What is traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy?

The traditional surrogacy, which is also known as a straight surrogacy arrangement, the surrogate also becomes an egg provider and the carrier of the pregnancy.

Whereas in gestational surrogacy the surrogate only provides the host environment to the embryo or the pregnancy and is not a gamete provider.

This is the fundamental difference between the two types of surrogacy. At London IVF & Genetic Centre we recommend patients having a gestational surrogacy. If you are considering to go through a traditional (straight) surrogacy, we will be taking you through rigorous assessments. Because as part of the provision of such fertility services we have to ensure the welfare of an unborn child.

When we provide a straight surrogacy arrangement, where the surrogate is also an egg provider, then there is an increased possibility – in comparison to the gestational surrogacy – that the surrogate might not handle with a child at the birth. And if that were to happen this would lead to lots of legal complications that certainly will significantly affect the wealth of the child born following the treatment.

This is the fundamental difference between the two types of surrogacy and where the challenges are, but patients can consider both options.