetic screening, check out our blog here!
Single or Double Embryo Transfer?
The debate over whether double or single embryo transfers are better depends on various factors, including the age and health of the intended parents or egg/sperm donor, the quality of the embryos, and the preferences of the surrogate and medical professionals. While transferring two embryos may increase the likelihood of pregnancy by providing more opportunities for implantation, it also carries a higher risk of multiple pregnancies, which significantly increases the health risks for both the surrogate and the babies. ASRM guidelines recommend transferring a single embryo at a time in most situations to maximize the chances of a successful and healthy pregnancy (1).
Surrogate Screening and Compatibility
Comprehensive screening of gestational carriers plays a crucial role in increasing the likelihood of an uncomplicated pregnancy. In addition to meeting the surrogate criteria, compatibility between a surrogate and intended parents remains essential. Shared values, goals, and expectations for a surrogate pregnancy all contribute significantly to the success rate of a surrogacy journey. At Stronger Together Surrogacy, our meticulous screening process helps us find surrogates who are an excellent fit for the journey. We aim to get acquainted with our surrogates on a more personal level to provide the best support and create compatible matches. For more details on our process, check out this blog here! Moreover, a surrogate’s lifestyle and nutrition during pregnancy can influence the health of the baby.
Surrogacy as a Solution
By entrusting a gestational carrier to carry their embryo, intended parents can overcome biological barriers and fulfill their dreams of parenthood. Surrogacy provides a trajectory for building families, offering hope and possibility to those who may have otherwise felt hopeless in their quest for a child. Our team at Stronger Together Surrogacy works tirelessly to ensure optimal success rates for every surrogacy journey; from conscientious surrogate screening and intended parent matching to unrivaled personal support throughout the entire journey. We walk with our surrogates and intended parents every single step of the way.
- Guidance on the limits to the number of embryos to transfer: A committee opinion (2021). American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.asrm.org/practice-guidance/practice-committee-documents/guidance-on-the-limits-to-the-number-of-embryos-to-transfer-a—committee-opinion-2021/
