Why Surrogacy Is Part of the Infertility Conversation
An infertility diagnosis can be emotionally and physically challenging, often bringing uncertainty, grief, and difficult decisions about what comes next. For many individuals and couples, the journey includes numerous medical appointments, tests, and treatments — sometimes without the outcome they had hoped for.
During National Infertility Awareness Week, these experiences often center on diagnosis and treatment. But for those who are unable to carry a pregnancy, an equally important part of the conversation is what comes after.
Surrogacy offers one of those paths forward.
Through gestational surrogacy, intended parents work with a surrogate who carries a pregnancy on their behalf. This is done using in vitro fertilization (IVF), with embryos created from the intended parents’ sperm and/or eggs, or with the help of donors when needed.
Surrogacy plays a vital role in helping people grow their families and deserves a more visible place in the broader infertility conversation.
Why Do People Pursue Surrogacy?
Individuals and couples pursue surrogacy for many reasons, including:
Medical conditions that make pregnancy impossible or unsafe, such as uterine-factor infertility or severe cardiovascular conditions
Previous treatments or surgeries, such as hysterectomy, fallopian tube removal, or certain cancer therapies, that make pregnancy impossible or unsafe
Recurrent pregnancy loss
Being a same-sex male couple
Being a single intended parent
Each of these paths is unique, but they all point to the same goal: finding a way to build a family when carrying a pregnancy isn’t possible.
It Takes a Village: Who’s Involved in the Surrogacy Journey?
Surrogacy is a uniquely complex and collaborative journey. Gestational surrogacy candidates undergo a rigorous application and medical prescreening process to ensure their readiness for the demanding journey. Once approved, they’ll enter a pool of candidates that intended parents can review to find their ideal match.
Intended parents will work with their surrogacy agency to find a gestational surrogate who aligns with their expectations. They may take into consideration temperament and personality, willingness to follow lifestyle or dietary restrictions, geographic proximity, and overall compatibility. Once a match is made, the surrogate will see fertility specialists to ensure she can safely carry a pregnancy. This includes infectious disease screenings and ultrasounds of the uterus and ovaries.
From there, the legal process can begin. Intended parents will work with an attorney specializing in surrogacy law to draft a legally binding contract, which the surrogate will review with her own attorney. This contract outlines everything from financial compensation to frequency of communication, helping to eliminate any surprises along the way.
Once the legal contract is finalized, the surrogate will prepare for embryo transfer, requiring multiple injections, blood tests, and ultrasounds. Her fertility clinic will make sure she has everything she needs for a happy, healthy experience. Once pregnant, she’ll continue seeing her fertility specialists until week 10, when she’ll start seeing an obstetrician of her choosing.
When the baby is born, the intended parents are usually present, following all agreed-upon, prearranged plans for postpartum care and communication. Throughout this entire process — and for up to two months postpartum — the surrogacy agency will provide support to both the intended parents and the surrogate.
Learn More About Surrogacy and Set Up a Consultation
Surrogacy is a deeply collaborative journey, bringing together intended parents, surrogates, medical professionals, legal experts, and a dedicated agency team to support every step along the way.
During National Infertility Awareness Week, it’s important to recognize that building a family doesn’t always follow a straightforward path. By bringing greater awareness to options like surrogacy, we can help more people feel informed, supported, and empowered as they explore what comes next.
At West Coast Surrogacy, we have years of experience guiding intended parents through this process with care and clarity. If you’re considering gestational surrogacy, our team is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence.
