Whose Egg Is Used in Surrogacy?

One of the most common questions intended parents ask early in the surrogacy process is: Whose egg is used?

The answer depends on the type of surrogacy being used — but in modern surrogacy, and in every Hatch journey, the egg comes from either the intended mother or an egg donor, never from the surrogate herself.

In this article, we’ll explain how eggs are selected, the difference between gestational and traditional surrogacy, and what this means for genetics, legal parentage, and your surrogacy journey.

Understanding Egg Source in Surrogacy

The source of the egg determines whether the surrogate is genetically related to the baby.

• In gestational surrogacy, the egg comes from the intended mother or an egg donor. The surrogate carries the pregnancy but has no genetic link to the child.
  
  
• In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate uses her own egg, making her the baby’s biological mother. This method is rare today and is not offered by Hatch.
  
  

Because gestational surrogacy offers clearer legal protections and emotional boundaries, it’s now the standard in most professional surrogacy programs, including Hatch.

Egg Source in Gestational Surrogacy

In gestational surrogacy, eggs are retrieved from the intended mother or an egg donor through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The egg is fertilized with sperm from the intended father or a donor, and the resulting embryo is transferred to the surrogate’s uterus.

This process ensures the surrogate’s role is purely to carry the pregnancy, not to contribute genetic material. This is why, in gestational surrogacy, surrogates do not share DNA with the baby.

Many intended parents use an egg donor if:

• They do not have viable eggs due to age or medical reasons
• They have a genetic condition they wish to avoid passing on
• They are a same-sex male couple building their family through surrogacy

Egg Source in Traditional Surrogacy

Traditional surrogacy involves the surrogate being artificially inseminated with sperm from the intended father or a donor, using her own egg to conceive. This makes her both the biological and birth mother of the child.

While traditional surrogacy played an important role in the history of reproductive medicine, it is rarely used today due to:

• Complex legal parentage issues
• Greater emotional challenges for all parties
• Limited availability through reputable agencies
  
  

At Hatch, we work exclusively with gestational surrogacy because it provides the clearest, safest path for everyone involved.

How Egg Source Impacts Legal Parentage

In gestational surrogacy, the intended parents are established as the legal parents from the outset in the surrogacy agreement. This clear legal framework is one reason why intended parents choose to work with a trusted agency.

In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s genetic connection can create legal complexities that often require additional court proceedings to establish parentage — another reason this approach has become uncommon.

Why Work with an Experienced Agency

Choosing the right egg source is just one part of a safe and ethical surrogacy journey. At Hatch, we guide intended parents through every step — from selecting an egg donor to finding the right match through our surrogate matching process.

If you’re still exploring your options, you might also find it helpful to review our guide to the 5 best surrogacy agencies for a comparison of different approaches.

Final Thoughts

In all Hatch surrogacy journeys, the egg comes from the intended mother or a donor — never from the surrogate. This ensures there is no genetic connection between the surrogate and the baby, creating a clearer and more secure path to parenthood.

Whether you’re just beginning to learn about surrogacy or ready to take the first step, our team is here to provide guidance, support, and expertise from start to finish.