If you’re considering surrogacy, you may have heard the terms surrogacy agency and fertility clinic used together. While both play important roles in the surrogacy process, they serve very different purposes.
Understanding the difference between surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics can help Intended Parents and prospective Surrogates know what to expect, who is responsible for each part of the journey, and where to turn when questions or challenges arise.
In simple terms, fertility clinics focus on medical care, while surrogacy agencies focus on matching, coordination, and support. The two work together throughout the journey, but their responsibilities vary.
A fertility clinic is responsible for the medical side of the surrogacy process. Its team of reproductive health professionals manages the procedures and medical care necessary to help an embryo transfer take place and, when successful, support the pregnancy from a medical perspective for about the first 10-12 weeks of pregnancy.
Depending on the circumstances, a fertility clinic may be involved with:
The clinic's role is primarily focused on reproductive medicine and the health and safety of the Surrogate and pregnancy.
That means a fertility clinic may be able to provide excellent medical care without handling every logistical, legal, financial, or emotional aspect of a surrogacy journey.
That's where a surrogacy agency comes in.
A surrogacy agency helps manage the many non-medical pieces of the journey.
For Intended Parents, the agency can help identify and match them with a prospective Surrogate. For prospective Surrogates, the agency can help guide them through the process and coordinate all of the steps involved in becoming a gestational carrier and completing their journey.
Agency responsibilities may include:
The goal is not simply to make sure that Surrogates and Intended Parents meet the basic eligibility requirements; a successful match also depends on whether the Surrogate and Intended Parents have aligned expectations of the process, are a good social match on a personality level, and feel comfortable moving forward together.
If you're considering becoming a Surrogate, learning more about Hatch's Surrogate GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS— can help you understand what the process involves.
To summarize, the simplest way to understand the difference is to think of the journey as having two major areas: medical care and journey coordination.
| Fertility Clinic | Surrogacy Agency |
|---|---|
| Provides reproductive medical care | Coordinates the overall journey |
| Performs medical evaluations and procedures | Screens and vets prospective Surrogates and Intended Parents |
| Prepares for and performs embryo transfer | Helps facilitate the matching process |
| Manages medical protocols | Coordinates communication and logistics |
| Addresses medical concerns | Helps coordinate legal and financial matters |
| Provides medical monitoring | Provides ongoing support and guidance |
Neither organization necessarily replaces the other. Instead, fertility clinics and surrogacy agencies often work together so that the medical and non-medical pieces of the journey remain coordinated.
A surrogacy journey involves many moving parts, so communication between the agency and fertility clinic is important.
For example, a prospective Surrogate may complete the agency's screening and matching process and then undergo medical screening through a fertility clinic. Once the Surrogate receives medical clearance, the agency and clinic can coordinate the next steps.
Throughout the journey, teams may need to communicate about medical clearance, legal clearance, the medication delivery and instructions, transfer dates, and other important milestones.
This collaborative approach can help prevent Intended Parents and Surrogates from feeling like they have to coordinate everything on their own.
For Intended Parents, understanding the full process can make the journey feel much more manageable. Hatch's Intended Parent journey— provides an overview of the steps involved throughout the surrogacy process.
One of the biggest differences between surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics is the role each plays in determining whether a Surrogate is a good match for Intended Parents.
A fertility clinic's screening is primarily focused on medical considerations. A surrogacy agency may take a broader approach by coordinating additional screening and helping determine whether a Surrogate and Intended Parents are also a good social match.
Matching can involve considerations such as:
A match isn't simply about checking boxes. Surrogacy is a deeply personal experience, and clear communication about expectations before moving forward can help both parties understand what the journey may look like and start to build that trust!
For a closer look at how this works, you can read about Hatch's Matching process for Surrogates.
Medical care is only one part of a surrogacy journey. Legal and financial planning are also important.
Surrogacy agencies can help coordinate the legal and financial components of the process, including working with the appropriate professionals to establish gestational carrier agreements and escrow arrangements.
A gestational carrier agreement establishes the legal expectations and responsibilities of the parties involved. Escrow arrangements can help manage funds associated with the journey. Having escrow held in a licensed, bonded 3rd party reputable company is always best and will ensure payments are made on time and according to the gestational carrier agreement.
Because laws and requirements can vary, Intended Parents and Surrogates should work with qualified professionals regarding their individual legal circumstances. Hatch can help point you in the right direction for this as well!
One of the biggest concerns people have when considering surrogacy is what happens when the journey doesn't go exactly as planned.
Medical complications require medical professionals. A fertility clinic is responsible for addressing medical concerns and providing appropriate medical care.
But not every challenge is medical.
A Surrogate may have questions about scheduling, insurance, communication, expenses, or other aspects of the journey. Intended Parents may have questions about what happens next or need help coordinating with multiple professionals.
This is one reason ongoing agency support can be valuable. Rather than leaving Intended Parents or Surrogates to coordinate every non-medical detail themselves, an agency can help guide the process and connect the right people when questions arise.
Your Case Manager is a dedicated person on your side for your entire journey! No matter what happens, at what time of day, they are reachable and able to help for emergencies. Should they need anything to further support you, they have a whole team behind them to assist as well.
Surrogacy is more than a series of medical appointments and legal documents. It can also be an emotional experience for both Surrogates and Intended Parents.
A good matching process considers more than medical eligibility. Surrogates and Intended Parents may need to discuss their expectations, communication styles, motivations, and plans for different situations that could arise during pregnancy.
Having a dedicated coordinator and access to ongoing support can also provide an additional resource when the journey becomes complicated or emotionally challenging. Hatch also offers sessions with a Licensed Mental Health Provider throughout your pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
If you're comparing surrogacy agencies, consider asking questions about the full scope of support they provide.
For example:
It's also important to understand exactly what is included in the financial structure. When medical care, agency services, insurance, legal services, and other expenses are handled by separate providers, families may need to understand each component individually.
Understanding the difference between surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics doesn't mean you have to navigate the two worlds separately.
Hatch's model brings together surrogacy support and reproductive medicine, pairing reproductive doctors with an established surrogacy agency with over 35 years of experience!
Hatch also offers a Peace of Mind Program designed to cover medical and non-medical expenses associated with the journey.
For Intended Parents and Surrogates, the goal is to provide a more coordinated experience from matching through the rest of the surrogacy journey. Whether you're an aspiring Intended Parent or a Surrogate- we look forward to getting to know you.