Can I Use Both Egg Donor and Sperm Donor for My Surrogacy Journey?
Yes, you can use both an egg donor and a sperm donor for your surrogacy journey. This option is available for individuals or couples who cannot use their own genetic material but still want to build a family through surrogacy. While the process may seem complex, it is a viable and increasingly common solution for many intended parents.
This blog will guide you through the ins and outs of using both an egg donor and sperm donor in your surrogacy journey, including the process, benefits, challenges, and legal considerations.
Technically, yes, it is possible to use both an egg donor and a sperm donor for surrogacy, however, it is not recommended in the case of international surrogacy. Matter of fact, most surrogacy programs are carried out with at least one genetic link with the baby.
Gestational surrogacy is a long and complex procedure in which a lady carries (known as the carrier or surrogate mother) and gives birth to a baby for another single person or couple (can be a hetero couple or same-sex couple).
Using both an egg donor and sperm donor is possible for those intended parents, who do not have healthy eggs/sperm due to age or medical reasons. In this article, we will discuss whether you can use both an Egg Donor and a Sperm Donor for your Surrogacy Journey.
There are a few different ways that egg and sperm donation can be used in a surrogacy arrangement. One option is for the intended parents to use donated eggs and their own sperm, or donated sperm and their own eggs.
Another option is for the intended parents to use both donated eggs and donated sperm, in which case the resulting child would not be biologically related to either intended parent.
Before opting for the surrogacy process with or without genetic connection, it is important to carefully consider all of the legal, emotional, and financial implications of using egg and sperm donation in a surrogacy arrangement.
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What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is a third-party reproductive process, in which a young and healthy woman carries and gives birth to a child for another person or couple. Mainly, there are 2 types of surrogacy journeys: gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy.
In the case of gestational surrogacy, embryos are created using in vitro fertilization (IVF). For this, the female partner’s eggs ( or sometimes donor eggs) and the intended father’s sperms (sometimes donated sperms) are used to create embryos.
These embryos are then transferred to the surrogate mother in the hope of implantation. So, in gestational surrogacy, the child is genetically related to the intended parents ( both of them or at least one parent), but not to the surrogate mother.
On the other hand, in traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is artificially inseminated with the intended father’s sperm, and the resulting child is genetically related to the surrogate and the intended father.
Traditional surrogacy is emotionally challenging for surrogate mothers and having adequate legal protection is a must to avoid any change of mind in surrogate mothers. This form of surrogacy is not common and is not even allowed in many countries.
Surrogacy can be a complex and emotional process, and it is important for all parties involved to be fully informed and prepared for the potential risks and challenges.
Why Would You Need Both an Egg Donor and a Sperm Donor?
There are several scenarios where using both an egg donor and a sperm donor may be necessary, including:
- Medical Reasons: Some intended parents may have fertility issues, genetic disorders, or health conditions that prevent them from using their own eggs or sperm.
- Same-Sex Male Couples: Male couples opting for surrogacy will need both an egg donor and a surrogate to carry the pregnancy.
- Single Parents: A single parent, either male or female, who cannot provide both the egg and sperm may choose to use donors for both.
- Advanced Age: For older couples where the eggs or sperm quality has diminished, using donors may improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.
The Surrogacy Process with Both Egg and Sperm Donors
The process of using both an egg donor and a sperm donor in surrogacy involves several key steps:
Step 1: Selecting Donors
- Egg Donor: Egg donors can be selected through fertility clinics or donor agencies. You will choose a donor based on criteria like health history, physical characteristics, education, and genetic screening.
- Sperm Donor: Similar to egg donors, sperm donors can be selected from a sperm bank. Donors are thoroughly screened for genetic, medical, and psychological health.
Step 2: Legal Contracts
Before moving forward with any medical procedures, legal contracts are drawn up between the intended parents, the egg donor, sperm donor (if needed), and the surrogate. These contracts outline:
- Rights of the donors (typically waiving parental rights).
- Compensation (if applicable).
- Intended parents’ rights over the embryos created.
Step 3: Fertilization via IVF
Once the egg and sperm donors are selected, the next step is in vitro fertilization (IVF):
- Egg Retrieval: The egg donor undergoes hormone treatment to stimulate egg production. Eggs are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure.
- Sperm Collection: Sperm from the chosen donor is used to fertilize the retrieved eggs in a laboratory.
- Embryo Creation: The fertilized eggs develop into embryos over the course of a few days. The highest quality embryos are selected for transfer.
Step 4: Embryo Transfer to the Surrogate
The resulting embryo(s) are transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. If implantation is successful, the surrogate carries the pregnancy to term, and the baby is born.
Benefits of Using Both Egg and Sperm Donors
Using both an egg donor and a sperm donor for your surrogacy journey can offer several advantages:
1. High Success Rates
Donor eggs and sperm generally come from healthy, screened individuals, leading to higher IVF success rates. Clinics often prioritize donors with excellent fertility profiles, improving the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
2. Genetic Screening
Both egg and sperm donors undergo comprehensive genetic testing to ensure they do not carry heritable genetic conditions. This reduces the risk of passing on genetic disorders to the child.
3. Control Over Donor Selection
Intended parents can select donors based on specific characteristics like physical appearance, ethnicity, education, and health. This allows a level of personalization in creating a biological connection to the child, even if not genetically related.
4. LGBTQ+ and Single Parent Accessibility
For same-sex male couples, single men, and even single women who need assistance with both eggs and sperm, this option opens the door to parenthood that might not otherwise be possible.
Challenges of Using Both Egg and Sperm Donors
While using both donors has its benefits, there are also challenges to be aware of:
1. Emotional Considerations
The fact that neither the intended parents nor the surrogate will have a genetic connection to the child may be emotionally difficult for some. It’s important to work through these feelings with a counselor or fertility therapist to ensure everyone is comfortable with the process.
2. Legal Complexities
While donor agreements typically waive parental rights, the legalities surrounding donor-conceived children can vary by country or state. It’s crucial to work with experienced surrogacy attorneys to ensure that the legal contracts are airtight and protect your parental rights.
3. Cost
Using both egg and sperm donors can increase the total cost of the surrogacy process. In addition to surrogate compensation and medical costs, you’ll need to account for donor selection, legal contracts, and potential compensation for the donors. The total cost can range from $100,000 to $150,000 or more, depending on the country and clinic.
4. Genetic Disconnect
Since the intended parents may not share a genetic connection with the child, some may find this emotionally challenging. However, the bond between parent and child is often built on love, care, and upbringing rather than genetics.
Cost of Using Both Egg and Sperm Donors in Surrogacy
Here is an approximate breakdown of the costs involved when using both egg and sperm donors in surrogacy:
| Cost Component | Estimated Cost (in USD) |
| Egg Donor Compensation | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Sperm Donor Compensation | $500 – $1,500 |
| IVF Procedure | $12,000 – $20,000 |
| Surrogate Compensation | $30,000 – $60,000 |
| Agency Fees | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Legal Fees | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Medical and Prenatal Care | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Total Cost | $100,000 – $150,000 |
Legal Considerations
When using both an egg and sperm donor for surrogacy, navigating legal matters is crucial. The primary legal considerations include:
- Donor Rights: Donors typically sign legal agreements that waive any parental rights, ensuring that the intended parents have full custody of the child.
- Parental Rights: Surrogacy contracts need to establish the intended parents as the legal parents immediately after birth.
- Country/State Laws: Different countries and states have varying laws regarding surrogacy, donor rights, and parental recognition. It’s essential to consult with a surrogacy attorney who specializes in donor-conceived surrogacy.
More resources:
International surrogacy countries where surrogacy is legal
Top 4 cheapest countries for surrogacy that IPs should know
All you need to know about international surrogacy
It is possible to do International surrogacy in case you are using an egg donor and a sperm donor?
The laws and regulations concerning international surrogacy vary significantly from one country to another.
In some countries, surrogacy is not allowed at all, while in others it is allowed but strictly regulated. In still other countries, only altruistic surrogacy is allowed.
In general, international surrogacy arrangements can be more complex and challenging than domestic surrogacy arrangements, due to the added legal and logistical issues that can arise when the intended parents and the surrogate are from different countries.
As for the question of whether international surrogacy can be done if there is no genetic link between the surrogate baby and the intended parents, the answer depends on the laws and regulations of the country where the surrogacy will take place. In some countries, surrogacy is only allowed if the intended parents are genetically related to the child, while in others it is allowed regardless of the genetic relationship.
Can I use both Egg Donor and Sperm Donor for my Surrogacy Journey?
To conclude, what is important to know is that some countries like the USA do ask for a DNA test of the baby to confirm the genetic link with at least one parent and then give the citizenship by descent.
So, if no genetic link it might be complex to take the baby back, or else the baby must get citizenship from the surrogate side. There are a few countries like Colombia, Argentina, and the USA, where babies can get the citizenship of the surrogate mother/birth mother.
If you’d like to learn more about IVF, Egg Donation, or surrogacy services globally, check out the rest of our website at IVF Conceptions. We offer legally secure and affordable surrogacy consulting services for FREE.
Get in touch for a Free Surrogacy Consultancy:
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FAQs: Using Egg and Sperm Donors for Surrogacy
- Can I use both an egg and sperm donor in surrogacy? Yes, many intended parents use both an egg and sperm donor to create embryos for surrogacy. This is common for same-sex male couples, single parents, and couples with fertility challenges.
- How much does it cost to use both egg and sperm donors for surrogacy? The total cost typically ranges from $100,000 to $150,000, including medical expenses, donor compensation, legal fees, and surrogate compensation.
- Is the process the same as using one donor? The process is similar but involves both egg and sperm donations, which are fertilized through IVF before being transferred to the surrogate.
- How do legal rights work when using egg and sperm donors? Donors sign legal agreements waiving any parental rights. It’s essential to work with a lawyer to ensure that the intended parents have full legal custody.
- Can the donors have a relationship with the child? Most donor agreements are anonymous, and donors typically do not have a relationship with the child. However, some agreements may allow for open or known donations if all parties agree.