Surrogacy is a method of assisted reproduction where a woman carries and delivers a baby for another person or couple, often referred to as the intended parents (IPs). This arrangement is invaluable for couples unable to carry a pregnancy themselves, providing a pathway to biological parenthood. 

Surrogacy involves a legal and emotional commitment between the surrogate and the IPs, supported by medical professionals to ensure a successful and positive experience. At Care Fertility, we guide you through the complexities of surrogacy with compassion and expertise, ensuring you feel supported at every step. 

Types of surrogacy

Care Fertility offers both straight (traditional) and host (gestational) surrogacy options to accommodate the diverse needs of our same-sex male couples and AMAB individuals: 

Straight Surrogacy 
Also known as genetic or traditional surrogacy, this method involves the surrogate using her own eggs and being artificially inseminated with the sperm of one of the intended parents (IPs). As a result, the surrogate has a genetic connection to the baby.

Host Surrogacy

Also known as gestational surrogacy, this method involves the creation of embryos using either the eggs of a donor or one of the intended parents, combined with sperm from a donor or another intended parent. The embryo is then transferred to the surrogate's uterus for gestation. In host surrogacy, the surrogate has no genetic relationship to the baby. 

Understanding these options allows you to choose the surrogacy path that aligns best with your family-building goals and preferences. 

Choosing an egg donor

Selecting an egg donor is a big decision for same-sex male couples and AMAB individuals thinking of using surrogacy. Care Fertility offers a curated selection process to help you find an egg donor who meets your preferences and genetic criteria: 

Personalised matching: Our fertility specialists assist you in finding an egg donor whose physical attributes, medical history, and personal characteristics align with your family's needs. 

Genetic screening: All egg donors undergo rigorous screening for genetic diseases and overall health to ensure the highest quality of donor eggs. 

Choosing an egg donor is a collaborative process, and our team provides guidance and support to help you confidently navigate this important step. 

Choosing a sperm donor

When selecting a sperm donor, Care Fertility offers a comprehensive selection process designed to meet your specific preferences and requirements: 

Genetic compatibility: Our database includes sperm donors who undergo thorough genetic screening to ensure they meet high medical standards. 

Personal characteristics: You can choose a sperm donor based on physical attributes, educational background, interests, and other personal traits important to you. 

Our fertility specialists are available to discuss your options and provide support throughout the selection process, ensuring you feel confident in your choice of sperm donor. 

How to find a surrogate

Finding the right surrogate is another important step in the surrogacy journey. Care Fertility provides dedicated surrogacy coordinators who offer guidance and support throughout this process: 

• If you have already identified a surrogate, contact us to initiate the necessary medical and legal assessments. 

• For those still searching, we collaborate with reputable surrogacy agencies in the UK, known for their expertise in matching IPs with suitable surrogates. These agencies have a proven track record of helping same-sex male couples and AMAB individuals navigate the complexities of surrogacy. 

Additionally, if you are using donor eggs, we facilitate the creation of embryos while you search for your surrogate, ensuring readiness for the next steps in your fertility treatment. 

IVF Treatment for surrogacy

Once embryos are created using donor eggs and sperm from one of the IPs, or both, the next step is IVF treatment. Our experienced clinical team oversees the embryo transfer process, providing detailed information and support to ensure optimal conditions for pregnancy: 

Embryo Creation: Our fertility specialists manage the process of fertilising eggs with sperm to create viable embryos. 

Embryo Preservation: For IPs still in search of a surrogate, embryos can be cryopreserved (frozen) until the ideal time for transfer. 

This approach allows flexibility in planning and pacing your journey to parenthood, supported by our commitment to your emotional and medical well-being. 

It is important for LGBTQ+ couples and individuals understand the legal aspects of their treatment. In particular, surrogacy agreements are not enforceable in law and the surrogate and spouse or civil partner (if there is one) will be the legal parent of a child until a parental order is granted. At Care Fertility we will only provide treatment where we are assured that the intended parents will – subject to the surrogate’s consent – be able to get a parental order.  

For same-sex couples who are considering shared motherhood, there may be questions around adoption, to ensure that both parents are legally acknowledged. 

Surrogacy and adoption are particularly complex areas of family law and while we cannot recommend legal advisers, we have listed below a number of advisers who we believe have the relevant experience. There is no obligation for you to seek advice from any of these firms of course. 
Livingstons  
Laytons LLP  
NGA Law  
Makin Dixon  
JMW Solicitors 
Family Law Group  

Take the first step on the path to parenthood by booking a consultation with one of our fertility experts. 

"In our content, we use terms like 'same-sex male couples,' 'AMAB individuals,' 'sperm donor', and ‘egg donor’ to be inclusive of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. We are committed to respecting and acknowledging the diversity within our community. If there are alternative terms you prefer or feel more comfortable with, please let us know."