When it comes to creating a modern day family, these days we are lucky to have more options at our disposal. Adoption is no longer the only answer for a family struggling with infertility with a desire to have a child of their own. The rising popularity of assisted reproductive procedures have come a long way, leaving us with just one decision to make.

However, making that decision can be difficult without knowing the pros and cons of each option. For example, knowing the difference between surrogacy and IVF vs adoption will help you understand which path is right for you as Intended Parents.

Keep reading to learn more about the key differences between each process, and to gain some clarity on which one is the best fit for you.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy can be simply defined as a process in which a woman carries and delivers a child for a couple or an individual. Of course there is a lot more to it than that, but we’ll talk more about the details of surrogacy shortly.

There are a variety of reasons that Intended Parents might want to pursue surrogacy. For example, there may be fertility or mental health issues. It’s also possible that the couple is a same sex couple or a single parent. In these cases, surrogacy is a wonderful opportunity for these hopeful parents-to-be to grow their family while also having a biological connection to them.

There are a few types of surrogacy, one involving IVF, which may be why some people get a little confused on the differences. So it’s important to note that in many cases of surrogacy, IVF is part of the surrogacy process.

Traditional surrogacy occurs when the surrogate becomes artificially inseminated with sperm from either a donor, or the Intended Father. Her biological egg is used, and fertilization takes place inside of the surrogate’s uterus. In this case, no IVF is used and the surrogate is biologically connected to the child. Traditional surrogacy occurs much less often than gestational surrogacy.

Gestational surrogacy occurs when the surrogate (also known as the gestational carrier) is not biologically linked to the child. In this case, IVF is used. The embryo is created in a lab using the Intended Mother’s egg (or donor egg) along with the Intended Father’s sperm (or donor sperm). Once the embryo is created, it is transferred to the uterus of the surrogate, who will carry the baby to term.

What is In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?

Now that you understand the main types of surrogacy, let’s get a more detailed understanding about what IVF actually is.

With In-Vitro Fertilization, eggs from either the Intended Mother or donor eggs are retrieved and then fertilized in a lab with the Intended Father’s sperm, or donor sperm. Typically, one embryo is transferred to the surrogate. Occasionally, if the embryo quality is not optimal, the Reproductive Endocrinologist may decide to transfer two embryos. There is also a (small) chance that embryos could split, which in that case means you could be having twins, or even triplets!

A single round or cycle of IVF generally takes between 2-3 weeks, sometimes even longer, and it is never guaranteed that the embryos will develop. This can make the process of IVF very stressful.

Key Differences Between Surrogacy and IVF

While there can be some overlap, surrogacy and IVF are two very different processes. Let’s talk about some of the pros and cons of each option, and other factors to consider.

Pros of Surrogacy

Surrogacy is a great option for Intended Parents that are struggling with infertility or other health complications who still want the opportunity to have a biological connection with the child (from either one or both of the Intended Parents). Being able to have that genetic connection is often the reason that people choose surrogacy over the alternative of adoption.

With surrogacy, the Intended Mother is not actually carrying the baby. Since there is likely a medical need to warrant surrogacy, she can continue with her normal routine and her risk of physical complications is not an issue (unless also going through IVF).

Cons of Surrogacy

The most obvious downfall here is that the cost of surrogacy can be expensive. However, it can be manageable depending on whether you decide to pursue an independent journey, or work with an agency. 

The process of surrogacy can also be complicated, with a lot of people and paperwork to handle. This becomes especially difficult when you’re managing everything yourself.

Intended Parents will also not have as much control in the surrogacy process since their surrogate is carrying the baby. However, all important details can be written out and agreed upon beforehand with the help of lawyers to help to reduce any anxiety in this case.

Pros of IVF

One benefit of IVF is that in general, it’s a more affordable option when compared to surrogacy. It’s an excellent alternative for those Intended Mothers who want to carry their baby themselves, but may have health or other issues stopping them from conceiving naturally.

Another difference between surrogacy and IVF, is that with IVF you can control the timing of the pregnancy since the embryos can be cryopreserved and transferred into the uterus at any time in the future. This allows the couple a great amount of flexibility so they can be as prepared as possible for the pregnancy and birth.

Your chances of birthing a healthy baby will also increase using IVF, thanks to advanced genetic testing that takes place during the process. Screening can identify and filter out conditions including cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, sickle cell anemia, and more.

Cons of IVF

There are some negative aspects to IVF as well. The process can be draining and stressful. If the Intended Mother is using her eggs, she will have to go through a process which involves receiving fertility shots that may create uncomfortable side effects. 

Once the eggs are ready to harvest, she will go through an invasive retrieval process.

In-Vitro Fertilization, while generally less expensive than surrogacy, is also expensive, and can get more expensive quickly if the Intended Parents need to go through multiple rounds of IVF to get the outcome they want. However, there are ways to prepare for IVF, and every case is unique.

Choosing Between Surrogacy and IVF

Now that you have more clarity on the differences between surrogacy and IVF, whatever choice you decide is best for you, we are here to support you every step of the way. To learn more about your surrogacy options, schedule your free initial consultation with us today. We can’t wait to help support you on your journey to parenthood.