Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and Surrogacy

For many hopeful parents across the country, the path to f having a child involves more than time and hope. An estimated 11% of women and 9% of men of reproductive age face infertility, according to the NIH. Ongoing advances in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) offer multiple pathways to parenthood, from basic fertility treatments to sophisticated procedures combining several technologies. Surrogacy is one of the most comprehensive approaches to family building because it coordinates multiple ART procedures to help intended parents who cannot carry a pregnancy themselves.

What Is Assisted Reproductive Technology?  

Many types of fertility treatment simply work by supporting the body’s natural processes, such as medications that encourage ovulation or procedures that help sperm reach the egg. These approaches can be highly effective when the reproductive system needs assistance but still functions on its own. When conception inside the body is difficult or not possible, ART brings eggs and sperm together outside the body to create embryos. This technology is essential for many surrogacy journeys and is especially important for same-sex couples and others who need the help of a gestational carrier and/or donor.

Gestational surrogacy journeys rely on ART since creating an embryo outside the body is essential when someone other than the intended mother will carry the pregnancy. ART procedures can be used alone or in combination to address different needs. Common examples can include:  

• Invitro fertilization (IVF): IVF is the most widely used ART procedure. It involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries and combining them with sperm in a laboratory environment. Embryos develop under careful monitoring for several days before being transferred to a uterus. IVF forms the foundation for most gestational surrogacy arrangements and can address various fertility challenges including blocked fallopian tubes, ovulation disorders, and unexplained infertility. It’s also a central part of family-building for same-sex couples, enabling the use of donor eggs or sperm and gestational carriers when needed.
  
• Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT): Before embryo transfer, PGT can screen for chromosomal abnormalities (PGT-A) or specific genetic disorders (PGT-M). This helps identify embryos most likely to result in a healthy pregnancy and reduces the chance of transferring embryos with known inherited conditions, when indicated. Many intended parents find PGT provides valuable information for making informed decisions about their surrogacy journey. However, recent guidance from American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) have clarified that PGT-A does not improve IVF success rates for most patients, and in some cases may even reduce the chance of pregnancy. As with any medical decision, it’s important to discuss the latest research and your unique situation with your fertility team.
• Cryopreservation: This freezing technology preserves eggs, sperm, or embryos for future use, providing flexibility in treatment timing and family planning. Cryopreservation proves particularly valuable for people undergoing medical treatments that affect fertility, and in surrogacy arrangements, it allows embryos to be created and stored until the gestational carrier is ready for transfer.
• Donor gametes: When intended parents cannot use their own eggs or sperm, donor programs provide carefully screened alternatives. Donors undergo comprehensive medical and genetic evaluation to ensure safety and compatibility. These programs follow strict protocols to protect all parties while creating opportunities for biological parenthood. 

ART and the Surrogacy Journey

In gestational surrogacy, ART is an essential part of helping intended parents build their families. The gestational carrier  does not contribute her own eggs. Embryos are created in a laboratory setting before being transferred to the gestational carrier. This process relies on IVF and often additional ART procedures to ensure the best possible outcomes. Some traditional surrogacy arrangements (where the surrogate’s egg is used) may involve intrauterine insemination (IUI) rather than IVF; however, CFC only facilitates gestational surrogacy, which is medically and legally distinct and is the standard in the U.S. today.

A typical ART-supported surrogacy journey includes:

1. Determining the source of eggs and sperm (intended parents and/or donors)
2. Creating embryos via IVF 
3. Optional PGT to inform embryo selection
4. Cryopreserving embryos until the optimal transfer window
5. Coordinating the embryo transfer to the gestational carrier

Throughout the journey, CFC communicates between the fertility clinic, the intended parents, and the gestational carrier to coordinate timing, consents, and medical protocols that will support a healthy pregnancy. ART provides the medical framework that makes surrogacy possible. This includes precise timing and careful selection of embryos. With the dedication of a gestational carrier, intended parents can pursue a surrogacy journey with a clear, structured path toward building their family.

How Creative Family Connections Helps You Navigate ART 

The coordination required for ART procedures can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already navigating the emotional aspects of building your family through surrogacy. Creative Family Connections helps intended parents prepare for each step: from early clinic consultations through embryo transfer and beyond.

• Education and preparation: Our team helps you understand what to expect during medical appointments and provides resources to support informed decisions about procedures like genetic testing or donor selection. While we don’t provide medical advice, we can connect you with trusted professionals and encourage you to consult your medical team for personalized guidance.  
• Seamless Coordination: Throughout your journey, we ensure that your fertility clinic, legal team, and all other professionals involved in your journey  stay aligned on timing, consent requirements, and procedural next steps. When you have questions about any of the advanced ART techniques, we help you understand the basics and connect you with the right medical professionals for detailed guidance. We also coordinate the complex scheduling between you, your gestational carrier, and the fertility clinic to ensure that everyone is prepared for each phase of treatment.
• Legal and logistical diligence: Here at CFC we pay careful attention to detail, from ensuring proper consent forms are completed to coordinating embryo transfer timing with legal clearances. Creative Family Connections handles these coordination challenges so you can focus on your medical treatment and your relationship with your gestational carrier. Our experience with the ART process means we anticipate potential scheduling conflicts, help resolve communication issues, and ensure that both intended parents and gestational carriers understand their roles throughout the medical journey while working closely with your clinical team.

Embark on a Surrogacy Journey With CFC

The journey through assisted reproductive technology and surrogacy involves complex medical procedures, careful timing, and important decisions that affect your path to parenthood. Whether you’re just beginning to explore surrogacy as an option or you’re ready to take the next steps in your family-building journey, Creative Family Connections is here to provide the guidance and support you need. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your surrogacy journey and help you move forward with confidence toward building your family.

Cites:

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infertility/conditioninfo/common

https://www.asrm.org/practice-guidance/practice-committee-documents/the-use-of-preimplantation-genetic-testing-for-aneuploidy-a-committee-opinion-2024/

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infertility/conditioninfo/treatments/art