Does a Surrogate Mother Share DNA With the Baby?

two men and baby

With advancements in reproductive medicine, surrogacy has opened doors to parenthood for a wide range of people, from couples facing infertility to single parents and same-sex couples. Surrogacy offers unique ways to build a family, yet common questions about the process persist, including one of the most frequently asked: does a surrogate “mother” share DNA with the baby she carries? This question often arises from curiosity about the roles and relationships involved in surrogacy, as well as from a desire to understand how the process works biologically. (It’s worthwhile to note that while the term “surrogate mother” is very common via searches, more modern practices advocate for calling surrogates “gestational carriers” or other less charged terms because surrogates are not the parents to the child.)

Types of Surrogacy and Genetic Connections

Modern surrogacy encompasses two distinct approaches that determine whether any genetic material is shared between a surrogate and the baby. Each type of surrogacy arrangement follows different medical protocols and involves various levels of participation from fertility clinics, medical specialists, and egg or sperm donors. The choice among these approaches often depends on the specific needs and circumstances of the intended parents.

In gestational surrogacy, the most common form today, an embryo is created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) at a fertility clinic. During this process, eggs are retrieved from either the intended mother or an egg donor, then fertilized in a laboratory setting with sperm from either the intended father or a sperm donor. The resulting embryo is then transferred to the surrogate’s womb. Because the gestational carrier provides only the environment for the baby’s growth, she shares no genetic material with the child. This is why surrogates often prefer to be referred to as “gestational” surrogates or carriers, instead of the outdated term “surrogate mother.”

Traditional surrogacy follows a different path and creates a more complex genetic relationship. In this arrangement, the surrogate provides her own eggs, which are fertilized through insemination using sperm from either the intended father or a donor. This means the surrogate is biologically connected to the child she carries, contributing half of the baby’s genetic makeup. While this approach was once common, most surrogacy programs today focus exclusively on gestational surrogacy to create clearer boundaries in the family-building process. How traditional surrogacy works from a surrogacy law standpoint varies state-by-state.

The Surrogacy Journey

The path to surrogacy often begins with intended parents exploring their family-building options. For many couples experiencing infertility, surrogacy provides a way to have a child who shares a genetic connection with one or both parents. Same-sex couples, or LGBTQ couples, may choose surrogacy to create their families, sometimes combining surrogacy with egg or sperm donation. Single parents also pursue surrogacy, working with donors and a surrogate to achieve their dreams of solo parenthood.

Reputable surrogacy agencies play a crucial role in guiding intended parents through this complex process. These organizations act as experienced professionals, carefully screening potential surrogates through extensive medical, psychological, and lifestyle evaluations. Beyond matching services, agencies coordinate the entire surrogacy process, managing communications, appointments, and logistics among all parties involved. They help match surrogates with intended parents, considering factors like location, medical history, and shared values. This matching process forms the foundation for a successful surrogacy journey, as both parties typically maintain a relationship throughout the pregnancy and oftentimes beyond.

The Medical Process in Surrogacy

The medical aspects of gestational surrogacy begin at fertility clinics specializing in assisted reproductive technology. For intended mothers using their own eggs, the process starts with ovarian stimulation medications to produce multiple eggs. When donor eggs are used, the egg donor undergoes this stimulation process. The fertility clinic carefully monitors hormone levels and egg development through blood tests and ultrasounds to determine the optimal time for egg retrieval.

Following egg retrieval, the in vitro fertilization process involves fertilizing the eggs with sperm in a laboratory environment. Embryologists monitor the resulting embryos for several days, evaluating their development and quality. Success rates in IVF have improved with advancements in reproductive technology, though outcomes can vary based on factors like egg quality, embryo development, and the surrogate’s uterine health. Surrogacy agencies work closely with fertility clinics to optimize each step of the medical process, enhancing the chances of successful implantation and a healthy pregnancy.

Meanwhile, the surrogate’s womb must be prepared to receive the embryo through a carefully coordinated medication protocol. This preparation typically involves estrogen and progesterone to create optimal conditions for embryo implantation. The embryo transfer procedure itself is relatively simple, performed without anesthesia, and takes only a few minutes. However, the success of the transfer depends on precise timing and proper hormone levels.1

The Placenta’s Role in Surrogacy

During a surrogate pregnancy, the relationship between carrier and baby is facilitated through the placenta, a remarkable organ that develops specifically for each pregnancy. While gestational carriers do not share DNA with the baby, the placenta creates a sophisticated biological connection that supports fetal development throughout the pregnancy. This temporary organ serves as both a lifeline and a gatekeeper, allowing for nutrient exchange while maintaining separate blood systems between surrogate and baby.

The placenta’s role in surrogate pregnancy demonstrates how a gestational carrier can nurture a baby’s growth without sharing genetic material. Acting as a natural filter, the placenta allows oxygen, nutrients, and beneficial hormones to pass from the surrogate’s blood supply to the baby while preventing the mixing of their blood. This sophisticated barrier system ensures that while the surrogate’s body provides essential nourishment, the baby maintains its distinct genetic identity inherited from the biological parents or donors.2

Genetic Influences and Physical Characteristics

A common question from intended parents involves whether the baby might look like the surrogate mother due to carrying the pregnancy. In gestational surrogacy, the baby’s physical characteristics are determined entirely by the genetic material from the egg and sperm providers, whether they are the intended parents or donors. The surrogate’s genes do not influence traits like eye color, hair type, height potential, or other inherited characteristics.

However, recent research in epigenetics has revealed subtle ways that a surrogate’s pregnancy environment can influence gene expression without altering the baby’s fundamental genetic makeup. These influences might affect how certain genes are activated or suppressed, potentially impacting aspects of development like metabolism or immune system function. The surrogate’s diet, stress levels, and overall health during pregnancy can create these epigenetic effects, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy pregnancy environment.

Many intended parents also wonder about blood type inheritance and biological connections. The baby’s blood type is determined solely by the genetic parents’ blood types, not the surrogate’s, despite the shared blood supply through the placenta. Similarly, carrying a surrogate pregnancy does not affect the genetic makeup of any future children the surrogate might have, nor does it create any lasting genetic connection between the surrogate and the baby she carries.

Learn More About Surrogacy

The journey to parenthood through surrogacy combines advanced reproductive science with the dedication of surrogates who help make families complete. Whether you’re considering gestational surrogacy or exploring other family-building options, having experienced guidance can make all the difference. At Creative Family Connections, our team specializes in helping intended parents navigate the surrogacy process, from choosing the right approach to matching with a surrogate and coordinating with fertility clinics. Contact us today to learn more about how surrogacy can help you build your family.


  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6262674/
  2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9226198/
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