The difference between egg donation and gestational surrogacy
Many people who haven’t been involved with or work in the assisted reproductive technology field aren’t going to automatically know the difference between gestational surrogacy and egg donation. These topics aren’t usually covered in 5th grade health class. But for many, this amazing technology has allowed them to become parents or grow their families!
Egg donation and gestational surrogacy are two different, but sometimes comingled, assisted reproductive technologies, each involving different aspects of the reproductive process. Here's a brief overview of the key differences between egg donation and gestational surrogacy:
Genetic Relationship
In egg donation, the egg donor provides her eggs for fertilization. Those donated eggs are fertilized in a laboratory, producing embryos that are able to be transferred. There is a biological connection to the egg donor and the embryos that are created.
In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries and delivers a baby that is not biologically related to her. The embryo that is implanted into the gestational carrier’s uterus is created using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors and therefore is not biologically related to the gestational surrogate.
Medical Procedure
In egg donation, the egg donor undergoes ovarian stimulation using hormone injections that stimulate egg production to prepare for the egg retrieval. The egg retrieval that is done to collect the eggs is done using a transvaginal ultrasound probe to see the ovaries and the follicles within the ovaries that contain the egg. A long needle is then guided into each follicle draining the fluid and that fluid contains the eggs. This is typically performed under sedation.
In gestational surrogacy, the intended mother or egg donor undergoes ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval to create embryos, which are then transferred to the gestational surrogate's uterus. A long, thin catheter that contains the embryo, along with a small amount of fluid is passed through the cervix into the uterus where it is released. Embryo transfer is not usually performed under sedation and is relatively quick and painless.
Legal and Emotional Considerations
In egg donation, legal arrangements typically involve agreements between the egg donor and the intended parents. Emotional considerations may include the potential for the egg donor to have future contact with the child, depending on the agreement.
In gestational surrogacy, legal agreements are complex and involve the intended parents and the gestational surrogate. The surrogate has no parental rights, and the legal process varies widely depending on jurisdiction. Emotional considerations include the relationship between the intended parents and the surrogate.
Parental Rights
In egg donation, the egg donor waives all parental rights and responsibilities when they sign the egg donation contract.
In gestational surrogacy, the intended parents are considered the legal parents, even if the child is not genetically related to one or both of them.
Both egg donation and gestational surrogacy are important options for individuals and couples who are facing fertility challenges. There is never a right or wrong way to create a family, and it is amazing there is this technology available to those who need it. Interested in learning more? Schedule a free consultation today!