Gestational surrogacy opens the door to parenthood for those who aren't able to carry a pregnancy on their own. At Illume, our Third Party Reproduction Team is by your side from first consultation through delivery—ensuring you’re supported at every step.
With gestational surrogacy, an embryo created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) is transferred to the uterus of a gestational carrier (often called a surrogate), who carries the pregnancy on behalf of the intended parents.
The carrier has no genetic relationship to the baby — the embryo is created using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors.
From medical conditions to family structure, surrogacy offers a path forward when other options may not be possible. Here are a few reasons people choose this journey:
Some intended parents can’t carry a pregnancy due to medical conditions, previous surgeries, or health risks. Surrogacy provides a safe way to grow their family.
Surrogacy allows same-sex male couples and single fathers by choice to have a biological child, with the help of an egg donor and a gestational carrier.
For those experiencing repeated IVF failure, recurrent miscarriage, or unexplained infertility, surrogacy can offer a hopeful path to parenthood.
Understanding each step of the surrogacy process can help you feel more prepared and empowered. Whether you're just beginning to explore this path or ready to take the next step, here’s an overview of what the journey typically looks like.
The cost of a surrogacy journey can be staggering, which is why Illume Fertility offers specialized support to help patients working with a gestational carrier.
With bundled services, access to financial resources, recommended grants, and other tools, you'll receive the support you need to find the right financial path forward and make your dreams come true.
After 22+ years providing inclusive, top-tier gestational surrogacy support to U.S. and international intended parents, Illume is ready to help you find success next.
On top of your dedicated Care Team, which is made up of your reproductive endocrinologist, nurse, Patient Navigator, and Financial Coordinator, we offer additional support.
No matter where you call home, Illume Fertility is here for you. We’ve supported patients from over 50 countries in building their families—welcoming more than 15,000 babies through inclusive, world-class fertility care.
Here's what international intended parents can expect:
Our Global Concierge helps coordinate travel, accommodations, appointment scheduling, and more - allowing you to focus on your journey, not the logistics of the process.
Referrals to trusted reproductive attorneys and other experts who will guide you through the legal aspects of surrogacy, ensuring your family is protected in both the U.S. and your home country.
Access to Illume's hallmark strengths, including excellent IVF success rates, advanced diagnostics, an on-site lab and surgical suite, a holistic wellness team, and personalized treatments.
When you choose to work with Illume Fertility to grow your family, our experts will guide you through the surrogacy process with support and resources the entire way.
After you contact us, one of our New Patient Liaisons will reach out within 48 hours to set up your first consult and help you get started.
This vital step of the process typically includes a physical exam and genetic testing for the intended parent(s) to uncover any potential concerns.
Your Care Team will create a personalized surrogacy plan with you and connect you to all the right resources to have a successful journey.
