One of the most common questions intended parents ask early in the surrogacy process is: Whose egg is used in surrogacy?
In most modern surrogacy arrangements, the egg does not come from the surrogate. Instead, the egg comes from either the intended mother or an egg donor. The embryo is created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and then transferred to a gestational surrogate, who carries the pregnancy but has no genetic connection to the baby.
Today, the vast majority of surrogacy journeys use gestational surrogacy, which separates genetics from pregnancy.
This approach offers clearer legal protections, defined roles, and more flexibility for intended parents, including individuals and couples who are unable to carry a pregnancy themselves.
Below, we’ll walk through how egg sources work in surrogacy and what your options may look like.
In surrogacy, the egg used to create an embryo can come from a few different sources. Which option is right depends on medical factors, family structure, and personal preferences.
Importantly, the surrogate is not the genetic parent in most modern surrogacy arrangements.
If an intended mother has healthy, viable eggs, she may choose to use her own.
In this case, eggs are retrieved through IVF and fertilized with sperm from the intended father or a sperm donor. The resulting embryo is then transferred to a gestational surrogate.
Using the intended mother’s egg allows for a genetic connection to the child, while still relying on a surrogate to carry the pregnancy when carrying is not possible or advised.
When an intended mother cannot use her own eggs, due to age, medical history, or personal circumstances, an egg donor may be used instead.
Egg donors can be anonymous or known, and they are carefully screened through medical, genetic, and psychological evaluations.
This option is also common for male same-sex couples and single intended parents. While the egg donor provides the genetic material, they do not have parental rights, and the surrogate still has no genetic connection to the baby.
In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate uses her own egg and is therefore genetically related to the child. This type of surrogacy is much less common today and is restricted or discouraged in many states due to increased legal and emotional complexity.
Because of these challenges, most intended parents and surrogacy agencies focus exclusively on gestational surrogacy.
In some cases, intended parents may choose to use donated embryos that were previously created through IVF.
These embryos are transferred to a surrogate, but neither intended parent is genetically related to the child.
While less common, embryo donation can be a meaningful option for some families and follows the same medical process as other gestational surrogacy arrangements.
Choosing where the egg comes from isn’t just a medical decision. It also shapes the legal, emotional, and practical aspects of a surrogacy journey.
In gestational surrogacy, genetics and pregnancy are separate.
The person who provides the egg determines the child’s genetic makeup, while the surrogate provides the environment for the pregnancy. This distinction is often reassuring for intended parents who want a clear understanding of their genetic connection to their child.
For some families, a genetic link is a priority.
For others, the focus is on building a family, regardless of genetics.
Both paths are valid, and surrogacy allows flexibility depending on what matters most to you.
Egg source plays a key role in how parental rights are established.
Gestational surrogacy (where the surrogate does not use her own egg) generally offers clearer legal protections for intended parents. Because the surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby, establishing legal parentage is typically more straightforward.
Medical considerations also influence egg source decisions. Age, fertility history, genetic conditions, and overall reproductive health can affect whether an intended mother is able to use her own eggs.
In these cases, working with an egg donor may improve success rates and simplify treatment planning.
Your fertility clinic plays a central role here, helping determine which option offers the best chance for a healthy pregnancy.
Finally, understanding the egg source can help set realistic emotional expectations.
Questions about resemblance, family narratives, and how you’ll talk about your child’s story in the future often come up early and they’re worth addressing thoughtfully.
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.
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.
In most modern surrogacy arrangements, no. Gestational surrogacy (where the surrogate does not use her own egg) is the standard approach today. Traditional surrogacy, in which the surrogate uses her own egg, is far less common and may be legally restricted depending on the state.
Traditional surrogacy is still possible in some cases, but it is uncommon. Because the surrogate is genetically related to the child, this approach can involve more complex legal and emotional considerations. As a result, most intended parents and agencies focus on gestational surrogacy.
Yes. Same-sex male couples typically use an egg donor and a gestational surrogate. One partner’s sperm (or donor sperm) fertilizes the egg through IVF, and the resulting embryo is transferred to the surrogate, who carries the pregnancy.
If an intended mother is unable to use her own eggs due to age, medical reasons, or fertility history, an egg donor can be used instead. Egg donors are thoroughly screened, and legal agreements ensure that they do not have parental rights.
No. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby. Physical traits are determined by the egg and sperm providers, not by the person who carries the pregnancy.
Yes. Donated embryos can be transferred to a gestational surrogate, even though the intended parents are not genetically related to the child. While less common, this option may be right for some families and follows the same medical process as other gestational surrogacy arrangements.