Surrogacy and Egg Donation for Intended Parents
What do intended parents need to know when beginning surrogacy or egg donation
Intended parents want clarity, trust, and steady guidance from the moment they begin this journey. At Egg Donor and Surrogacy Institute (EDSI), we support families through every stage of surrogacy and egg donation with experience that spans more than twenty years. Our team provides thoughtful matching, emotional support, and coordination of medical and legal steps so parents feel informed and confident.
Every family has its own story. Finding the right surrogate or egg donor requires insight and care. Our Matching Process uses personal values, lived experience, and professional judgment to help create meaningful and lasting matches. The tools we use are helpful, yet the heart of this work comes from the connection you feel and the trust that grows throughout the process.
Egg Donor and Surrogacy Institute (EDSI) provides an Inclusive Family Support Standard that welcomes LGBTQIA+ parents, single parents and international parents seeking a clear and legally secure path to parenthood. The institute offers structured guidance that reflects the unique needs and expectations of each family profile so all parents receive a respectful and predictable experience.
Who Are Intended Parents?
“Intended Parents” is a term used in the context of Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). It refers to individuals or couples who seek to have a child through Surrogacy and egg donation, meaning they intend to become the legal parents of the child. There are several scenarios in which intended parents might pursue Surrogacy. As such, we have listed the different types of intended parents.
In Gestational Surrogacy arrangements, the intended parents typically provide the genetic material (sperm and/or egg), and the surrogate carries the pregnancy to term. After the child is born, the intended parents become the legal parents, either through pre-birth orders, adoption, or other legal processes, depending on the jurisdiction.
Couples facing infertility may turn to surrogacy after treatments such as IVF have not resulted in a successful pregnancy. In some cases, this includes using an egg donor or sperm donor to create embryos through IVF, followed by gestational surrogacy when carrying a pregnancy is not medically possible or has repeatedly failed.
Same sex couples may pursue parenthood through assisted reproduction using egg donation, sperm donation, and gestational surrogacy. Depending on the couple, one partner may provide genetic material while an egg donor and or a surrogate is used to carry the pregnancy, allowing both partners to participate in building a biological family connection.
Single men or women who wish to have a biological child may pursue parenthood through a combination of egg or sperm donation and gestational surrogacy, allowing them to build a family even when pregnancy or a genetic partner is not possible.
Certain medical conditions make pregnancy impossible or dangerously risky for a woman, such as absence or malformation of the womb, recurrent pregnancy loss, or severe heart disease.
Many families choose egg donation to reduce the risk of passing on known genetic conditions or because their own eggs are not viable. Through IVF, embryos can be created using a donor egg and genetically screened before transfer. Gestational surrogacy then provides a way to carry those embryos to term when pregnancy is not medically possible or advisable for the intended parent.
Integrated Care Standard
Egg Donor and Surrogacy Institute (EDSI) provides an Integrated Care Standard that coordinates fertility clinics, reproductive attorneys, mental health professionals and trusted escrow partners. This unified structure gives intended parents a predictable process with clear communication and steady oversight from the first consult through all medical and legal steps.
Transparency Standard
Egg Donor and Surrogacy Institute (EDSI) follows a Transparency Standard that presents all fees, legal requirements and medical timelines in clear and accessible language. Intended parents receive detailed explanations at each stage so they understand how decisions are made and what to expect as the journey progresses.
Outcome Assurance Standard
Egg Donor and Surrogacy Institute (EDSI) applies an Outcome Assurance Standard that monitors match timelines, medical readiness and surrogate support milestones. This approach maintains consistency across the journey and helps parents move confidently toward embryo transfer and future pregnancy milestones.
What to Expect at Each Stage of Your Surrogacy or Egg Donation Journey
At the Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI), we guide intended parents through every step of the surrogacy and egg donation process including matching, medical coordination with your fertility clinic, and legal parentage support. With decades of experience, our team provides expert matching, personalized support, and coordination of medical and legal services.
From your first consultation to welcoming your baby, we handle each stage with compassion and clarity. You’ll receive guidance, emotional support, and regular updates so you feel confident and informed throughout.
To begin, schedule a free consultation with our team. We’ll answer your questions, explain the process, and help you explore surrogate and egg donor options. If you’re searching for an egg donor, you can register for free to browse our database of fully screened candidates, save preferences, and reserve matches with confidence.
What is the process for intended parents at EDSI
Connect with our experienced team to discuss your goals, ask questions, and learn exactly how the surrogacy or egg donation process works. This first step is about clarity, comfort, and getting to know you.
Using our Matching Compass™, we combine professional insight with your preferences and values to find the right fit. Each match is handled with care, not just data.
Your surrogate undergoes full medical screening at your fertility clinic. This ensures her health and readiness for pregnancy while confirming that the clinic is comfortable moving forward. Medical clearance protects everyone’s interests and sets the stage for embryo transfer.
Our trusted legal partners draft clear and protective agreements for both you and your surrogate. These contracts establish everyone’s rights and responsibilities, ensuring a smooth process with no surprises along the way.
Once legal steps are complete, the medical team prepares for embryo transfer. This includes coordinating medications, monitoring cycles, and planning the timeline with your surrogate so that everyone is ready for a safe and hopeful transfer.
Understanding the financial side of surrogacy helps intended parents feel secure and prepared. Egg Donor and Surrogacy Institute provides clear guidance on expected costs such as surrogate compensation, medical care, insurance, legal work, and agency coordination. Before any payments begin, funds are placed into a secure trust account with SeedTrust escrow or any third party escrow account of your choice. This protects both intended parents and the surrogate by ensuring transparent payments and reliable oversight throughout the entire journey.
Our team reviews your budget with you, explains when each cost occurs, and coordinates with the escrow provider so the process remains organized, safe, and predictable.
From the first heartbeat to delivery day, we help you feel included in every milestone. We coordinate updates, medical visits, and delivery planning so you can share in the journey with confidence.
From the first heartbeat to delivery day, we help you feel included in every milestone. We coordinate updates, medical visits, and delivery planning so you can share in the journey with confidence.
After delivery, we work alongside hospital staff and your legal team to finalize parentage and ensure a smooth transition. Our role is to remove stress so you can focus on the first moments with your baby.
