Being a parent can be a wonderful and memorable moment for any couple to experience. Therefore, it can be devastating for many people who are not fortunate enough to experience the feeling of parenthood. But thanks to modern medicine and technology, it has now become possible to conceive a child even with infertility issues.
The medical world has been introduced to two of the most effective infertility treatments: IVF and Surrogacy. However, many individuals find themselves in a dilemma when choosing between those treatment approaches.
Therefore, today in this blog, we will cover the differences between IVF and Surrogacy, which can help you determine the best solution for your parenthood journey.
What is IVF?
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is a type of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) that leads to pregnancy through a series of procedures. In vitro means outside the living body, through which the IVF name derives as the egg fertilizes outside the woman’s body in the laboratory dish.
The IVF cycle usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete. In many cases, a woman may need to undergo a few more cycles to increase the chances of pregnancy.
IVF is a common and successful treatment that can help with various infertility treatments such as ovulation problems, blocked fallopian tubes, PCOS, male factor infertility or unexplained infertility.
IVF Procedure
IVF is the most common infertility treatment that has managed to achieve a high success rate. The IVF procedure involves a series of complex steps that infertility experts conduct. Below are the steps involved in IVF:-
Initial Consultation: A thorough medical history of the patient is reviewed, which involves a few fertility tests and a treatment plan.
Ovarian Stimulation: The patient is given fertility medications (injections) over a few weeks to mature multiple eggs. This process is monitored by ultrasounds. An HCG trigger shot is then given to complete the maturation process of the eggs.
Egg Retrieval: Since the process is minimally invasive, medication and sedation are used to collect eggs from follicles.
Sperm Retrieval: The male partner will provide a semen sample so that the healthiest sperm can be collected for fertilization. If the male partner is completely infertile (also known as sterile), a donor can provide a sperm sample for the process.
Fertilization: The sperm is then combined with the mature egg for fertilization using conventional insemination (CI) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) techniques.
Embryo Development: Once fertilization is successful, the fertilized eggs are then kept under observation by watching them grow, which are then left to develop over the next several days.
Embryo Transfer: After the week of observation and fertilization, one or more healthy embryos are chosen and transferred into the uterus. The procedure is relatively short and only takes up to 10-15 minutes.
Pregnancy: After the embryo transfer, a blood test is conducted in order to confirm whether you are pregnant. If the pregnancy test is positive, the journey to parenthood begins! If the test is negative, another IVF cycle can be considered.
The IVF cycle usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete. In many cases, a woman may need to undergo a few more cycles to increase the chances of pregnancy.
What is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is an arrangement where a woman called a gestational carrier(surrogate carries) delivers the baby on behalf of another person, called the intended parents. Usually, people who seek surrogacy are the individuals who might be facing some infertility challenges. There are two primary ways a woman can become a surrogate in order to conceive the baby:-
Gestational Surrogacy: Gestational Surrogacy is the type of surrogacy where the surrogate, also called the gestational carrier, has no biological connection with the baby. The pregnancy by the surrogate is achieved through IVF. The embryo is created in the lab using the egg and sperm from the intended parents. The embryo is then transferred to the surrogate, which leads to her pregnancy. Gestational Surrogacy is the most common form of surrogacy opted by couples.
Traditional Surrogacy: Traditional or natural surrogacy is the type where the surrogate is genetically related to the baby. In this scenario, the surrogate’s own egg gets fertilized with the sperm of the intended father. This method of surrogacy is uncommon and is only used due to a few circumstances. The child’s guardianship is then handed to the intended parents upon the baby’s birth.
Are IVF And Surrogacy The Same?
No, IVF and Surrogacy are different methods through which an individual can achieve pregnancy. However, they can sometimes be used together as well. Both methods vary depending on the individual’s financial, legal and emotional aspects. Below are some key differences between these methods:-
Method:
IVF helps with fertilization and the development of embryos, using the gametes of the intended parents or someone else’s gametes if the father is infertile. The egg fertilizes outside the mother’s body and is transferred to the uterus to achieve pregnancy.
Surrogacy is an alternative method to where a woman called a surrogate carries the baby for the intended parents. It allows individuals or couples to have children when pregnancy is not possible in the intended mother. However, surrogacy comes after the IVF procedures if the intended parents opt for gestational surrogacy, as it depends on the IVF process.
Intended for:
IVF is sought by individuals or couples who suffer from infertility issues such as:-
- Ovulation Problem
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- PCOS
- Male factor infertility
- Age-related fertility decline
- Primary ovarian insufficiency
Surrogacy is sought by individuals or couples who might face specific challenges, such as:-
- Damaged Uterus
- Severe health risks during pregnancy
- Same-sex male couples wanting to have a baby
- Single Men wanting to have children
Cost: IVF is less expensive than surrogacy due to the significant medical care of the surrogate, legal costs, and compensations.
Emotional Aspect:
IVF can be emotionally demanding due to hormonal changes and the possibility of multiple cycles.
Surrogacy can stir up emotional complexities within the intended parents due to trust issues, legal factors, and not having a biological connection if traditional surrogacy is in the play.
Both IVF and Surrogacy have the common goal of achieving parenthood but can differ in terms of methods, cost and emotional considerations. The choice should always be made after thorough research and consultation. At Candor IVF, we offer the best IVF treatment out there. However, don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions regarding IVF or surrogacy. After all, we are here to enlighten you on the path of parenthood.
FAQs
What is the basic difference between IVF and Surrogacy?
The primary difference between IVF and Surrogacy is the carrier of the pregnancy. In IVF, the intended mother herself carries and delivers the baby, whereas in Surrogacy, the surrogate woman carries and delivers the baby on behalf of the intended mother.
Is IVF better than Surrogacy?
IVF and Surrogacy both have their own merits. However, surrogacy might be complex due to cost or trust issues. Therefore, IVF might be proven better in that scenario.
Who is the biological mother in IVF?
The biological connection in IVF depends on whether the intended mother’s eggs are used or donor eggs are used. If the intended mother’s eggs are used, she is the biological mother. If donor’s eggs are used then the egg donor is the biological mother.
