Traditional vs. Gestational Surrogacy: What Is the Difference?

Surrogacy has become an increasingly common path to parenthood, offering hope to individuals and couples facing fertility challenges. 

You may have heard about celebrities growing their families through surrogacy, or maybe you're just beginning to explore your own journey.

But here’s something you might not know: there are two very different types of surrogacy. Understanding the difference between traditional vs. gestational surrogacy is a crucial first step in deciding what’s right for you.

While both options involve the help of a surrogate to carry a baby, they differ in how the child is conceived and whether the surrogate has a genetic link to the baby.

Key Differences Between Traditional vs Gestational Surrogacy

What Is Traditional Surrogacy?

In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate uses her own eggs to conceive, which means she is the biological mother of the baby she carries.

This process typically involves artificial insemination, where the surrogate is inseminated with sperm from the intended father (or a donor). Once pregnant, she carries the baby to term and then relinquishes parental rights to the intended parents after birth.

Key Characteristics of Traditional Surrogacy

• The surrogate is genetically related to the child.
  
  
• Conception happens through intrauterine insemination (IUI) or intracervical insemination (ICI).
  
  
• Often chosen when intended mothers cannot provide viable eggs.
  
  
• May be done independently or with minimal medical intervention.

Legal and Emotional Considerations

Because of the biological connection between the surrogate and the baby, traditional surrogacy can raise significant legal and emotional challenges. Courts may require additional steps to terminate the surrogate’s parental rights, and some surrogates may find it emotionally difficult to part with the child.

That’s why traditional surrogacy is much less common today—and even illegal in many U.S. states. 

Most surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics now focus exclusively on gestational surrogacy due to its greater legal clarity and emotional simplicity.

What Is Gestational Surrogacy?

Gestational surrogacy is the most widely used and legally supported form of surrogacy today. In this arrangement, the surrogate carries a baby that is not genetically related to her. 

Instead, the embryo is created using an egg from the intended mother or an egg donor, and sperm from the intended father or a donor. This embryo is then implanted in the surrogate’s uterus through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Because the surrogate has no biological link to the child, gestational surrogacy typically involves fewer legal complications and is often more emotionally straightforward for everyone involved.

Key Characteristics of Gestational Surrogacy:

• The surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby.
  
  
• An embryo is created via IVF using the intended parents' or donors’ genetic material.
  
  
• Requires more medical steps than traditional surrogacy.
  
  
• Legally safer and more widely accepted in most regions.

Gestational surrogacy requires 3 main steps:

Egg Donation or Egg Retrieval

The intended couple choose an egg donor or the intended mom may choose to use her own eggs. To prepare for the egg retrieval, the egg donor or individual can take a series of fertility medications to stimulate her ovaries. The eggs are later retrieved during a short 30-minute procedure.

Fertilization of the Embryo

After the eggs are retrieved, they are fertilized with the intended father’s sperm to create embryos. The embryos can either be frozen or immediately transferred to the surrogate, depending on the intended parents desired timeline.

Embryo Transfer

The embryo transfer is a small procedure in which the embryo(s) are placed into the surrogate's uterus through a very fine transfer catheter. This is a low-risk procedure and does not require pain medication or sedation. Because an egg donor was used, the surrogate has no genetic relation to the child. 

Agency vs. Independent Surrogacy

Another key decision you’ll face is whether to work with a surrogacy agency or pursue the journey independently.

In an independent surrogacy (also called private surrogacy), the intended parents and surrogate manage the process without the help of a surrogacy agency. This is more common when the surrogate is a friend or family member, and everyone already has an established relationship.

While this path may seem simpler or more affordable, it often comes with greater risks. 

Without expert guidance, intended parents may face legal blind spots, emotional misunderstandings, or logistical challenges they weren’t prepared for.

Surrogacy agencies such as Hatch offer a full support system for the intended parents and the surrogate. Here’s what a reputable agency typically provides:

• Matching services to connect you with a qualified, prescreened surrogate
  
  
• Legal coordination to ensure contracts and parentage orders are in place
  
  
• Medical support through partner fertility clinics
  
  
• Emotional counseling for both parties
  
  
• Conflict resolution if unexpected issues arise

While independent surrogacy may work for some families, partnering with a professional agency typically results in a more structured, secure, and supportive journey.

The Right Type of Surrogacy for You

If you’re looking into using a surrogate or gestational carrier, don’t get overwhelmed by the different kinds of surrogacy. We’re here to help you every step of the way.

We can guide you through all your options until you find the perfect arrangement that meets all your needs.

So, don’t wait any longer; let’s get your surrogacy journey started today.