For many intended parents, the path to surrogacy is a bumpy one that includes coping with infertility. Find the resources you need to make the transition.
Honoring a partner through posthumous reproduction is a courageous path. Learn how to navigate IVF and surrogacy to protect their legacy.
Losing a partner is an unimaginable tragedy, especially when you were in the midst of planning a future together.
You can honor your partner’s legacy and fulfill your shared promise of parenthood through posthumous reproduction and surrogacy.
You might be ready to begin the matching process today, or you may need help navigating the logistics. Fill out our form to get empathetic, expert-led support from a surrogacy specialist today.
What is Posthumous Reproduction?
Posthumous reproduction is a term used by the medical and legal communities to describe the use of a deceased person’s genetic material, such as sperm, eggs, or embryos, to conceive a child.
For many, it is a way to hold onto a piece of a life cut short and to fulfill the dreams of a family that you and your partner built together.
Protecting Your Partner’s Legacy: Why a Surrogate is Vital in Posthumous Journeys
We understand that in posthumous journeys, your embryos are more than medical assets; they are irreplaceable links to your partner.
Because you may have a limited number of embryos or gametes, the margin for error in the medical process is significantly smaller.
Our screening focuses on surrogates who have successfully carried pregnancies before to maximize the potential of every single transfer.
By choosing a surrogate who has passed a rigorous screening process, you minimize physical variables and give your partner’s genetic material the best possible chance of a successful birth.
If you are ready to move forward, the surrogacy process provides a structured medical and legal framework to bring your child into the world.
By working with an agency, you gain a dedicated specialist who coordinates between your IVF clinic, your surrogate and legal counsel to ensure state laws and clinic protocols are met.
Initial Consultation:Contact a surrogacy specialist to review your medical history, existing embryos or gametes, and the legal documentation regarding your partner’s intent.
Surrogate Matching: We connect you with pre-screened surrogates. Once you find a match, the surrogate undergoes a final in-person medical evaluation at your clinic to finalize the match.
Legal Contracts: Attorneys will draft an agreement that establishes your rights as a single parent and confirms the legal authorization to use your partner’s genetic material.
Embryo Transfer: Following legal clearance, the IVF clinic performs the transfer, and your agency specialist coordinates all communication between you, the surrogate, and the medical team.
Parentage and Birth: In many states, your attorney will file for a Pre-Birth Order (PBO) during your pregnancy to establish your rights before delivery. In other jurisdictions, a Post-Birth Order or administrative process is used shortly after the birth to achieve the same result.
Preparing for Your Surrogacy Journey
At American Surrogacy, we require intended parents to have viable embryos ready for use before the official match with a surrogate is finalized.
This is a protective measure for both parties; it ensures the surrogate is not waiting on medical procedures that may have uncertain outcomes, and it allows you to move directly into the legal and medical transfer phase once you find the right person.
If You Already Have Embryos
If you and your partner previously created and stored embryos, you are in the best position to begin the matching process immediately.
If you have your partner’s preserved gametes but have not yet created embryos, your first step is working with a clinic to create embryos.
You do not have to wait for embryos to be ready to contact an agency. While you cannot be officially “matched” or medically screened until embryos are viable, you can still complete your surrogacy planning questionnaire and intended parent profile in the meantime.
Starting these steps now ensures that as soon as your embryos are ready, your agency can immediately begin your search for a surrogate.
Navigating the Legal and Ethical Landscape
The legalities of posthumous reproduction vary significantly by state. It is critical to address these three areas immediately:
Written Consent: Most clinics and courts require clear, written intent from the deceased partner expressing their desire for their genetic material to be used posthumously.
Social Security and Inheritance: Laws regarding whether a posthumously conceived child is considered a legal heir vary. You will need a surrogacy professional to help navigate these “what ifs”.
Clinic Policies: Every IVF clinic has different protocols for the release of gametes after a death. Ensure your legal team coordinates directly with your medical providers.
We can help you find a reputable attorney to ensure your partner’s documented wishes are honored by courts and clinics alike.
Navigating Parenthood After Loss
Choosing to pursue parenthood after the loss of a partner is a courageous step that often exists in the space between mourning and hope.
You might be continuing a process you started together or starting a new chapter to honor your shared dreams. It is natural to feel a mix of profound sorrow and quiet excitement during this time.
This journey carries significant weight because of the deep emotional connection to your partner’s genetic material. We recognize that you are fulfilling a promise made to the person you loved.
Our role is to provide a stable, professional environment so you can focus on your emotional wellbeing while we manage the complexities of the surrogacy process for you.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Shared Dream
When you are ready to explore your options, we are here to help.
Would you like to speak with someone who understands the unique nuances of posthumous surrogacy? Speak with a specialist about your specific situation.
Heartbreak after multiple miscarriages with normal embryos? Understand the hidden uterine and immune factors, and find a clear path forward with surrogacy.
Miscarriage with a normal embryo is devastating, but it may
point to underlying factors IVF can’t address.
By understanding these issues, you can move away from
repeated disappointment and find success with a strategic option like
gestational surrogacy.
Are you ready to get
closer to your path to parenthood? Connect with
a specialist at American Surrogacy today to explore a proven path forward.
The Heartbreak of Hope: Experiencing Miscarriages with Genetically Tested
Embryos
The journey to parenthood after facing recurrent pregnancy
loss is profoundly difficult. After investing so much in IVF and creating an
embryo, receiving news of another miscarriage feels devastating and deeply
confusing.
This experience is not a failure on your part, but a sign
that the focus needs to shift.
You
have faced setbacks beyond your control, but by choosing surrogacy, you are
giving your embryos the best opportunity.
Normal Embryos Don’t Guarantee a Successful Pregnancy
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT-A) is an invaluable diagnostic tool in modern IVF. It allows your medical team to check an embryo’s chromosome count before transfer.
An embryo confirmed as “euploid” (or chromosomally normal) has the correct number of chromosomes and is considered the highest quality embryo available.
However, PGT-A does not guarantee pregnancy. A chromosomally
normal embryo does not override underlying systemic or uterine health issues
within the intended mother’s body.
Hidden Causes of IVF Miscarriages with Normal Embryos: Uterine, Hormonal,
and Immune Factors
Recurrent implantation failure or miscarriage with a normal embryo points toward factors that cannot be solved by simply creating another embryo.
These issues are often subtle, requiring specific diagnostic testing and sometimes a change in approach.
Uterine Environment Factors
The endometrium, the lining of the uterus, must be receptive and healthy. Issues in this area can prevent implantation or lead to early loss:
Endometrial Thickness and Structure: A lining that is too thin, uneven, or structurally abnormal may fail to properly support the embryo. Your doctor may refer to this as a lack of uterine receptivity.
Endometriosis and Adenomyosis: These common, inflammatory conditions can create a hostile environment that makes implantation and sustained pregnancy extremely difficult.
Chronic Endometritis (CE): This is a persistent, non-symptomatic inflammation of the endometrial lining, often caused by an underlying bacterial infection.
Structural Abnormalities: Unidentified polyps, fibroids, or scar tissue (Asherman’s Syndrome) can obstruct implantation or compromise the blood supply necessary for the placenta’s development.
In some cases, the body’s immune system is the barrier. The body may treat the embryo as a foreign object and reject it.
Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions that are not properly managed can create a highly inflamed environment in the body that prevents a pregnancy from starting or growing. These include:
Lupus: A chronic autoimmune disease that can increase the risk of blood clotting and inflammation, compromising the blood flow needed for the placenta.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): While generally not a direct barrier to conception, severe or active MS can indicate systemic inflammation that impacts the immune environment needed for implantation.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: An autoimmune thyroid condition often linked to recurrent miscarriage, as unmanaged thyroid hormones are essential for successful early pregnancy development.
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): While primarily hormonal, it often involves chronic, low-grade inflammation that can negatively affect uterine receptivity and embryo implantation.
Natural Killer (NK) Cells: While complex and often debated, some specialists believe an overactive presence of these immune cells in the uterus may attack the implanting embryo, treating it as a foreign object.
Issues with hormones and timing are another barrier to successful implantation.
The uterine lining has a very narrow “window of implantation”, meaning the timing of the embryo transfer must be exact, even with standard hormone medication.
Specialized tests
like the Endometrial
Receptivity Assay (ERA) help pinpoint this timing, but repeated failure
suggests the window is consistently missed or compromised.
Additionally, a lack of sufficient natural progesterone
during the early weeks, known as luteal phase support, can still compromise the
lining’s ability to sustain the pregnancy, leading to loss
When to Consider Surrogacy After Multiple Miscarriages with Test Embryos
This decision should be made in consultation with your reproductive endocrinologist.
However, clear emotional and medical triggers often indicate surrogacy is the next strategic step:
Specific medical barriers. You have received a confirmed diagnosis that your medical team identifies as the primary cause of recurrent loss.
Your mental health has taken a toll. Surrogacy offers a way to continue the family-building process without the constant physical and emotional strain of repeated failures.
The cumulative cost of repeated IVF cycles, specialized testing, and experimental treatments may become unsustainable. Surrogacy provides a more predictable investment toward achieving your family goal.
You have remaining embryos. If you have frozen PGT-tested embryos, using them with a gestational carrier gives them the highest possible chance.
Surrogacy
is not a last resort; it is a strategic, medically supported path to success
when evidence points to the uterine environment as the barrier.
How Surrogacy Bypasses Uterine Factors That IVF Can’t Solve
When you choose American Surrogacy, we build your journey on the foundation of a thoroughly vetted and medically cleared gestational carrier.
This process is designed to eliminate the gamble of an unpredictable uterine environment and maximize the possibility of a healthy pregnancy.
Our rigorous, multi-step screening ensures you start your journey with confidence:
Agency Review: We start with an in-depth review of her full medical history and social background.
Clinic Review: Your fertility clinic reviews her past medical records, focusing on previous pregnancies and deliveries, to confirm a history of successful, healthy births.
Medical Clearance and Physical Exam: She undergoes a comprehensive physical examination and medical workup at your fertility clinic to confirm her uterus is optimally receptive and structurally sound for a successful transfer and pregnancy.
Other essential clearances we ensure include:
Psychological Readiness: Confirming she is emotionally and mentally prepared for the journey and understands the unique relationship with you.
By utilizing a gestational carrier who has been carefully and successfully screened through these multiple layers of review, you replace anxiety with certainty, knowing your precious embryo is in the safest possible environment.
Emotional Healing and Moving Forward
The grief, fatigue, and profound sense of failure that accompany recurrent loss are entirely understandable. Even when you know the miscarriage was not your fault, the emotional burden is real.
Surrogacy offers a crucial opportunity for psychological recovery and consciously moving forward with your family-building journey.
Gaining Control: Making an Intentional Choice for Family
Instead of dwelling on past disappointments, surrogacy allows you to pivot your focus on creating your family.
Move from Strain to Preparation: Surrogacy allows you to move past the physical burden and psychological toll of recurrent IVF failure. You can channel the energy previously spent on treatments into preparing for the baby’s arrival.
Taking Control: Instead of passively waiting for a diagnostic test or an experimental treatment, you are actively choosing the most successful, medically supported path available to you.
A Supported Journey: At American Surrogacy, we provide comprehensive support so you can focus on your path to parenthood.
What to Expect When Exploring Surrogacy as a Next Step
The idea of starting the surrogacy process can feel
overwhelming, but our agency is here to simplify every step. We offer a clear,
efficient path designed to minimize stress and maximize success:
Step
1: Reach Out to a Specialist
Your first step is connecting with a specialist at American Surrogacy. We
listen to your unique story, understand your medical history, and help you
determine if our program is the right fit.
Step
2: Match with a Surrogate
Based on your preferences, we present you with profiles of
pre-screened, medically cleared gestational carriers. Our focused process often
leads to quick matches.
Step
3: Complete Legal Contracts
Attorneys work together to create comprehensive, protective
legal agreements that establish your parentage.
Step
4: Embryo Transfer
Your reproductive endocrinologist facilitates the transfer
of your PGT-tested embryo to the gestational carrier. We support you throughout
the entire medical process.
Ready to Take the Next Step? Explore Surrogacy with Compassion and Clarity
You have faced setbacks beyond your control, but by choosing
the strategic path of surrogacy, you are giving your embryos the best
opportunity for success.
Surrogacy is not a detour; it is a supported, deliberate
choice made by loving parents who refuse to give up on their family dream.
Even with multiple
miscarriages, you can still start or grow your family. Contact us
to learn how we can support you on your path to parenthood.
Stop losing money on failed IVF. Our surrogacy programs offer a path to success with financial protection and a potential refund if you don’t bring home a baby.
IVF is a major emotional and financial commitment. When it doesn’t work, you may feel like the future you imagined is slipping away.
You deserve clear, compassionate guidance about your options.
In this guide, you’ll learn whether you can get your money back for failed IVF, how fertility clinic refund programs work and why some families shift toward surrogacy.
You may be able to receive a partial refund. Some fertility clinics offer money-back guarantees through “shared risk” programs.
Generally, you’ll need to pay a higher upfront cost in exchange for financial protection if treatment does not result in a live birth.
For example, Shady Grove Fertility’s Shared Risk 100% Refund Program allows qualifying patients to pay one flat, refundable deposit that covers multiple IVF attempts.
You can try up to six IVF or donor-egg cycles, plus unlimited frozen embryo transfers. If you don’t take home a baby or choose to stop treatment, you get your full deposit back.
But there are important
limitations:
You must meet strict medical criteria, including
age and ovarian reserve requirements.
You’ll pay more upfront than traditional
per‑cycle fees.
You receive a refund only on the program deposit
— not medications or diagnostic testing.
Programs like this can offer a clearer path forward, but they’re not available for everyone.
Are IVF Refund
Programs Worth It?
If you qualify and want predictable costs, these programs can give you a sense of stability during an emotional process.
If you’re unlikely to qualify or prefer paying per cycle, they may not feel right for where you are. At the end of the day, this decision is about caring for your heart as much as your finances.
What Happens
Financially If IVF Fails?
A failed cycle can be emotionally and financially devastating. You’ve poured your heart, time and resources into the process while holding onto the hope of growing your family.
When the pregnancy test comes back negative, you’re not just facing a medical outcome, you’re facing the weight of everything you invested.
You may be left carrying medical bills or debt from earlier rounds, which can make the next step feel even heavier. And you typically can’t get insurance to cover IVF failures; most insurance plans don’t cover IVF at all.
Depending on your state and employer, you may have partial coverage for diagnostics or medication, but coverage for full treatment is still limited.
This is often the moment when
intended parents step back and re-evaluate whether more IVF cycles make sense.
Why Some Families Choose Surrogacy After Failed IVF
Medical Conditions That Prevent Safe Pregnancy
Some medical conditions, like severe uterine scarring, autoimmune issues or other health factors, make it very difficult to carry a pregnancy safely.
Surrogacy allows you to use your embryos while relying on a gestational surrogate who has been thoroughly screened and cleared to carry a healthy pregnancy.
Overcoming the Emotional Strain of Repeat IVF
After multiple IVF cycles, the emotional weight of hoping, waiting and grieving can become overwhelming. You may want a path with fewer unknowns, a clearer timeline and a higher chance of success.
Shifting to Surrogacy for Financial Predictability
Repeat IVF cycles can add up quickly. For some families, shifting to surrogacy feels like a more predictable and purposeful investment.
Many families go through many IVF cycles before trying something else. But choosing surrogacy isn’t “giving up.”
Rather, it’s an intentional step toward the option that gives you the best chance of becoming a parent.
Surrogacy Is More Expensive. So Why Do People Still Choose It?
Surrogacy is a significant financial investment, but some people consider surrogacy a better investment than repeated IVF.
Here are the benefits that often make surrogacy feel like the stronger path forward:
Predictable Timeline: With American Surrogacy, many intended parents are matched in 1 - 4 months, helping you move forward faster.
Higher Likelihood of Success: You work with a gestational surrogate who has been thoroughly screened and medically cleared.
Structured Process: You experience fewer unexpected hurdles compared to repeated IVF cycles.
Genetic Connection: You can use your own embryos to maintain a genetic link to your child.
For intended parents who have already been through so much, surrogacy often feels like a stable and structured step toward becoming a parent.
IVF vs. Surrogacy: Which Is More Cost-Effective in the Long Run?
IVF is unpredictable. One cycle
might succeed, or you might need several, each costing thousands of dollars.
Surrogacy costs more upfront, but success rates are significantly higher due to medically screened surrogates.
Instead of wondering whether this next cycle will be different, you’re placing your embryo into the healthiest, most stable environment possible.
When you compare the total cost of repeat IVF cycles, the medications, the procedures, the time off work, the emotional toll, many families ultimately spend less through surrogacy than they would after several more IVF attempts.
If your journey ends without a
baby and you have no embryos left, certain surrogacy programs (including some at
American Surrogacy) also offer partial refunds depending on the package you
choose. This adds another layer of financial protection and predictability.
IVF Is Already Part of the Surrogacy Process — Why Risk Paying More?
Even if you choose surrogacy,
IVF is still required to create or use existing embryos. That means:
You’re already investing in IVF.
Surrogacy ensures your embryo is placed in the healthiest possible environment.
You can use embryos created from previous IVF cycles.
Using Existing Embryos in Surrogacy: What Are Your Options?
One of the greatest fears intended parents face when transitioning from IVF is the thought of losing the embryos they worked so hard to create.
If you have frozen embryos from previous cycles, they can be used in your surrogacy journey.
The process of using your existing embryos for a gestational surrogacy journey is straightforward:
Coordinate Transfer: Our specialists work with your current fertility clinic (where the embryos are stored) to manage the transfer of the genetic material.
Medical Clearance: Once you are matched with a thoroughly screened surrogate, your embryos will be transferred into her uterus during an Embryo Transfer Procedure at a fertility clinic.
Maintain Connection: Using your existing embryos is how you maintain a genetic connection to your child while transferring the physical demands of pregnancy to your gestational surrogate.
This option protects your emotional and financial investment and allows you to give the embryos you already created the best chance at resulting in a pregnancy.
How Families Afford Surrogacy After IVF Loss
Many intended parents worry
about affording surrogacy,
especially after the cost of IVF. You have more options than you might think.
American Surrogacy partners
with Sunfish, a leading fertility
financing platform that offers flexible loans designed specifically for IVF
and surrogacy. You can also manage costs through various other methods,
including:
Personal loans
Fertility or surrogacy grants
401(k) withdrawals or loans
HSA or FSA funds
Employer benefits for family-building
Home equity loans
Crowdfunding
American Surrogacy’s Financial Protection and Refund Eligibility
You deserve a program built to protect your investment in your family-building journey. At American Surrogacy, we offer:
Transparent Costs: We break down each fee clearly upfront so you can plan confidently without surprise expenses later.
Unlimited Matching: Our Limited Risk Program offers unlimited rematch attempts at no extra cost
Possible Refunds: You may be refunded some fees if your journey ends without embryos left to transfer.
Ready to Take the Next Step After IVF?
If you’ve experienced the emotional and financial toll of failed IVF, you deserve a program built to offer financial safeguards for your path to parenthood.
Is Surrogacy an Option With Only One Euploid Embryo?
Yes, you
can do surrogacy with one embryo
at American Surrogacy. Having only one euploid embryo doesn’t disqualify you
from working with a surrogate. Many intended parents choose surrogacy
specifically because they want to give their embryo the healthiest environment
possible.
As you move forward, you’ll work closely with your fertility
clinic and surrogacy team to create a plan that gives this embryo the highest
possible chance of success.
How Surrogacy Maximizes the Chances of Successful Embryo Implantation
Are you asking yourself, “Should I transfer my embryo or use a surrogate?”
It’s normal to consider every possible path. But with only one euploid embryo, you likely want to choose a family-building option that minimizes risk and gives your embryo the strongest chance to implant.
Gestational surrogates undergo extensive screening before they are approved, including medical examinations, psychological evaluations and lifestyle reviews.
These steps help ensure that surrogates are ready to carry a pregnancy and can provide a supportive uterine environment — an advantage that can be especially important if you only have one good embryo.
Here are the requirements women must meet to become a
surrogate:
Have a proven history of healthy pregnancies
Be between the ages of 21 and 40, when
reproductive health is generally at its peak.
Meet strict medical criteria, including a full
OB-GYN review and clearance from a reproductive endocrinologist
Maintain healthy lifestyle, confirmed through a
detailed review of habits, medical history and overall wellness
Understanding these requirements can help you feel safer
using your last embryo in surrogacy.
Is It Worth Doing
Surrogacy With One Embryo?
The answer to this question is personal. When you only have one euploid embryo, you may feel like you can’t afford to take risks.
Working with a gestational surrogate helps mitigate many of the biological factors you can’t control. While no option guarantees pregnancy, surrogacy can give your embryo the best chance at implantation.
Is It Harder to Find a Surrogate With Only One Good Embryo?
Sometimes. Some surrogates want to partner with intended
parents who have multiple viable embryos in case the first transfer doesn’t
work.
But you aren’t stuck if you only have one normal embryo after preimplantation genetic screenings (PGS).
American Surrogacy works with surrogates all across the country, including many who are open to “one-embryo families.”
When you work with
us, we present your profile to surrogates who already understand your situation
and are comfortable with a single-embryo plan. You don’t have to search alone —
we’ll help you find the right surrogate.
What Happens if the
Last Embryo Doesn’t Work?
One euploid embryo can lead to pregnancy. Euploid embryos have strong potential, and many intended parents welcome their baby from a single embryo transfer.
Still, it’s important to acknowledge that a failed transfer is possible.
If the transfer doesn’t work, you won’t be left alone. You’ll have support throughout the entire process — from your clinic, your counselor and your team at American Surrogacy.
Together, you can talk through next steps and move forward with clarity.
Depending on
your program, you may also be able to get a partial refund or credit if a
transfer is unsuccessful. Your surrogacy specialist can explain what’s
available and walk you through the exact details.
What Are Your Options if You Don’t Have Additional Embryos?
If your euploid embryo does not result in pregnancy, you
still have several options. Many intended parents explore donor embryos or
donor sperm/eggs to create new embryos for surrogacy.
Donor Embryos for Surrogacy
Donor
embryos are fully formed embryos created by another individual or couple
who chooses to donate them. This can be a meaningful option for:
Couples or individuals who want to move forward
quickly
Intended parents who cannot or prefer not to
undergo additional egg retrieval cycles
Embryo donation programs typically provide detailed medical
and genetic histories of the donors, giving you helpful information as you
decide.
Donor Eggs and/or Sperm
Your clinic can use your eggs or sperm (if viable) and donor
gametes to create embryos for surrogacy. This allows you to maintain a
genetic connection to your child.
Double Donor IVF
Double donor IVF uses both donor eggs and donor sperm to
create new embryos. This path gives you the chance to select donors based on
the characteristics that matter most to you.
This approach is often chosen by:
Couples who cannot use their own genetic
material
LGBTQ+ couples building their family through
surrogacy
Your fertility clinic will support you through choosing
donors, creating embryos and preparing for transfer.
Only One Good Embryo? Let’s Make It Count
Having only one euploid embryo doesn’t mean your journey is over. You still have a powerful chance. If you’re exploring surrogacy, you deserve clear answers and compassionate support.
Take the next step by filling out our form and connecting with a surrogacy specialist.
The financial implications of multiple embryo transfer failures are severe. Convert your $75k–$150k loss into a predictable, guaranteed surrogacy journey.
You’ve been trying, and each failed embryo transfer exacts a crushing emotional and financial toll.
The accumulated costs from procedures, medication, and lost time add up much faster than anyone anticipates.
Fill out our simple form now to learn more about the costs involved in surrogacy and how they contribute to helping you become parents faster.
If you’re asking if it’s time to stop pursuing IVF for a more predictable path, you’re asking the right question. Let’s weigh the costs of continued failure against the stability of surrogacy.
The Real Financial Implications of Multiple Embryo Transfer Failures in IVF
Many Intended Parents who have endured two to three full failed IVF cycles (including retrievals) and multiple frozen transfers realize they have already spent between $75,000 and $150,000.
That is often the lower range of a full surrogacy journey, yet they remain without a baby and without a guarantee of future success.
Know the Starting Investment: The average cost of one full IVF cycle (including egg retrieval, lab work, and necessary medications) typically runs between $15,000 and $30,000. That’s just the starting point.
The core problem is the speed at which costs stack up after that initial investment:
Repeated transfer attempts: Each individual frozen embryo transfer (FET) runs $3,000 to $7,000, plus required medication protocols and monitoring appointments adding another $3,000 to $5,000 per cycle.
Multiple egg retrievals: If you need further egg retrievals, add $12,000 to $15,000 for each one, pushing the total past $100,000 much faster than you ever thought possible.
The Financial Trap: Paying for Uncertainty
The most devastating financial implication is this: you are paying enormous sums for a process with decreasing odds of success, and without an ultimate guaranteed outcome.
At this crossroads, the unpredictable and potentially endless cost of continued IVF must be contrasted directly with the predictable, structured investment of surrogacy.
Why IVF May Not Be Working—Even If You Have Healthy Embryos
If your fertility specialist keeps telling you the embryos look perfect after yet another failed transfer, the sense of hopelessness is understandable.
The urge to scream, to understand why something that looks perfect on paper keeps failing—it’s overwhelming.
Embryo quality matters, but it’s not the whole story. Even genetically normal embryos with beautiful development patterns can fail to implant or result in early pregnancy loss for reasons that doctors still can’t always predict or fix.
Why Your Healthy Embryos Keep Failing
Severe Uterine Issues:Uterine conditions like adenomyosis, advanced endometriosis, or significant fibroids can create an implantation environment where success is nearly impossible.
Immune System Response: For some, the immune system treats the embryo like a foreign invader. While certain immune factors are treatable, many are not, regardless of aggressive protocols, supplements, or perfect adherence to instructions.
Maternal Age and Cellular Quality: Maternal age impacts egg quality beyond genetics. Cellular function, metabolic capacity, and the embryo’s ability to develop post-transfer all decline in ways that testing cannot measure or fix.
Subtle Underlying Conditions: Blood clotting disorders, chronic inflammation, and subtle hormonal imbalances can derail the transfer process. Although these issues are treatable, success is not guaranteed.
When There’s No Answer At All
Sometimes there isn’t a clear explanation for why this keeps happening to you. “Unexplained infertility” is the label doctors use when they can’t figure out why your transfers keep failing.
Without clear answers, you’re left weighing whether to keep trying the same approach or consider alternatives that work around these obstacles entirely.
Should We Try One More Cycle or Move to Surrogacy?
This is probably the hardest decision you’ll face after everything you’ve already been through.
I wish I could tell you there’s one right answer, but there isn’t. However, there are ways to think through your specific situation with clarity instead of just clinging to hope because you’re terrified of giving up.
What You’ve Already Invested
Sit down and add up what you’ve spent on IVF so far. Everything—medications, procedures, genetic testing, all those extra interventions your doctor suggested.
Now compare that to what a complete surrogacy journey costs. A lot of people are genuinely shocked when they realize they’re already halfway to surrogacy costs, but they’re not anywhere near the same chance of actually holding their baby.
Your Medical Reality Check
Has your doctor actually identified something specific and treatable that would improve your next cycle? Or are they suggesting “one more try” without a clear reason why this time would be different from the last three times?
That distinction matters so much more than doctors want to admit.
The Emotional Calculation
Failed transfers take a toll that your bank statements can’t capture. Your mental health is suffering.
Your relationships are strained. If thinking about another failed cycle makes you feel physically sick, that’s real information about where you are emotionally.
Your emotional reserves aren’t infinite, even though you’ve been acting like they are.
IVF vs. Surrogacy: A Cost Comparison After Multiple Failures
One full IVF cycle with egg retrieval: $12,000 to $30,000, depending on your clinic and where you live.
Three cycles—pretty common for people over 35—puts you at $45,000 to $105,000 in cumulative costs.
Failed frozen transfers add up at $3,000 to $7,000 per attempt, plus meds and monitoring. Three of those can hit $20,000 to $35,000 before you even realize it.
Most of us who’ve been through this end up spending $75,000 to $150,000 on IVF over several years without ever achieving a successful pregnancy.
Without ever getting to meet our baby.
What Surrogacy Actually Costs
A complete surrogacy journey through American Surrogacy runs $187,500 to $202,500 using our Limited Risk program.
That includes comprehensive support and a much higher chance of bringing home your baby because of how thoroughly we screen surrogates. Here’s where it gets interesting, though.
The Probability Factor Everyone Ignores
First-time embryo transfers with a carefully screened surrogate? 60-75% chance of working per transfer. Compare that to 20-40% for IVF, depending on your age and other factors.
So let’s say you have a 25% shot per IVF cycle and end up needing four cycles at $25,000 each. Spending $100,000 gets you a cumulative 68% chance of bringing home your baby.
With surrogacy at around $190,000, you’re getting a 70-75% chance per transfer, and many programs guarantee an outcome or refund your money.
Yes, you’re paying more upfront. But you’re buying predictability and odds that are higher than continuing IVF instead of just spending money on hope.
How Surrogacy Can Offer a Predictable Path Forward
After years of unpredictable IVF outcomes, certainty starts to matter as much as anything else.
Maybe even more. Surrogacy lets you use your existing genetically-tested embryos with someone who has proven fertility. That combination changes the probability equation entirely.
How Screening Changes Your Odds
We only work with surrogates who’ve already carried at least one healthy pregnancy to term.
They have proven fertility, excellent health, and have passed comprehensive medical and psychological evaluations. Less than 2% of potential surrogates pass our screening process.
That’s not us being picky for no reason. It translates directly to better outcomes for you.
Instead of hoping this cycle will somehow work despite the same underlying issues that caused all your previous failures, you work with someone whose body has already proven it can carry a pregnancy to term.
With surrogacy, you know the total cost range upfront. Our Limited Risk program guarantees you’ll bring home a baby or receive a significant refund.
That removes the awful uncertainty of spending $150,000+ on IVF with no promise you’ll ever actually become parents. There’s no more gambling. Just investing in something with real guarantees.
What’s Included in the Cost of Surrogacy (and What’s Not)
When you’re making financial decisions this big, you deserve full transparency about where your money goes.
No surprises. No hidden fees showing up later. Our Limited Risk program runs $187,500 to $202,500. That’s comprehensive—here’s the breakdown of what’s included and what you’ll pay separately.
What the Program Fee Covers
Finding and vetting your surrogate: Complete screening and qualification—medical, psychological, personal history, everything. We only match you with surrogates who meet strict standards. Plus all the marketing efforts to recruit high-quality candidates in the first place.
Financial guarantees: Protection through our guaranteed outcome structure. Bringing home a baby or receiving a significant refund is guaranteed. Period.
All surrogate-related costs: Her base compensation, monthly allowances, all pregnancy-related expenses. Medical coordination and insurance fees, including pregnancy insurance for your surrogate if she needs it.
Legal protection: All legal fees for contract development and establishing your parentage. No surprise legal bills.
Full support throughout: Agency support from matching through delivery, available 24/7 when you need us. Complete administrative services and accounting throughout your journey so you’re not managing spreadsheets while trying to become parents.
What You’ll Pay Separately
Creating or transferring embryos: $3,000 to $7,000 if you’re using existing embryos, or $15,000 to $25,000 if you need to create new ones. Using donor eggs or sperm adds to this cost.
After birth: The baby’s medical expenses aren’t included—that’s the newborn hospital care after delivery.
Travel: Travel and lodging for key appointments and the birth itself will be your responsibility. Being there for these moments matters, and those costs are separate.
It’s a substantial investment, yes. But it’s one with a clear endpoint and success rates higher than continuing IVF after you’ve already failed multiple times.
Financing Options After IVF Failure: What You Need to Know
Affording surrogacy is more accessible than you might think right now, especially after you’ve already been pouring money into IVF.
Fertility-Specific Financing
We’ve partnered with Sunfish, a company that specializes in surrogacy loans.
They get the financial dynamics of family-building in a way regular banks don’t, and they offer flexible payment plans designed for people like you who’ve already invested heavily in IVF.
Traditional Financing Routes
Personal loans from banks or credit unions usually beat general consumer credit on interest rates.
Some people use 401(k) loans to borrow against their retirement savings without penalties. This requires serious thought about long-term impacts, obviously. But it’s an option that’s helped a lot of people.
Health Savings Account funds can sometimes cover surrogacy-related medical expenses—check yours to see what applies.
Grants and Alternative Funding
Organizations offer grants and scholarships for family-building, particularly for LGBTQ+ families, cancer survivors, and people with specific medical conditions. They’re competitive, but they exist and they’re worth applying for.
Redirecting Your IVF Budget
Here’s something that clicks for a lot of people: the money you would keep spending on more IVF cycles can be redirected toward surrogacy instead.
You’re essentially converting those ongoing monthly costs into a structured payment toward something with way better odds of actually working. You were going to spend the money anyway.
This way, you’re spending it on something that has a real chance of ending with you holding your baby.
Is Surrogacy the Next Step? Let’s Talk.
You’ve carried the financial implications of multiple embryo transfer failures and the emotional weight long enough.
If you are questioning whether to endure another unpredictable IVF cycle or choose a proven path, we are here to talk.
Struggling with IVF costs? Discover why surrogacy might be more financially achievable than you realize, plus practical funding strategies.
If you’ve found yourself at the point where yet another round of IVF seems financially impossible, you’re not alone.
After years of appointments and treatments that have gone nowhere, it’s understandable to feel like you’ve hit a wall. Our role is to help you see your next steps clearly and find a direction that feels right.
Can’t Afford Another Round of IVF? You’re Not Alone
By now, you’ve already done everything you could with IVF.
That effort matters, and it’s okay to look for something that finally gives you
results.
Surrogacy provides a path forward that doesn’t require
starting from scratch—some families use embryos they already have, while others
explore new options with guidance from professionals who understand where
you’re coming from.
Enough waiting and wondering. Now it’s about taking the next
step that brings you closer to the outcome you’ve been working toward.
Why Repeated IVF Failure Can Become Financially Unsustainable
Let’s talk about the money piece first, because it’s
probably on your mind.
IVF costs add up fast. A single cycle can cost $15,000–$25,000, not including medications or additional procedures.
Even if insurance helps, most families still cover a large portion themselves. After a few rounds, you’re looking at surrogacy-level costs anyway. But here’s the difference: Surrogacy usually offers a clearer path to success.
It’s not just about money, though. Each attempt takes time,
emotion, and energy. Using that same energy on something more predictable can
make all the difference. Instead of wondering if this
next transfer will finally work, you can follow a defined plan—one that
leads toward parenthood.
If your doctor has started suggesting more tests or experimental treatments, it might be time to pause. Take a breath. Reassess what’s truly worth your effort and what will move you closer to your dream.
How Surrogacy Helps You Grow Your Family While Keeping a Genetic Connection
One of the most common questions about surrogacy comes down to genetics. In gestational surrogacy, your surrogate carries an embryo created from your own egg and sperm. That means your baby is biologically yours—the journey just takes a different route.
If you have embryos
from earlier IVF cycles, this could be your next step. No need to go
through another full round of treatment. Every surrogate is carefully screened
for health and emotional readiness, and that attention to detail gives you
peace of mind and a stronger sense of control.
Questions about the process? Connect
with our team—we can explain what it looks like and help you decide if it’s
right for you.
What If You’ve Run Out of Embryos?
Running out of embryos can feel discouraging, but it’s not
the end of the road. There are still ways forward, and you don’t have to figure
it out alone.
Using Donor Embryos in the Process
Some families move ahead using donor
embryos that are already created, screened, and ready for transfer. It’s
faster and can reduce
overall costs—a quicker route to parenthood for those ready to focus on the
next stage.
Others choose double donor IVF, using both donor eggs and sperm to create new embryos for surrogacy. It’s flexible and has strong success rates. For many, it’s a way to move beyond the frustration of failed cycles and toward something new.
Coordinators can walk you through both paths and connect you
with clinics that fit your goals. You’ll know what to expect, and you’ll have
the support to make it happen.
Need to understand your options better? Explore
donor options—take it one step at a time and see what feels right for you.
Finding Hope After IVF: How Surrogacy Can Be a More Certain Path to Parenthood
So how is surrogacy different from what you’ve been through? Surrogacy can feel like a big step.
But for many, it brings more structure and reassurance than years of IVF uncertainty. Success rates for gestational surrogacy often reach 70–80%, and that predictability gives families something they haven’t had in a long time—hope that feels solid.
The process is organized, transparent, and supported by
professionals who know how to keep it moving. Step by step, you’ll understand
what’s next. Each milestone brings you closer to your goal.
Financing Options That Make Surrogacy More Accessible
Now let’s talk about making this work financially.
The cost of surrogacy can seem intimidating at first glance,
but it’s often more doable than people think. We work with trusted
lenders and nonprofit organizations that offer flexible options for
financing. Once you explore what’s out there, the path becomes easier to see.
Here are some common ways families manage costs:
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and tax write-offs for eligible expenses
You don’t have to have everything figured out right away. We
can even help you create a plan that works for your family.
Finding Support and Taking the Next Step
After several IVF attempts, most people want something that
feels calmer and more certain. Surrogacy gives you a structured way forward and
a team that’s ready to guide you when you’re ready to begin.
Families often describe this point as a turning moment—the
place where things finally start to make sense again. You’ll have time to
think, ask, and plan. No pressure, no rush. Just guidance and steady progress.
Even strong embryos may fail in IVF. Discover hidden reasons why and how surrogacy can provide renewed hope for your path to parenthood.
After multiple IVF cycles, you’ve heard all the hopeful
phrases. “These embryos look promising.” “Your numbers are good
this time.” “We’re optimistic about this transfer.”
You might be wondering: if the embryos are supposedly fine,
why isn’t this working?
You’re not alone in asking this question. Even with
high-quality embryos, IVF can fail for reasons that have nothing to do with the
embryos themselves. Understanding why can help you make informed decisions
about your next steps, including whether surrogacy might offer the path to
parenthood you’ve been searching for.
We’re here to help you understand what might be happening and explore how surrogacy after failed IVF can offer renewed hope. Contact us today to speak with a specialist about your options.
Why Does IVF Fail Even With Good Embryos?
When fertility specialists talk about “good”
embryos, they’re typically referring to embryos that look healthy under a
microscope and may have passed genetic testing. But how an embryo looks represents
only one piece of a complex puzzle.
The frustration you’re feeling is completely understandable.
When you’ve invested so much hope, time, and resources into creating these
embryos, it can be heartbreaking to learn that other factors may be preventing
success.
IVF success depends on many different things working
together perfectly:
How healthy the embryo is
Whether your uterus is ready to accept it
Your hormone levels
Countless other factors that happen inside your
body
Even if an embryo appears perfect in the lab, it still needs
the right environment to attach, get a blood supply, and continue growing.
Many intended parents don’t realize that repeated implantation failure affects up to 10% of couples undergoing IVF. You may feel isolated in your experience, but medical professionals regularly see cases where excellent embryos fail to implant despite multiple attempts.
“Good Embryos”
in IVF: What That Really Means And Why It’s Not the Whole Story
When lab specialists evaluate embryos, they assess various
factors to determine quality grades. These evaluations help determine which
embryos are most likely to result in successful pregnancy.
However, even embryos that appear perfect under the
microscope and pass genetic screening may not result in pregnancy. Current
assessment methods examine only what’s visible or testable with today’s
technology.
Many factors that affect embryo success remain invisible to
current testing methods. Even the most sophisticated genetic screening examines
only a small sample of cells, which may not represent the entire embryo.
This is why even embryos that receive excellent grades and
pass all available testing may not result in pregnancy. The assessment tools we
have today, while helpful, don’t capture every aspect of what makes an embryo
successful.
Uterine Factors That Can Undermine IVF Success
When high-quality embryos repeatedly fail to implant, the
focus often shifts to your uterine environment. Your uterine lining must be
perfectly timed and ready for the embryo to attach.
Endometrial Receptivity Issues
There’s a narrow window when your uterine lining is ready to
accept an embryo. If this timing is off by even a day or two, implantation may
fail. Some women have different timing that doesn’t match standard IVF
protocols.
Structural
abnormalities include:
Uterine fibroids
Polyps
A condition called adenomyosis
Uterine shape differences you were born with
These conditions can interfere with implantation or early
pregnancy development. Even small fibroids or polyps that don’t cause symptoms
in daily life can significantly impact IVF success rates.
Chronic Endometritis
Low-grade inflammation of the uterine lining often goes
unnoticed because it doesn’t cause obvious symptoms. However, it can create an
environment that’s hostile to implantation. Studies suggest this affects 15-25%
of women with repeated implantation failure.
Blood Flow and Vascular Issues
Good blood flow to the uterine lining is essential for
supporting an implanting embryo. Conditions affecting blood flow to the uterus,
including certain autoimmune conditions or clotting disorders, can prevent
successful implantation even with perfect embryos.
Hormonal Imbalances
Subtle hormone issues that don’t prevent embryo development
in the lab can still interfere with the complex hormone coordination required
for implantation and early pregnancy.
Beyond the Lab: The Immune and Genetic Reasons IVF Fails Again and Again
Reproductive
immunology is an emerging field that explores how your immune system might
be preventing pregnancy. Think of your immune system as your body’s security
team. During pregnancy, it faces a unique challenge.
Your immune system needs to:
Welcome and protect the embryo (which is
genetically half from your partner)
Continue fighting off infections and other
threats
When this delicate balance goes wrong, it can prevent
embryos from implanting or cause early pregnancy loss.
HLA
Compatibility: Sometimes partners can be too genetically
similar in certain ways, which can prevent successful pregnancy. This is rare
but may require special treatment approaches.
Thrombophilia:
Mild blood clotting problems that don’t affect your daily life can prevent
proper blood flow during early pregnancy, causing implantation to fail.
Complement
System Dysfunction: Your immune system might be working too
hard during pregnancy attempts, inadvertently attacking the developing
pregnancy.
Many doctors don’t routinely test for these immune-related
issues during fertility evaluations. They may explain why some couples
experience repeated failures despite having good embryos and no obvious fertility problems.
Issues that are often missed include:
Overactive immune cells in the uterus
Hidden autoimmune problems
Mild blood clotting tendencies
Immune system imbalances
When To Stop Trying IVF and Start Considering Surrogacy
Deciding when to transition from IVF to surrogacy is deeply
personal, but certain medical and emotional signs can help guide this difficult
decision. Remember, considering surrogacy isn’t giving up. It’s opening a door
to new possibilities.
Medical Indicators
Most fertility specialists suggest considering other
approaches after 3-4
failed transfers with good-quality embryos, particularly if you’ve
experienced repeated implantation failure. If comprehensive testing has
revealed uterine problems that can’t be successfully treated, or if multiple
interventions haven’t improved outcomes, surrogacy may offer better chances of
success.
When Embryo Quality Isn’t the Issue
If you’re consistently producing good embryos but experiencing implantation
failure, this often indicates that your embryos are healthy but your uterine
environment may not be optimal for pregnancy.
Take heart in knowing that this is actually an ideal
situation for surrogacy, where your genetic material can be carried by someone
with a proven ability to achieve and maintain pregnancy.
Emotional Readiness
The
emotional toll of repeated IVF attempts can’t be underestimated. When the
physical and emotional stress of continued attempts begins outweighing the
potential benefits, it may be time to explore surrogacy as a path that offers
renewed hope and energy for your family-building journey.
What Surrogacy Is
Surrogacy uses your own eggs and your partner’s sperm (or
donor sperm) to create embryos through IVF, then transfers those embryos to a
woman who will carry the pregnancy for you. The baby is 100% genetically yours.
The surrogate provides only the uterine environment.
Can I Use Embryos from Previous IVF Cycles
in Surrogacy?
Yes, in most cases, frozen embryos from previous IVF cycles
can be used in surrogacy. This means your IVF investment hasn’t been lost. It
becomes the foundation for your surrogacy journey. Your previous efforts
weren’t in vain.
Benefits of using existing embryos:
No additional egg retrieval cycles needed
Faster timeline to transfer
Lower overall treatment costs
Familiar genetic material
Your existing embryos can be thawed and transferred to your
surrogate, potentially saving you from additional egg retrieval cycles and
allowing you to move forward more quickly.
The process of using frozen embryos in surrogacy is
typically straightforward. Your fertility clinic will coordinate with your
surrogacy agency to ensure proper handling and transfer of your embryos to the
clinic where your surrogate will receive care.
How Surrogacy Bypasses Uterine Challenges
and Restores Hope
Surrogacy can get around virtually all uterine-related
causes of IVF failure. When your embryos are transferred to a surrogate who has
been thoroughly screened for optimal uterine health, you eliminate concerns
about:
Timing issues with your uterine lining
Physical problems in your uterus
Hidden inflammation or infection
Blood flow problems
Immune dysfunction specific to your uterine
environment
Surrogate
screening advantages:
Proven track record of successful pregnancies
Optimal reproductive health confirmed
More extensive evaluation than typical fertility
patients
What Happens When You Pursue Surrogacy: A Step-By-Step Look
Understanding the surrogacy process can help demystify this
path and show you how achievable parenthood through surrogacy can be.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation where
you’ll discuss your fertility history, previous IVF attempts, and goals for
surrogacy. This is your opportunity to ask questions, understand timelines, and
learn about different program options that might fit your needs.
Step 2: Matching Process
Once you’re ready to move forward, you’ll be presented with
profiles of potential surrogates who match your preferences and medical
requirements. Our surrogate
screening process ensures you’ll only see candidates who have been
thoroughly vetted medically, psychologically, and legally.
Step 3: Legal Process
After you’ve connected with a surrogate and decided to move
forward together, legal contracts are created to protect everyone involved.
These contracts cover medical decisions, financial arrangements, communication
expectations, and all other aspects of your journey together.
Step 4: Medical Coordination
Your fertility clinic will coordinate with your surrogate’s
medical care to prepare for embryo transfer. This includes timing cycles,
preparing the surrogate’s uterus, and scheduling the transfer procedure.
Step 5: Transfer and Pregnancy
Embryo transfer to your surrogate follows the same basic
process as IVF transfer, but with the advantage of a uterine environment that’s
been proven capable of achieving and maintaining pregnancy. Throughout the
pregnancy, you’ll have the opportunity to be as involved as you want to be
while your surrogate carries your genetic child.
Step 6: Birth and Beyond
When your baby is born, legal processes ensure you’re
recognized as the legal parents from the moment of birth. Most intended parents
find the experience of meeting their child for the first time incredibly
emotional and rewarding after their journey to parenthood.
Why Intended Parents Trust American Surrogacy After IVF Failure
When you’ve experienced the heartbreak of failed IVF cycles,
choosing the right surrogacy agency becomes essential for rebuilding confidence
in your path to parenthood.
Short Wait Times
We understand that time feels critical after IVF setbacks. Our process for becoming parents faster typically allows intended parents to be matched with a pre-screened surrogate in an average of months rather than years. We maintain relationships with surrogates across the country, giving you options and reducing wait times.
Thoroughly Screened Surrogates
Our comprehensive
surrogate screening goes far beyond basic health checks. We evaluate
medical history, psychological readiness, social support, lifestyle factors,
and motivation. You’ll only be presented with candidates who have demonstrated
the commitment and capability to help you succeed.
Financial Protection Through Our Limited
Risk Program
After investing significantly in IVF attempts, financial protection becomes a priority. Our Limited Risk Program includes provisions for unlimited matching opportunities if your first match doesn’t work out, and refund options if your journey doesn’t result in a baby and you have no embryos remaining.
This protection allows you to move forward with confidence rather than fear about additional financial loss.
Experience With Complex Cases
We regularly work with intended parents who have navigated multiple
fertility challenges. Our team understands the unique emotional and medical
considerations involved in transitioning from IVF to surrogacy, and we’re
equipped to support you through this process.
Transparent Communication
After experiencing the uncertainty of failed IVF cycles,
clear communication becomes essential. We provide regular updates throughout
your journey and ensure you understand each step of the process. You’ll have
dedicated support staff who understand your history and are committed to your
success.
Ready to Explore Surrogacy? Here’s How to Take the Next Step
Your journey through IVF hasn’t been a failure. It’s been
preparation. The embryos you’ve created, the medical knowledge you’ve gained,
and the resilience you’ve developed through this process all become valuable
assets in a surrogacy journey.
The decision to pursue surrogacy after IVF can actually feel
empowering. You’re taking control of your journey and choosing a path that
addresses the specific challenges you’ve faced.
Childless after IVF? Learn how surrogacy addresses specific IVF failure causes while using your existing embryos for better success rates.
What if being childless after IVF doesn’t mean your journey
to parenthood is over?
After multiple failed cycles, transferred embryos that
didn’t implant, and months or years of hoping each attempt would be “the
one,” surrogacy can offer a renewed path to the family you’ve been
fighting to build.
Connect with our team to learn how surrogacy for childlessness can help you use finally welcome your baby home.
Being childless after IVF doesn’t mean your journey to
parenthood is over—it means you’re ready for a path that actually works
What No One Tells You About Why IVF Keeps Failing
Recurrent implantation failure occurs when genetically
normal embryos repeatedly fail to implant despite optimal laboratory
conditions.
The most common medical reasons include:
Uterine factors like fibroids, uterine scarring,
adenomyosis, or thin endometrial lining that prevent implantation.
Age-related factors significantly impact both
egg quality and uterine receptivity, particularly after 35.
Autoimmune conditions can interfere with
pregnancy establishment, while some cases remain unexplained despite normal
test results.
Many intended parents discover that their embryos were
healthy—they just needed the right environment to grow.
If you’re questioning
whether another IVF attempt is worth it or if it’s time to move on, learn more about
what
to ask your doctor after multiple failed IVF cycles.
The Hidden Emotional Toll of Being Childless After IVF
The transition from active IVF treatment to considering
alternative paths involves complex
emotions that deserve acknowledgment.
Being childless
after IVF creates a unique form of grief—mourning the loss of the
pregnancy experience you envisioned while questioning whether your body has
somehow failed you.
This journey often brings feelings of isolation, as friends
and family may struggle to understand the depth of your loss. Fear creeps in,
making you wonder if any path to parenthood will work for you.
Healthy coping includes seeking professional counseling from
fertility specialists, connecting with support groups, and taking intentional
breaks to process and heal.
Most importantly, focusing on strengthening your partnership
creates a foundation for whatever comes next.
How Surrogacy Solves What IVF Couldn’t
Surrogacy addresses many specific factors that make IVF
unsuccessful while preserving your genetic connection to your child.
Success rates with quality embryos through surrogacy are
often significantly higher than continued IVF attempts for intended parents
who’ve experienced multiple failures.
Medical problems
surrogacy bypasses:
Uterine environment issues like endometriosis, adenomyosis, or thin lining
Recurrent implantation failure with healthy embryos
Age-related uterine receptivity decline
Autoimmune conditions interfering with pregnancy establishment
Medical conditions that make pregnancy dangerous for you
Can You Afford Another Failed IVF Attempt? The Real Cost of Trying Again
After multiple IVF failures, the true cost of continuing
treatment often exceeds surrogacy expenses while delivering diminishing
returns.
Each additional IVF cycle costs $15,000-$40,000 with success
rates that decrease after each failed attempt—meaning you could easily spend
$60,000-$100,000+ on four more cycles with uncertain outcomes.
Surrogacy ranges from $100,000 - $200,000+ total, but offers consistent success rates and opportunities for financial protection.
When you factor in the emotional cost of repeated failures
and the time lost pursuing unsuccessful treatments, surrogacy often represents
better value for reaching your goal of parenthood.
Smart Financial Planning After Your IVF Investment
Many families find that surrogacy represents better value than continued IVF attempts, with higher success rates justifying the investment.
Yes. Many
intended parents find that embryos created during IVF cycles work beautifully
with surrogacy—they just needed the right environment to succeed.
The transfer process mirrors your IVF preparation, with the
surrogate undergoing medical preparation while your embryos are transferred to
her uterus.
High-quality embryos that didn’t implant during IVF often
perform well in surrogacy, with success rates typically matching or exceeding
fresh cycles.
The surrogacy process becomes streamlined when you already
have embryos because no additional egg retrievals are needed and the timeline
from matching to transfer can be shorter.
Why American Surrogacy Gets Your Post-IVF Journey
After the medical complexity of IVF, choosing a surrogacy
agency that understands your journey becomes vital.
At American Surrogacy, we regularly work with intended
parents transitioning from IVF, providing seamless coordination between your
clinic and surrogacy process.
What sets us apart
for post-IVF families:
Staff that understands the unique emotional
landscape of being childless after IVF
Comprehensive screening ensuring all surrogates
have successfully carried pregnancies to term
Quick wait times to help you become parents
faster
You’ve waited long enough to become parents. Learn more about how we can match you in 1 - 4 months, ensuring you have more time spent with the family you’ve been waiting to have.
Your Next Chapter Starts Now
Surrogacy
for childlessness after failed IVF isn’t admitting defeat—it’s choosing
a path that works with your medical reality while honoring your commitment to
parenthood.
Ready to explore how surrogacy can help you become parents? Contact our team today to take the next step toward the family you’ve been fighting to build.
You’ve already proven your dedication to becoming parents.
Now let us help you find the path that finally leads to your baby.
Miscarriage due to incompetent cervix creates fear of trying again. Learn about medical treatments and surrogacy for safer parenthood.
If you’ve experienced a miscarriage due to incompetent cervix, the thought
of trying again can feel overwhelming. The sudden loss between 16-24 weeks
leaves many parents questioning whether they’ll ever safely carry a baby to
term.
You’re not alone in these fears, and there are both medical
interventions and alternative paths like surrogacy that can help you achieve
parenthood safely.
Ready to explore your options with a surrogacy
specialist? Get personalized guidance today when you fill out our
simple form.
What Is Incompetent Cervix and Why Does It Cause Pregnancy Loss?
Incompetent
cervix (cervical insufficiency) occurs when your cervix opens and thins
during pregnancy without contractions or labor pains.
This typically happens during the second trimester, leading
to sudden pregnancy loss without warning signs like bleeding or cramping.
Connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos
syndrome
Unlike early miscarriages, miscarriage due to incompetent cervix often occurs without symptoms, making it particularly traumatic for expectant parents.
Can You Carry a Baby After Incompetent Cervix Loss?
Many women successfully carry babies after cervical
insufficiency, but success depends on individual factors and medical
intervention. Treatment options exist, though they don’t guarantee outcomes.
Medical
interventions include:
Cervical cerclage: Surgical stitches to
keep the cervix closed (75-90% success rate when placed early)
Progesterone supplementation: Hormonal
support to maintain pregnancy
Frequent monitoring: Regular ultrasounds
to measure cervical length
Activity restrictions: Modified daily
activities and possible bed rest
However, even with treatment,
recurrence rates for miscarriage
due to incompetent cervix range from 15-30%, leaving many intended
parents seeking
alternatives.
Why Many Intended Parents Choose Surrogacy After Incompetent Cervix
When medical interventions feel too risky or have failed
before, surrogacy offers a medically safer path to parenthood. Gestational
surrogacy completely bypasses cervical risks by allowing your genetic embryos
to develop in a healthy surrogate’s uterus.
Surrogacy is often
recommended when you’ve experienced:
Multiple losses due to cervical insufficiency
High medical risks with future pregnancies
Severe anxiety about attempting another
pregnancy
Failed cervical procedures or treatments
The emotional relief of knowing your baby is developing
safely often outweighs other considerations for intended parents who’ve endured
miscarriage due to incompetent cervix.
Are you ready to
explore options that feel less uncertain? Learn more about how surrogacy
after failed IVF or pregnancy loss can help you become the parents you’ve
been waiting to be.
Understanding Your Surrogacy Options After Pregnancy Loss
Surrogacyallows
you to maintain a genetic connection while eliminating cervical risks. Your
fertility specialist retrieves your eggs, creates embryos through IVF and transfers
them to your surrogate’s uterus.
The Real Cost of Repeated Pregnancy Attempts vs. Surrogacy
While surrogacy requires an upfront investment of $189,500-$200,000+,
repeated pregnancy attempts after miscarriage due to incompetent cervix can accumulate substantial
costs.
Costs of medical
management per pregnancy attempt:
Cervical cerclage surgery: $3,000-$8,000
High-risk obstetric care: $15,000-$25,000
NICU costs if premature birth occurs:
$50,000-$200,000+
Lost wages from bed rest or complications
Emotional counseling and therapy
Some surrogacy agencies partner with fertility financing
companies, making surrogacy more accessible than many intended parents realize.
American Surrogacy’s Support for Intended Parents After Pregnancy Loss
We understand that starting surrogacy after incompetent
cervix loss requires exceptional care and sensitivity. Our comprehensive
support includes:
Specialized matching services that
connect you with highly-qualified surrogates in an average
of 1-4 months.
Emotional support resources including
counseling referrals, support groups and connection with other intended parents
who’ve walked similar paths.
Financial protection through our Limited
Risk programthat provides
peace of mind after previous pregnancy losses, ensuring your investment is
protected if complications arise.
When you’re ready to move forward, we’ll be here to guide
you through every step with the compassion and expertise you deserve.
Taking Your Next Step Toward Safe Parenthood
You don’t have to choose between your dreams of parenthood
and your peace of mind. Surrogacy offers a path forward that honors both your
desire for a genetic connection and your need for emotional safety.
If you’re ready to explore how surrogacy can help you build
your family after incompetent
cervix loss, we’re here to provide the specialized support you deserve.
Ready to learn more
about surrogacy after pregnancy loss? Connect with
a surrogacy specialist today to take that next step toward holding your
baby in your arms.
Wondering does CMV status matter with IVF? Discover how CMV affects embryo creation, transfer timing, and pregnancy risks. Learn when surrogacy offers safer alternatives.
CMV (cytomegalovirus) is a common yet often misunderstood virus that can directly affect your fertility timeline, your embryo transfer plans, and the safety of pregnancy.
Whether you’re actively undergoing IVF, considering donor
options or exploring surrogacy as a next step, understanding the role of CMV is
essential.
If you’re exploring
other family-building options due to CMV-related IVF delays, our team at
American Surrogacy is here to help. Fill out our quick form
to learn how surrogacy could fit your unique journey.
This guide breaks down how CMV intersects with IVF, what
your test results mean, how it may impact your plans—and how American Surrogacy
can help you move forward when delays or risks arise.
What is CMV and Why Is It Risky During Pregnancy?
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that affects most
adults by middle age. While generally harmless in healthy individuals, CMV can
cause serious complications during pregnancy, especially when infection occurs
in the first trimester.
Why CMV matters:
Congenital
CMV Risk: If transmitted to the baby, CMV can result in lifelong health
issues.
Silent
Symptoms: Many adults don’t realize they’ve had CMV because it often causes
no symptoms.
Pregnancy
Timing: CMV infections during conception or embryo transfer are the most
concerning.
Understanding CMV’s risks is critical to making informed
decisions about fertility treatments.
Why Does CMV Status Matter for IVF or Embryo Creation?
CMV is a common virus that affects up
to 85% of adults by age 40. While it rarely causes symptoms in healthy
individuals, CMV status becomes critically important during IVF and pregnancy
because of potential risks to developing embryos and babies.
Your CMV status affects several aspects of your IVF journey:
Embryo Transfer Timing: Active CMV infections may
delay embryo transfers to prevent transmission risks during early pregnancy.
Donor Selection: When using donor eggs or sperm,
CMV status compatibility becomes a key matching criterion.
Pregnancy Safety:CMV transmission during pregnancy can cause serious complications
for developing babies.
Medical Clearance: Fertility clinics have specific
protocols for managing patients with different CMV statuses.
Understanding these factors helps explain why CMV and IVF protocols exist
and how they protect both you and your future baby.
When Do Fertility Clinics Test for CMV?
Most fertility workups include CMV screening blood test early
in the process. Testing may also be required when using donor eggs, donor sperm
or working with a gestational carrier.
Timely testing allows clinics to adapt your IVF or embryo
transfer plan to maximize safety.
What If I’m CMV Positive? Understanding CMV Testing Results
CMV IgG Positive: This indicates past exposure to
CMV and means you have developed immunity. Being IgG positive is generally
favorable for IVF, as you’re unlikely to contract a new CMV infection during
pregnancy.
CMV IgM Positive: This suggests a recent or active
CMV infection. IgM positive results typically require waiting periods before
proceeding with embryo transfers to ensure the infection has resolved and
reduce transmission risks.
CMV Negative: Having no previous CMV exposure
means you’re susceptible to new infections, requiring careful donor selection
and monitoring during pregnancy.
Your fertility clinic will interpret these results alongside
other factors to determine the safest approach for your specific situation.
How Long Should You Wait After a CMV Infection to Try IVF?
If you test CMV IgM
positive, most clinics recommend waiting 6-12 months before
embryo transfer to ensure the infection has cleared.
What happens during the
wait:
Repeat antibody testing to confirm immunity
Clearance from your reproductive endocrinologist
Proceeding with egg retrieval and embryo
freezing if desired
This approach minimizes the risk of CMV transmission to the
baby.
If a long CMV
clearance timeline feels discouraging, talk to us
about how surrogacy can help you keep your family-building momentum.
Can I Move Forward with IVF with an Active CMV Infection?
Yes—but with limitations. While you may proceed with egg retrieval and embryo creation, most clinics advise waiting 3–6 months post-infection before transferring embryos.
This waiting period serves several important purposes:
Allows your immune system to fully clear the
active infection
Reduces risk of CMV transmission during early
pregnancy
Ensures optimal conditions for embryo
implantation
Minimizes potential pregnancy complications
While waiting can feel frustrating, this approach
significantly improves your chances of a healthy pregnancy outcome.
CMV and Pregnancy Risks
CMV and pregnancy risks are particularly concerning when infection occurs during conception or early pregnancy. Congenital CMV transmission can lead to:
Hearing loss in newborns
Developmental delays
Vision problems
Microcephaly (smaller than normal head size)
Intellectual disabilities
These risks explain why fertility clinics take CMV status
seriously when planning IVF treatments and why timing matters so much for safe
embryo transfers.
Can Surrogacy Help If You’ve Had a Recent CMV Infection?
If you’ve recently had a CMV infection that delays your IVF
timeline, surrogacy may offer a faster and medically safer path to parenthood.
Rather than waiting months for medical clearance for
personal pregnancy, you can move forward with embryo creation and transfer to a
healthy surrogate.
Advantages of Surrogacy After Recent CMV Infection:
Faster Timeline:
Surrogacy eliminates personal waiting periods required after CMV infection,
allowing you to proceed with your family-building goals sooner.
Reduced Risk: Your
surrogate’s CMV immunity status is screened, ensuring optimal safety for embryo
transfer and pregnancy.
Peace of Mind: Knowing
your surrogate is medically cleared and monitored provides emotional relief
during your fertility journey.
CMV and Sperm Donors: Choosing the Right Match
When using donor sperm, CMV status compatibility becomes a
crucial selection criterion. Sperm banks routinely test donors and provide
detailed CMV status information to help you make informed choices.
CMV Positive Sperm Donors:
Safe for recipients who are CMV IgG positive
Typically more abundant in donor banks
CMV Negative Sperm Donors:
Preferred for CMV negative recipients
Lower risk but potentially fewer match options
Need help navigating
donor options? American Surrogacy can coordinate with your clinic to simplify
the process. Contact us
today.
When to Select a CMV Positive Sperm Donor
People generally choose a
CMV positive
sperm donor when:
You are CMV IgG positive (immune from past
exposure)
Your partner is CMV positive
Your fertility clinic recommends CMV positive
matching
You want access to a broader donor pool (more
options available)
CMV positive donors are often in higher supply, potentially
offering more choices in physical characteristics, education, and other desired
traits.
When to Select a CMV Negative Sperm Donor
Choose a CMV negative sperm donor when:
You are CMV negative (no previous exposure)
Your fertility clinic specifically recommends
avoiding CMV exposure
You want to minimize any infection risk during
pregnancy
Your surrogate (if using one) is CMV negative
CMV negative donors may be in shorter supply, potentially
limiting selection options but providing the safest match for CMV negative
recipients.
How American Surrogacy Supports Families Navigating CMV and IVF for Embryo
Creation
Dealing with CMV complications during IVF can feel overwhelming, especially when medical hurdles delay your path to parenthood.
American Surrogacy can act as your compassionate guide through these complex fertility challenges, and surrogacy can be a flexible solution when CMV status complicates personal pregnancy attempts.
Our support includes:
Clinic
Coordination: We liaise with your fertility clinic to understand your
medical clearance status.
Surrogate
Matching: We can match you with a surrogate in an average of 1-4 months.
Surrogate
Screening: Our surrogates have been thoroughly pre-screened, minimizing the
chance of complications, saving you time and money.
We’re not just a service—we’re your partner in building the
family you’ve dreamed of.
When CMV Makes Surrogacy the Preferred Path
Surrogacy becomes particularly valuable when:
Recent CMV infection delays your personal
pregnancy timeline by 6+ months
Previous CMV-related pregnancy complications
make future pregnancies inadvisable
You want the fastest path to parenthood despite
CMV complications
Remember, choosing surrogacy doesn’t mean giving up on your
dreams—it means finding the safest, most efficient route to holding your baby.
Ready to Move Forward? Let American Surrogacy Help You Navigate CMV and IVF
Challenges
If you’re facing delays due to CMV, American Surrogacy can help you explore surrogacy as a faster, safer alternative.
![Do You Get Your Money Back for Failed IVF? [Understanding Costs]](https://www.americansurrogacy.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1481389590-1200x800.jpg)
