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Behind every surrogacy story is a family waiting for a miracle. But one of the first questions people often ask is whose egg is used in surrogacy — the surrogate’s, the intended mother’s, or a donor’s? The answer shapes everything that follows, from genetics to emotional connection. In today’s world, most surrogacies use the intended mother’s or a donor’s egg, while the surrogate simply carries the baby with no genetic link. It’s a process where science meets love — turning hope into life, and biology into belonging.
Surrogacy is a reproductive process in which another woman carries and delivers a baby for someone else — often referred to as the intended parents. In most modern cases, this is known as gestational surrogacy, where the pregnancy is created through in vitro fertilization (IVF). During IVF, an embryo is formed in a laboratory using the egg and sperm from the intended parents or from donors. The embryo is then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. Because the surrogate mother doesn’t provide her own egg, she has no genetic connection to the baby, which helps keep legal and emotional boundaries clear.
In traditional surrogacy, however, the surrogate’s own egg is used, meaning she is genetically related to the child. This approach is much less common today and is restricted or illegal in many countries due to complex legal and emotional implications.
Overall, surrogacy provides a pathway to parenthood for couples and individuals who cannot conceive or carry a pregnancy on their own — including those with medical conditions, previous hysterectomies, or same-sex male couples. Understanding whose egg is used in surrogacy helps clarify whether the child will share a genetic link with the intended mother or with a donor, a factor that influences both medical planning and emotional expectations.
Read More: How Does Surrogacy Work?
Surrogacy makes it possible for individuals or couples who cannot carry a pregnancy themselves to have a biological child. The question of whose egg is used in surrogacy depends on the type of arrangement — most commonly, either the intended mother’s egg or a donor egg is used. In some rare cases, the surrogate’s own egg is involved, which creates a traditional surrogacy. Below, we explain each option and its implications.
When possible, using the intended mother’s own eggs is the preferred approach. Through IVF, her eggs are retrieved, fertilized with her partner’s sperm (or donor sperm), and the resulting embryo is transferred to the gestational carrier’s uterus. This allows the child to share a genetic connection with the intended mother, even though she does not carry the pregnancy herself.
This option is ideal for women who produce healthy eggs but are unable to carry a pregnancy due to uterine issues, health risks, or past pregnancy complications. It offers the opportunity to maintain a biological link while ensuring a safe pregnancy through a surrogate.
In cases where the intended mother’s eggs are not viable — due to age, fertility problems, or genetic concerns — an egg donor is used. Donor eggs are typically provided by young, healthy women who undergo medical and genetic screening before donation. The eggs are fertilized through IVF using the intended father’s sperm (or a sperm donor’s), and the embryo is transferred to the gestational surrogate.
When a donor egg is used, the child will be genetically related to the egg donor and the intended father (if his sperm is used). This option is also commonly chosen by same-sex male couples or single men who wish to become parents through surrogacy.
In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate uses her own egg, making her the biological mother of the child. The pregnancy is achieved through artificial insemination using the intended father’s sperm or donor sperm, without the use of IVF. Because the surrogate is genetically related to the baby, this method involves greater emotional and legal complexity.
Traditional surrogacy is far less common today and is even prohibited in many regions due to the potential for parental rights disputes. Most modern surrogacy arrangements use the gestational method instead, which ensures that the surrogate has no genetic link to the child.
In most surrogacy arrangements, the sperm comes from one of the intended parents — usually the intended father or, in same-sex male couples, one of the partners. The chosen sperm is combined with the intended mother’s or donor’s egg to create an embryo that’s transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. This ensures a genetic connection between at least one parent and the child.
If the intended father has fertility issues or a genetic condition, donor sperm may be used instead. For same-sex male couples, both partners can participate through split insemination, where eggs are divided and fertilized with each partner’s sperm separately. This allows both to have a biological link to their children.
No matter whose sperm is used, surrogacy offers a pathway to parenthood that preserves a genetic bond and fulfills the shared dream of building a family.
Once the intended parents or donors are chosen, the next crucial step in surrogacy is the egg retrieval and fertilization process. Before retrieval, the egg provider — whether the intended mother or an egg donor — takes prescribed hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries and produce multiple mature eggs. These eggs are then carefully monitored through ultrasound and hormone testing to determine the ideal time for collection. When the follicles reach optimal size, a minor outpatient procedure is performed under light anesthesia to gently retrieve the eggs from the ovaries using a fine needle guided by ultrasound.
After collection, the eggs are immediately transferred to the fertility laboratory, where fertilization takes place. The chosen sperm — from the intended father or a donor — is combined with the retrieved eggs in a controlled environment. In some cases, a specialized method called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is used to enhance fertilization success. The resulting embryos are then cultured for several days as specialists monitor their development and select the healthiest one for transfer to the surrogate’s uterus.
Each stage of this process is closely supervised by fertility experts to ensure the highest chance of a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby, marking one of the most delicate yet hopeful moments in every surrogacy journey.
The quality of eggs is one of the most decisive factors influencing the success rate of IVF and, consequently, surrogacy. High-quality eggs are more likely to mature properly, fertilize successfully, and develop into healthy embryos with normal chromosomes. In contrast, poor-quality eggs may lead to failed fertilization or embryos that cannot implant or grow normally, which lowers overall success rates.
Egg quality naturally declines with age, especially after 35, as the number of genetically healthy eggs decreases. However, lifestyle and health factors also play a major role. Balanced nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking or alcohol, and managing stress all contribute to better ovarian function. Fertility specialists often assess ovarian reserve and egg health using blood tests such as AMH levels and ultrasound follicle counts before starting treatment.
Ultimately, the stronger the egg, the greater the chance of forming a viable embryo and achieving a healthy pregnancy through surrogacy. While advanced lab techniques and sperm quality matter, the egg provides the essential foundation for life. Focusing on improving or selecting eggs of the highest quality remains one of the most effective ways to enhance IVF success.
At its heart, surrogacy is a story about hope, love, and the desire to become a parent. Understanding whose egg is used in surrogacy isn’t just a medical question — it’s about the connection families dream of creating. Whether the journey begins with an intended mother’s egg or the help of a donor, each step brings intended parents closer to holding their baby for the first time. With the right care, trust, and guidance, surrogacy turns a deeply personal dream into a living, breathing miracle.
