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Building a family through assisted reproductive technology (“ART”) with methods such as in-vitro fertilization (“IVF”) gestational surrogacy and potentially egg donation comes with its own unique set of protocols - especially for international intended parents (“IPs”), who often have to consider additional aspects of this very special journey.
Whether navigating embryo creation, parental establishment, or local laws and regulations, there are several steps along this journey that need to be addressed. With a list full of to-do’s, many intended parents can easily become overwhelmed, though we are here to assure intended parents that growing a family of their own is possible (even internationally). We are equipped with one of the most experienced teams to help. With our own in-house IVF clinic, Pacific Fertility Center LA (“PFCLA”), we are innovators and front-runners in egg donation and surrogacy for international IPs.
In this article, we lay out the step by step process for international IPs, from initial consultation to returning back home, as well as what to expect and how we at Hatch and PFCLA safely guide international IPs through the journey to parenthood – agency and clinic.
At Hatch, we believe intended parents should feel confident in their chosen agency. We are the longest established agency of its kind (est.1991), responsible for over 3,300 happy healthy births, across 52+ countries. Our processes have been refined over 30 years to best inclusively make families possible, for people of all walks of life.
Don’t let distance stop you from realizing your dream of growing your family. Feel confident pursuing established, international egg donation and surrogacy services with an agency that has worked with international IPs from over 50 countries worldwide.
First things first, we invite intended parents to book an initial consultation, which is cost-free and facilitated online. Upon initial consultation, our specialists (all experienced intended parents via egg donation and/or surrogacy) will work with the IPs to uncover their needs – and explain how the family building journey can be facilitated from that location, as well as if there are any particular considerations for the IPs based on their location (logistical, legal etc). After determining the family-building needs, the specialist will explain the options available based on the IPs situation.
IPs that are planning to use their own oocytes (“eggs”) will also have to consult an IVF Physician, before moving forward with a treatment plan. PFCLA boasts no less than six double-board certified IVF Physicians, ready to dive deeper into the IPs fertility history and uncovered the best possible treatment plan, tailored to the IPs unique needs. Learning more about the physicians’ background is a good way to make a decision of who you want to partner with moving forward. The consultation is carried out digitally, making it easy for anyone around the world to speak to PFCLA physicians.
Once the initial consultation is complete and IPs have decided to move ahead, they are introduced to a care team. IPs will meet their care team virtually, which takes the stress of traveling to the US off of international IPs. This team is responsible for following the entire journey while providing guidance and support every step of the way.
If using IPs eggs, the intended mother will need to visit the US for an egg retrieval procedure. PFCLA have worked with international patients from over 75 countries and a personal IVF coordinator will be there to guide patients every step of the way. For international IPs most pre-cycle tests can be done locally. Sometimes medications can also be initiated locally, under local monitoring. Other times, the intended mother will need to start medications in the US.
If using donor eggs, IPs will need to match with the desired egg donor. The donor selection as well as matching procedure can be done remotely, by reviewing and choosing a donor listed in a donor database.
Hatch is proud to facilitate access to the largest fresh egg donor database in the nation and the top 5% of egg donors. Hatch also medically tests the fertility of most of their egg donors before they are added to the database, giving intended parents peace of mind. IPs in need of an egg donor will be assigned an egg donor coordinator as part of their care team, ensuring that they have the support they need for a smooth process.
Whether the sperm is of a donor or intended parent, in most cases, sperm can be shipped internationally.
Once the required specimens are collected, embryos can be created. The embryo creation process contains more or fewer steps depending on the IPs desires. Our team can help facilitate guidance as these elements develop.
Eggs and embryos created internationally with the intention of using a surrogate cannot enter the United States without the proper medical testing and screening having been completed. Such requirements are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (“the FDA”) and are summarized in this article. There might be exemptions to the FDA regulations, which can be discussed with an IVF physician. It is generally advisable to travel to the US for the medical treatment to retrieve eggs and create embryos.
If seeking a surrogate, IPs will work closely with their care team to match with the best surrogate based on their preferences. We value our rigorous surrogate screening process for the safety and well-being of all parties involved.
Our matching process is based on the following criteria:
On average, our intended parents wait 10 months to be matched vs. 13-18 months with other comparable agencies. Get started with an application to find a surrogate.
For intended parents, it is crucial to ensure that the process of drafting agreements and establishing parental rights is handled correctly and efficiently. After matching with a surrogate, and when the surrogate is medically cleared, the intended parents will receive legal counsel to draft necessary agreements.
At Hatch, we work with the best reproductive and family law attorneys to ensure that each journey runs smoothly. We also have an extensive network of local, “home country” attorneys, which we can refer to our international IPs. Local attorneys can assist with reviewing the surrogacy agreement for specific language, representation during the citizenship process, local passport applications etc, as well as working with Hatch when necessary to ensure a legally sound process. Hatch covers some of these fees.
Now is the time for embryo transfer! Although international IPs are not expected to be present during the embryo transfer, those who are willing can! It is a great opportunity to meet your surrogate in person. Participating via an online call is a great alternative method of being present and involved.
Embryo transfers are the final stage of an IVF cycle. The transfer is simply the process of transferring an embryo created into the uterus of the surrogate. The surrogate will remain in the care of your chosen clinic during the first trimester, after which she is released to her local OBGYN.
After the embryo transfer, pregnancy is confirmed via a blood test at a recommended time advised by the intended parent’s reproductive endocrinologist. The pregnancy test is not conducted immediately after transfer to give the intended mother or gestational carrier ample time to produce detectable pregnancy hormones in the body. Congratulations to having made this milestone on your journey!
At this stage, intended parents are preparing for the final and most exciting phase of their third-party reproductive journey: delivering a happy, healthy baby. IPs are expected to be in the surrogate’s state 2-4 weeks before the birth of their child, depending on if they are domestic IPs or international IPs.
While nearing the end of the journey, the IPs lawyer and supporting agency must establish legal parental rights. After the birth, IPs will work with legal representation to establish parentage in the county where the child was born (surrogates typically give birth near where they live). After this has been established, parents can apply for a U.S. birth certificate for the child, as well as a U.S passport if they wish. Hatch will ensure that international IPs that need a U.S passport to travel home receive the support and guidance they need.
Every child born in the United States becomes a U.S. citizen by birth. An IPs child might or might not become a citizen of their home country through parentage; it varies from country to country. Citizenship should be discussed further with legal counsel. Hatch can refer highly experienced legal professionals to international IPs.
Finally, the time has come to bask in the joys of having a newborn and travel home. Some IPs choose to apply for a U.S. passport and return via this method (Hatch will guide and support international IPs through this process with an experienced agent). In contrast, others apply for a visa/temporary travel document at their home country's local consulate/embassy.
If you are looking to pursue international family-building, we invite international IPs to book an initial consultation with Edvin. Edvin is the International Manager at Hatch Egg Donation & Surrogacy and the in-house IVF clinic at Pacific Fertility Center Los Angeles. He is also a father through surrogacy, egg donation, and IVF and is passionate about sharing his experiences with others pursuing the same path to parenthood. Having personal experience utilizing Hatch and PFCLA to build his dream family, Edvin joined the team in 2021 and now shares his knowledge and international perspective with other international IPs.
“As my 3-year-old daughter and newborn son was born through surrogacy and IVF in the US while I was residing abroad in Europe and China, I experienced all aspects of being an international intended parent—both positive and challenging. I’ve been in your shoes and understand how daunting—but also rewarding—it can be to initiate a surrogacy journey in the United States when living outside the country. That’s why I’m available to share my insights and experiences. Don’t hesitate to contact me with questions about being an international intended parent or book a consultation to learn how Hatch and PFCLA can provide the expertise you need to build your family. I can’t wait to hear from you.”
For over 30 years, international intended parents have been coming to Hatch when needing assistance to build their dream family. We are the most established egg donor and surrogacy agency in the country, and the families we work with receive complete guidance through their journeys, every step of the way. Most of our team members are former surrogates, egg donors, or intended parents, so they understand this journey better than most. Our unique Peace of Mind Program covers everything intended parents need, with no surprises, for medical and non-medical expenses.
We believe that having a family is a human right and will serve people regardless of their walk of life. Our egg donation and surrogacy services are available to people of every orientation—heterosexual couples, gay partners, single men and women, married or not. We’ve helped make dreams come true for intended parents from every continent (except Antarctica).
Our goal is to make families possible inclusively. Here are some of our highlights:
If you’d like to get to know us more, we offer in-person and virtual events throughout the year to provide resources and education about third-party reproduction. Get a chance to ask questions and learn from experienced parents, egg donors, and surrogates.
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