Surrogacy Success Rate

The success rate of surrogacy depends on the qualifications of doctors, the choice of a clinic and the state of a surrogate mother. In addition, many other factors influence the indicators of success.

Thanks to reproductive technologies, millions of childless couples around the world have become parents. The stats of success depends on the chosen IVF method:

• Natural Cycle – 8-11 (probability of germ cell fusion is low due to 1-2 mature eggs)
• Cryo Cycle (embryos cryopreserved for delayed transfer) – 23–25%
• Using donor germ cells – 46–47%
• Combined method (IVF with ICSI) – 23-32% (the rate increases with each next attempt)

Surrogacy success rates depend on age. Women 35 years old can become pregnant in 38% of cases, and after 40 years – only 15-17%

How are surrogacy success rates collected?

Each clinic in the country where surrogacy is officially allowed provides data about their activity and maintains its own stats on the success of the procedure. This includes the number of requests from childless couples, the percentage of IVFs that ended in pregnancy and childbirth. For example, in the USA it is 72-75%, in Ukraine - 73%, and in Israel - up to 50%.

What Determines Surrogacy Success Rate?

The success rates of surrogacy are influenced by the following factors:

Age of parents-to-be

The optimal age for providing biomaterial embryo creation is up to 35 years. After this age, ovarian insufficiency is developed, the reproductive function of the body and uterus to retain implanted fertilized eggs are reduced. Moreover, there is a risk of developing endometriosis. In men, the quality of sperm deteriorates, and diseases of the genitourinary system can develop that affect reproductive function.

Causes of infertility and its duration

These can be disorders of the endocrine system, ovarian dysfunction and scarring on them, cervical erosion, damage to the fallopian tubes. In men, reproductive function is affected by varicocele, congenital or acquired anomalies of the genital organs, endocrine or genetic disorders, and inflammation of the genitourinary system.

Number of embryos obtained for transfer

A large number of embryos is a good indicator of the success of the surrogacy program because then the reproductive specialist will be able to choose the highest quality ones, especially if parents-to-be are at risk of transmitting genetic diseases. In general, 2 embryos are transferred, with previous unsuccessful IVF attempts, their number increases to three.

IVF protocol

These are specially developed recommendations that apply to the artificial insemination procedure. This is a table that lists the names of prescribed drugs, dates of visits to the doctor, medications, injections, ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries, oocyte punctures, and embryo transfer. The contact details of the attending physician are also included. Additionally, the days of taking tests, the results of blood tests, hormones are included.

Surrogate mother preparation

A surrogate mother must have at least one healthy child of her own and undergo a series of medical procedures. These include examinations for bacterial and viral infections, genetic, chronic diseases. With the help of special tests, the psychological and mental state of a woman is assessed, her lifestyle is monitored. For example, doctors find out if a candidate for a surrogate mother has a sex life, abuses alcohol, drugs, or smoking.

Correct ovulation stimulation

The number of germ cells obtained depends on a competently conducted stimulation process. Women take drugs based on gonadotropin, a hormone secreted by the cells that subsequently form the placenta. The purpose of the procedure is the maturation of several follicles in order to obtain more eggs. For stimulation, the dose of the drug is selected individually, otherwise ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome may develop, which leads to severe complications.

Embryo transfer quality

The most viable embryos are selected for transfer, and before it, the endometrium is checked to accept the embryo. In addition, the transfer efficiency is affected by the softness and elasticity of the catheters, which do not injure tissues, and the ability not to use instruments to fix the cervix.

The skill and professionalism of the doctor also affect the success of artificial insemination. It is worth paying attention to the clinic equipment. Cryobank, modern microscopes, high-tech incubators for the development of embryos (embryoscopes), high-quality instruments will help to preserve the embryos and transfer them to the uterus.

How To Increase The Chances Of Surrogacy Success?

To increase the success of surrogacy, it is important for parents-to-be to follow these recommendations:

Healthy seminal fluid

Before IVF, men need to undergo a spermogram, which shows the viability of sperm for conception, allows you to identify such urological diseases as varicocele, prostatitis, sexually transmitted diseases.

Egg donation

The success of surrogacy depends on the age of the female germ cell donor. This will increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. Egg donation is also necessary if the mother-to-be has poor egg quality or she does not produce germ cells at all.

Embryo diagnosis

Before the IVF procedure, it is better to carry out pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of the embryo, which shows the risk of developing cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and myotonic dystrophy in the unborn child.

The success rate of surrogacy also depends on the correct choice of the surrogacy clinic.