Surrogacy gives the opportunity of having children to those who are unable to on their own. This could be single people, heterosexual couples or LGBTQ+ couples wanting to start a family. Figures show that in the previous decade, the number of parents using surrogates in England and Wales quadrupled.
At the Assisted Conception Unit we provide fertility treatments for patients using a surrogate. From intended parent and surrogate workups and investigations to a range of treatment cycles using a surrogate. We do not match surrogates with families.
What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is when a woman carries a pregnancy and gives birth to a baby for a couple or an individual who is unable to get pregnant.
It can be an option for women with medical conditions that prevent them from getting pregnant or giving birth. These conditions can include:
- recurrent miscarriages
- absence of the uterus (womb)
- uterine malformation
- repeated implantation failures with IVF treatment
Types of surrogacy
There are two types of surrogacy: gestational and partial.
Gestational surrogacy
In gestational surrogacy – also known as full surrogacy or host surrogacy – there is no genetic link between the surrogate and the baby.
This type of surrogacy uses the eggs of the intended mother or from a donor. The eggs are fertilised using the IVF technique, following a period of ovarian stimulation, during which the intended mother or donor takes medication to stimulate her ovaries to produce eggs.
After the eggs are retrieved and fertilised with sperm from the intended father, or a donor, they are placed into the uterus of the gestational surrogate. The surrogate then carries the pregnancy and gives birth to the baby.
Many people opt for gestational surrogacy because it maintains a genetic link between the intended mother, father and their child.
Partial surrogacy
Partial surrogacy – also known as traditional surrogacy or straight surrogacy – involves the fertilisation of the surrogate’s egg with the intended father’s sperm or sperm from a donor.
Done using intrauterine insemination (IUI) where your consultant will place the sperm in the uterus. IUI uses sperm that has been processed and concentrated. It is timed to when the surrogate’s ovary releases eggs increasing the chances of pregnancy. In partial surrogacy, the surrogate is the biological mother of the baby.
Success rates
Gestational surrogacy using IVF has a success rate of around 75%. Once the surrogate is pregnant that rate increases up to 95%. When IVF is done using a donor egg there is a 52% success rate.
However, the surrogacy success rate can be affected by:
- the age and general health of the surrogate
- the surrogate’s nutrition intake
- the health of the egg, sperm and embryo
- environmental factors such as exposure to pollution or tobacco smoke
How to start the surrogacy process
Although we do not match surrogates with families, we understand the important considerations demanded by surrogacy. If you’re looking for a surrogate, thinking of becoming a surrogate or wondering how to start the surrogacy process there are a number of surrogacy organisations who are able to help.
These organisations will be able to help you decide your preferences with regards to a surrogate arrangement. The four main surrogate organisations in the UK are:
Benefits of surrogacy
Benefits of gestational surrogacy
- allows intended parents to have their own children
- maintains a genetic link between parents and child
- intended parents and gestational carriers can keep in contact and form relationships easily
Benefits of partial surrogacy
- allows intended parents to have their own children
- the surrogate doesn’t need to go through a complex medical procedure, compared with IVF used in gestational surrogacy
- typically costs less than gestational surrogacy
Risks of surrogacy
Surrogacy carries the risk of common and more serious side effects associated with any pregnancy.
Common side effects can include morning sickness, soreness and discomfort. Rarer more serious side effects can include organ damage, hypertension and gestational diabetes.
Risks of gestational surrogacy
- lack of full control over the pregnancy, such as self-care
- the IVF process is complex for the surrogate
Risks of partial surrogacy
- potentially more emotionally complex compared to gestational surrogacy, as the surrogate is the biological mother of the baby
- surrogacy agreements can’t be enforced by the law in the UK meaning if there is a dispute about who the child’s legal parents are it could be decided in the courts
Fertility packages and add ons
At the Assisted Conception Unit we offer comprehensive fertility consultation, investigation and treatment packages to suit your needs.
From IVF using donor eggs, sperm or embryos to female, male, heterosexual and same sex couple fertility tests.
Discover our range of fertility procedures, such as ovulation induction, blood tests and genetics that can be purchased separately from treatment packages if required.
Fertility packages
For patients that meet our eligibility criteria, we offer two different fertility treatment packages to choose from.
Medications, cryopreservation of surplus eggs, embryos or sperm, genetics and administration charges are not included in our treatment packages.
Your tailored, costed treatment plan will be created with our specialist consultants and our teams will be able to answer any questions you might have in relation to payment or price.
Personalised care package
With our personalised care option, you get to choose from our four world-renowned specialists.
Consultant-led throughout, you will benefit from continuity of care, direct access to your chosen consultant and complete flexibility to plan appointments to suit your schedule.
Self-funded care package
With our self-funded care option, your journey will be led by our team of experienced nurses supported by consultants or senior doctors.
This option may be more affordable but still delivers excellent levels of care. We intend that all self-funded patients are seen within four to six weeks.
Fertility pricing update
Our price lists will be updated from June 2024. Existing signed treatment cards issued by the clinical team will be honoured for 90 days from issue date.
Consultation fees using a surrogate
All new patients will require an initial consultation before starting fertility treatment. Treatment plans and subsequent costs are tailored to each individual, and will be discussed with your specialist at initial consultation.
A follow-up appointment is required to initiate further investigations and treatment. Full payment is required before treatment commences.
How to pay for your consultation
Our prices are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.
If you choose the self-funded care package your consultation booking is not confirmed until your consultation fee is paid.
For personalised care package patients your consultant will invoice you for consultation fees directly after your appointment.
If you cannot attend your consultation or scan appointment, advance notice of 24 hours is required and cancellation fess apply.
£300
What’s included:
- 60 minute consultation
- discussions of the legal implications of surrogacy treatments
- the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority (HFEA) requirements
- required additional surrogacy clinical assessments
- a referral for counselling
£650
What’s included:
- initial consultation
- discussion of the legal implications of being a surrogate
- clinical assessment
- ultrasound scan
- all necessary blood tests
- a referral for counselling
Included in treatment packages using a surrogate.
Mandatory triple appointment:
- intended parent(s) session
- surrogate (and partner) session
- session for all parties to attend
£900
What’s included:
- initial consultation to complete surrogacy consents
- all necessary blood tests
- a referral for semen analysis (if applicable)
Counselling for all parties must be completed prior to this appointment.
£300
What’s included:
- initial consultation to complete surrogacy consent forms
Counselling for all parties must be completed prior to this appointment.
£150
What’s included:
- 30 minute consultation to finalise your treatment plan
Screening results for the intended parent(s) and surrogate are required ahead of this appointment.
£300
What’s included:
- 60 minute consultation to finalise your treatment plan.
Screening results for the intended parent(s) and surrogate are required ahead of this appointment.
Treatment cycles using a surrogate
All prices are reviewed regularly. Quotes are valid for a period of 90 days post offer – treatment must be paid in full and commenced in this timeframe.
In the event that your treatment plan needs to be amended, your quoted price may change and additional fees may be charged. All changes will be discussed with you.
IVF may be changed to ICSI as late as the day of egg collection, if clinically indicated. The difference in cost will be charged accordingly.
Using donor eggs, sperm or embryos
Treatment packages do not include purchase or transport of donor gametes. These charges are paid directly to your chosen cryobank and courier, in addition to our import administration fee.
Treatment will only commence when the purchased donor’s gametes are safely in storage at our facilities.
| Treatments | Personalised care package price | Self-funded care package price |
|---|---|---|
| IVF using intended parent or donor eggs | £4,550 | £3,500 |
| ICSI using intended parent or donor eggs | £5,500 | £4,450 |
| Intended parent freeze all cycle for surrogacy - IVF | £4,750 | £3,800 |
| Intended parent freeze all cycle for surrogacy - ICSI | £5,700 | £4,750 |
| FET for surrogate | £1,750 | £1,500 |
| Surgical sperm retrieval for intended parent | £1,900 | £1,500 |
| All treatment packages include a nursing consultation, counselling, monitoring scans and an early pregnancy scan or follow-up with the doctor within six weeks of pregnancy test result | ||
Related services
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In-vitro fertilisation (IVF)
IVF is one of several fertility treatments designed to help people with fertility issues to conceive.
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Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
ICSI is a form of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) fertility treatment.
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Sperm retrieval
Private surgical sperm retrieval treatment from fertility specialists
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Frozen embryo transfer (FET)
Embryo freezing and transfer is a method of both preserving your fertility and supporting fertility treatment.
Locations
Our fertility services are available at the following locations:
Discover our fertility experts
Meet our team of leading fertility consultants. From infertility investigations to donor treatments, our specialists are here to provide you with personalised care.