Many people think of surrogacy as a single process that begins with a surrogate mother and ends with childbirth. In reality, surrogacy starts the same way as any other IVF treatment, by creating embryos from the intended parents’ or donors’ genetic material. The first step in the surrogacy process is the creation of embryos through in vitro fertilization (IVF). At SILK Medical in Tbilisi, this first stage is completed in our IVF laboratory before a surrogate’s treatment even begins.
Understanding how IVF is performed for surrogacy helps intended parents see the bigger picture and why embryo creation is planned as its own phase before transfer.
Why IVF Comes First in Surrogacy
Before any transfer takes place, embryos must be created in a controlled laboratory setting. This is done using eggs and sperm from the intended parents or from chosen donors. Once healthy embryos are available, they can be transferred to the surrogate at the right time.
Separating the IVF stage from the pregnancy stage helps ensure the best possible conditions for both the embryos and the surrogate, while also allowing time for legal and logistical steps to be completed. This approach is standard in surrogacy programs run by SILK Medical.
Step-by-Step: IVF for Surrogacy
Medical preparation starts with health checks for the intended parents or donors, including infectious disease screening, hormone tests, and ultrasounds.
Ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval follow, using injectable medication to encourage multiple eggs to mature. The eggs are then collected in a short procedure. This may be done with the intended mother or an egg donor.
Sperm collection can be from the intended father or a sperm donor. Several samples are often frozen in advance for flexibility in scheduling.
Fertilization and cultivation take place in the embryology lab at SILK Medical. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is often used, placing a single sperm directly into each mature egg. The embryos develop over five to six days into blastocysts, ready for freezing or testing.
PGT-A testing can be performed at this stage. For surrogacy, screening embryos for chromosomal abnormalities is often recommended, as it helps reduce the chances of failed transfers and avoids putting the surrogate through unnecessary procedures.
Using Your Own Eggs vs. Donor Eggs
If ovarian reserve is low, or if medical history suggests better results with donor eggs, an egg donor may be recommended. Donor selection at SILK Medical includes reviewing medically screened profiles from our own database or trusted partner agencies.
Freezing and Storing Embryos
Embryos are almost always frozen before transfer. This allows time for genetic test results, synchronizing with the surrogate’s cycle, and completing legal paperwork. SILK Medical uses vitrification (an ultra-rapid freezing method) to protect embryos until they are ready to be used.
Why Embryo Creation and Transfer Are Separate Phases
The surrogate’s preparation requires its own timeline. Her uterus must be primed with hormonal medication, and she must pass final medical checks before transfer. Legal contracts also need to be signed before any embryo is placed.
If the IVF cycle is done in one country and the surrogacy in another, embryos may need to be shipped. In such cases, matching the creation and freezing dates with the official documentation is important for customs and legal clearance.
Timeline and Costs at SILK Medical
When done in Tbilisi, the IVF stage for surrogacy usually requires around two weeks for egg retrieval. If PGT-A testing is included, results are available after about three weeks. The transfer date then depends on the surrogate’s readiness and the completion of all legal steps.
IVF can be included directly in a surrogacy package or arranged as a separate cycle beforehand. Costs vary depending on whether the eggs are from the intended mother or a donor, and whether genetic testing is included.
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