Surrogacy is a beautiful and life-changing journey — one that can bring deep joy, profound connection, and the fulfillment of a long-held dream of parenthood. But like any path involving medical science, human biology, and human emotions, it can also be complex.
Most surrogacy journeys do result in a healthy pregnancy and the birth of a baby. However, there are times when things don’t go as planned. This is not a reflection of anyone’s effort, love, or commitment — rather, it’s often due to factors outside of anyone’s control.
At Surrogacy by Faith, we understand how difficult it can be to face a setback. That’s why we provide unwavering support, resources, and guidance, not just during the smooth moments, but especially when the road gets bumpy. Our team walks with you through every stage — and if things don’t go as expected, we remain by your side with compassion, hope, and a plan for what comes next.
Common Reasons Why Surrogacy May Not Succeed
Every surrogacy journey is unique, but some common factors can affect whether a pregnancy progresses successfully. Below, we’ll explore these in a compassionate and straightforward way.
IVF-Related Challenges
In gestational surrogacy, pregnancy begins with in vitro fertilization (IVF). Eggs from the intended mother or an egg donor are fertilized with sperm from the intended father or a donor, and the resulting embryos are transferred into the surrogate’s uterus.
While IVF is a remarkable medical achievement, it is not infallible. Several factors can influence the outcome:
- Embryo quality: Not every embryo develops in a way that leads to a viable pregnancy. Genetics, egg quality, sperm quality, and developmental factors all play a role.
- Implantation failure: Sometimes, even when a healthy embryo is transferred, it doesn’t implant in the uterine lining. This can happen for reasons doctors may not always be able to identify.
- Thaw survival: In many cases, embryos are frozen before transfer. Most survive the thawing process, but occasionally, an embryo may not.
If you’d like to learn more about how often IVF works when using a surrogate, visit our guide: What is the IVF Success Rate with a Surrogate?
Pregnancy Complications
Even after a successful embryo transfer, a pregnancy can encounter medical challenges — just like in any natural pregnancy. Some potential complications include:
- Miscarriage: According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), miscarriage is the most common type of pregnancy loss. It can occur for many reasons, often linked to chromosomal abnormalities.
- Gestational complications: Conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or placenta previa can affect pregnancy health and outcomes.
- Preterm labor: Sometimes, pre-term labor, or labor that begins earlier than expected, can present risks for both the surrogate and the baby.
Surrogates in our program receive careful monitoring from medical professionals to detect and address issues early. While these steps can greatly reduce risks, they can’t eliminate them entirely.
You can learn more about health-related risks here: What Are the Risks of Surrogacy?
Psychological and Emotional Factors
Surrogacy is not just a medical journey — it’s also an emotional one. Intended parents often arrive at surrogacy after experiencing infertility, loss, or years of trying to grow their family. Surrogates, too, carry a deep emotional investment in the process.
When unexpected setbacks occur, they can bring feelings of grief, frustration, or even guilt — even when no one is at fault. High stress levels may affect decision-making, timelines, and communication. That’s why emotional support is as important as medical care in every surrogacy journey.
At Surrogacy by Faith, we prioritize compassionate connection between surrogates, intended parents, and our team. We encourage open communication and access to counseling resources to help everyone navigate the emotional side of surrogacy.
Ethical and Legal Considerations
Although rare, ethical or legal issues can sometimes pause or halt a surrogacy arrangement. This might happen if:
- There is a disagreement between the surrogate and intended parents about medical decisions.
- State laws or regulations shift during the process.
- Documentation or legal contracts need to be renegotiated.
Working with a values-driven agency like Surrogacy by Faith ensures that ethical alignment is established from the very beginning. For more on this topic, see our article: Is Surrogacy Ethical?
When Surrogacy Doesn’t Go as Planned: What Happens Next?
It can be heartbreaking to learn that a transfer didn’t work, or that a pregnancy was lost. In those moments, it’s normal to feel devastated, uncertain, or even ready to give up. But a failed attempt does not mean your dream of parenthood is over.
Surrogacy by Faith walks with you through this difficult time. We believe in caring for the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — which means we don’t disappear when challenges arise. We personally call intended parents after a failed transfer or loss. And we remind future parents that Surrogacy by Faith is not just a service — it’s a family that will help them navigate their next steps.
These next steps might include:
- Reviewing medical feedback to understand what happened.
- Adjusting protocols or timelines for the next transfer.
- Considering additional embryo creation, if needed.
- Taking time for emotional and spiritual healing before trying again.
The most important thing to remember? Many families do go on to have a successful surrogacy journey after an initial setback.
Create Your Family With Surrogacy by Faith
Setbacks can feel overwhelming in the moment — but they do not define your story. At Surrogacy by Faith, we believe in hope, perseverance, and the unshakable truth that the right path will lead you to your child.
Our team is here to provide medical guidance, emotional support, and spiritual encouragement through every high and low. Whether you’re just beginning to explore surrogacy or have faced disappointment and are ready to try again, we are here for you.If you’ve experienced a setback, we want you to know: your dream is still possible. With compassion, expertise, and faith, we can help you move forward toward the family you’ve been longing for.
Contact Surrogacy by Faith today to talk through your concerns, ask questions, and begin planning your next steps. If you’re interested in becoming a surrogate or pursuing parenthood through surrogacy, fill out our surrogate form or intended parent form today. You are not alone in this — we will walk this road together.