Surrogacy is one of the most beautiful and selfless ways to help families grow. It brings together science, compassion, and faith — allowing hopeful parents to experience the joy of raising a child, even when carrying a pregnancy on their own isn’t possible.
At the heart of surrogacy is the embryo transfer — the process that makes pregnancy possible for a surrogate. But before that step happens, intended parents must decide how the embryo will be created. In most cases, there are two main options: traditional in vitro fertilization (IVF), where embryos are made using the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm, or embryo adoption, where already-created embryos from another family are adopted and transferred to the surrogate.
Choosing between these two paths can feel overwhelming, especially when factors like cost, success rates, ethics, and emotional connection come into play. This guide will help you understand the differences between IVF and embryo adoption, their pros and cons, and which option might best align with your family’s goals and values.
Understanding the Basics
Here’s a breakdown in what these two options offer:
What Is IVF in Surrogacy?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common method used in gestational surrogacy. In IVF, eggs are retrieved from the intended mother or an egg donor and fertilized in a lab with sperm from the intended father or a donor. The resulting embryos are cultured for several days, and one (sometimes more) is transferred into the surrogate’s uterus.
In this process, the surrogate has no genetic link to the baby. She simply carries the pregnancy on behalf of the intended parents, giving them the precious gift of life.
IVF gives families control over the embryo creation process. They can choose to use their own genetic material or select donors who meet specific medical, physical, or genetic criteria. However, IVF can be complex and expensive, often requiring multiple rounds to achieve a viable embryo.
What Is Embryo Adoption?
Embryo adoption, also called embryo donation, is when a family adopts embryos that were previously created by another couple through IVF. These embryos may have been stored after the original couple completed their family and decided to donate them to others who are struggling with infertility.
For many intended parents, embryo adoption is a meaningful choice for both financial and ethical reasons. It can be significantly less expensive than creating new embryos through IVF, and it also aligns with the values of many families who believe in giving existing embryos — and therefore potential lives — a chance to grow and thrive.
Embryo adoption can also be appealing to those who want to avoid the physical and financial demands of new IVF cycles, while still experiencing the joy of pregnancy through their surrogate and childbirth.
Embryo Adoption vs. IVF: The Key Differences
While both processes can lead to a successful surrogacy journey, they differ in key ways — from costs and success rates to emotional and ethical considerations.
1. Cost and Accessibility
Embryo adoption is generally more affordable than creating new embryos through IVF. On average:
- Embryo adoption: $10,000–$20,000
- IVF with own eggs/sperm: $25,000–$40,000+
- IVF with egg and sperm donors: $40,000–$60,000+
Because the embryos have already been created, families save on the costs of egg retrieval, lab fertilization, and multiple IVF cycles. However, it’s important to note that surrogacy costs — such as surrogate compensation, legal fees, and agency support — remain the same regardless of how the embryo was obtained.
So while embryo adoption can make surrogacy more financially accessible, it’s not a “low-cost” alternative, but rather a cost-saving variation within the surrogacy process.
2. Success Rates and Medical Considerations
Success rates in both paths depend largely on embryo quality, age at creation, and clinic expertise. Freshly created embryos from IVF tend to have slightly higher success rates than frozen embryo transfers, but the gap is closing thanks to advances in fertility technology.
- Fresh IVF embryos: roughly 50–60% success rate per transfer
- Frozen embryos (including adopted ones): 40–50% success rate per transfer
When adopting embryos, intended parents and surrogates may not have full insight into the embryos’ medical background or genetic history. Still, many families have experienced healthy, successful pregnancies through embryo adoption — proof that life can thrive in many forms when given the chance.
Read here to learn more.
3. Genetic Connection
One of the most significant distinctions between IVF and embryo adoption is genetic connection.
In embryo adoption, neither the intended parents nor the surrogate share genetic ties to the baby. The embryo comes entirely from another couple’s egg and sperm. For some, this doesn’t change the love or bond they’ll feel with their child. For others, it can be an emotional factor to consider.
By contrast, IVF allows at least one intended parent — or sometimes both — to be genetically related to the baby. This can be especially meaningful for families who hope to maintain a biological link while still relying on a surrogate’s help to carry the pregnancy.
Each path is valid and beautiful. The right choice depends on what feels right for your heart and your family’s values.
4. Ethical and Emotional Factors
Surrogacy is always a deeply emotional journey, and the decision between IVF and embryo adoption often ties into faith, ethics, and personal beliefs.
Many families who choose embryo adoption do so because they value giving existing embryos — and potential lives — a chance to grow. They may see it as an act of compassion and stewardship. For others, IVF represents hope and healing — a way to create new life using their own genetics, supported by medical science.
From the surrogate’s perspective, both options look very similar in practice. The medical procedures, hormone treatments, and pregnancy experience are virtually the same. But some surrogates may feel a deeper connection to the purpose of embryo adoption, viewing it as part of a larger mission to help give every embryo a home.
Potential Drawbacks and Legal Considerations
While embryo adoption is a beautiful choice for many, it’s not right for everyone. Some potential drawbacks include:
- Limited selection: Intended parents may have fewer choices about donor characteristics or medical history.
- Variable embryo quality: The embryos’ age and original creation conditions can affect success rates.
- Emotional complexity: Families must decide whether to pursue an open or closed embryo adoption, which can affect future communication.
- Legal differences: In most states, embryo adoption isn’t legally classified as “adoption.” Instead, it’s treated as a donation or property transfer, which can make contracts and parental rights more nuanced.
Because of these factors, working with an experienced surrogacy agency and legal team is essential to ensure that all agreements are ethically and legally sound.
Is Embryo Adoption Considered IVF?
From a medical standpoint, yes — embryo adoption uses IVF technology. The embryos were originally created through IVF, then frozen and stored for later use. The transfer process for the surrogate is identical to a standard IVF cycle: hormone preparation, embryo thawing, and embryo transfer into the uterus.
The main distinction lies in how the embryos are sourced. IVF involves creating embryos for a specific family, while embryo adoption involves receiving embryos already created by another family.
In both cases, the surrogate’s medical journey — and her remarkable gift — remain the same.
How to Decide If Embryo Adoption Or IVF Is Right for You
There’s no universal right answer — only the one that feels most aligned with your family’s hopes, budget, and beliefs.
Here are a few general guidelines:
- If maintaining a genetic connection is important, IVF may be the better path.
- If you’re drawn to affordability or the idea of giving existing embryos a chance at life, embryo adoption might be the right fit.
Before making a decision, families should consult with:
- A fertility specialist, to review medical factors and success rates.
- A surrogacy agency, for guidance on logistics and matching with the right surrogate.
- Legal and emotional counselors, to understand rights, responsibilities, and long-term considerations.
Whichever route you choose, remember that both options can lead to a healthy pregnancy and a thriving family — the outcome that matters most.
Why Choose Surrogacy By Faith to Guide Your Journey
Choosing between embryo adoption and IVF can be both exciting and overwhelming — but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Surrogacy By Faith, we combine expert knowledge with compassionate care to guide you through every decision with confidence and peace.
Our team understands that your surrogacy journey is not just medical — it’s emotional, spiritual, and deeply personal. Whether you’re drawn to embryo adoption for its ethical meaning or pursuing IVF to build a genetic connection, we’ll walk beside you with transparency, education, and heartfelt support.
We partner with trusted fertility clinics, attorneys, and surrogates who share your values. From your first consultation to the day you welcome your baby home, we’ll ensure that your experience is grounded in empathy and integrity. If you’re ready to explore your surrogacy options and discover the path that feels right for your family, fill out a surrogate form or an intended parent form today!