With advancements in reproductive medicine, surrogacy is becoming an increasingly accessible fertility treatment for those who otherwise could not carry a pregnancy. This includes same-sex male couples, many queer or transgender people, and those who may have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss or failed IVF cycles to start their families.
Here at Manchester Fertility, Surrogacy is available to everyone, regardless of gender, relationship status or sexual orientation. We believe that surrogacy with the right balance of compassion, medical advice, and legal guidance surrogacy can be a straightforward and fulfilling process. You may consider surrogacy if:
If you're ready to start your surrogacy journey or you'd like more information on the treatment process or cost, contact the clinic by phone, request a callback or book a free no obligation 1-2-1 with a New Patient Coordinator today.
HFEA, the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority, define surrogacy as either Full Surrogacy or Partial Surrogacy. We offer both Full Surrogacy and Partial Surrogacy at Manchester Fertility, depending on your circumstance, you may choose either for your treatment plan.
Full Surrogacy, also known as Gestational Surrogacy, is when the eggs from an intended parent or a donor are used to make embryos for the surrogacy treatment. There is therefore no genetic connection between the baby and the surrogate.
Partial Surrogacy, or Traditional Surrogacy, involves an egg from the chosen surrogate being fertilised using sperm from an intended parent of the baby. In this case, there would be a genetic connection between the surrogate and your baby.
We want you to feel supported throughout every step of your journey with us. If you have decided surrogacy is the right path for you, we'll ask that you attend a consultation at our state-or-the-art clinic so we can discuss the medical, legal and emotional implications of your choice - and offer any advice we can to help you begin your journey.
Our patients are in a fortunate position at Manchester Fertility, as we offer access to both donor eggs and sperm through our partner clinics Manchester Donors and Semovo. If you require either for your surrogacy we will be able to help you arrange this.
In the case of Partial Surrogacy, the egg used for treatment will be given by your surrogate.
Choosing a surrogate is a deeply personal and important part of your journey to starting a family. You may have a personal connection to your surrogate, or instead source yours through a reputable network. No matter your choice, we'll support you with advice and expert knowledge so you can make the best choice for your future family.
At this stage we'll also recommend you take the time getting to know your surrogate, seeing if they're the right fit for you and ironing out any of the legal details.
Your surrogate, an intended parent or an egg donor will be given medication to help develop their eggs and will undergo an egg retrieval procedure. Frozen eggs from a donor can also be used.
The eggs are then fertilised in the laboratory to create an embryo, which will be transferred to the surrogate.
After approximately nine months your surrogate will help you welcome your child into the world. Most intended parents join the surrogate at the hospital for the birth.
After the baby is born and the surrogate is discharged from the hospital, you and your surrogate can all return home, you with your new baby and the surrogate with the satisfaction of giving the selfless gift of parenthood to someone else.
When your baby is born you will need to apply for a parental order to transfer legal parenthood from the surrogate to the intended parents or IP(s). This can only be done with the surrogate's consent. However with the right legal advice and preperation this can be a very straight forward process. The parental order process takes place after birth and involves the family court, and a court-appointed social worker.
Some patients join us from a place of great excitement, with this being their first attempt at conception. Others may have had a difficult journey on their journey to surrogacy. To ensure we’re giving every patient, regardless of their experiences, the best quality of care we can provide we established our specialist surrogacy team. The team is made up of staff members who have in the past not only gone above and beyond for patients, but also have the expert knowledge and experience needed to guide patients through the surrogacy process.
It is not unusual for a family member or close friend to act as a surrogate. However, some patients prefer to choose their surrogate from a recognised surrogacy partner for their treatment.
We understand that finding a surrogate is a deeply personal choice and although we can't make the decision for you, as a specialist fertility clinic, we have compiled all the resources you will need to help you in your search.
There are a number of UK based organisations that can provide support to those on their journey through surrogacy and help you source the right surrogate for your treatment, we would recommend:
A person must meet a few requirements before they can become a surrogate. This is to ensure that your child, and the surrogate, are at no risk during the pregnancy. These criteria are:
The surrogacy networks we work with, and recommend, ensure the surrogates they work with meet all of these criteria in advance.
When looking for a surrogate, you’ll want to make sure they are able to have a safe, healthy pregnancy and birth. You’ll also want someone you can build a close, trusting relationship with. It’s really important that you’re clear about how things will work in the future.
This is where legal advice and guidance can really help. Legal advice can be invaluable when reaching an agreement with your surrogate and when obtaining your parental order after your baby is born.
Useful Resources for Intended Parents:
Throughout the surrogacy process there are a few processess that you will need legal advice and guidance for, such as:
Surrogacy can feel like a complex process, that's why we've put together our Surrogacy FAQs to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have in the early stages of your surrogacy journey.
At Manchester Fertility, we predominantly use IVF and ICSI to help your surrogate get pregnant regardless of whether a patient has chosen the Full Surrogacy or Partial Surrogacy pathway. This is because we believe it ensures the highest possible chances of success for your treatment.
If you have any concerns about the treatment process, our expert team is always ready to offer their support and answer any questions. Contact the clinic directly via your patient app or on 0161 300 2730.
A parental order is necessary to become the legal parent of a surrogate-born child in the UK. There are a few conditions that an intended parent must meet to apply for a parental order. These are:
HFEA, the Human Fertilisation & Embryo Authority, advises that you cannot pay a surrogate in the UK. However, you are responsible for reimbursing any reasonable expenses that the surrogate incurs, such as maternity clothes, travel expenses and loss of earnings.
Surrogacy can be a long process, and it is important to be realistic and take the time you need at each stage. Generally, you can expect a surrogacy journey to take at least 18-24 months. Still, depending on the surrogacy destination you choose and how your personal journey progresses, it could take double that.
If you use donor eggs or sperm from a Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) licensed clinic, your donor will not:
If you source donor eggs for your surrogacy treatment, it will be the surrogate, not the donor, who is considered your child's legal parent until your parental order is processed. Visit the HFEA websitefor more information.
Yes, surrogacy is legal in the UK, but if you make a surrogacy agreement, it cannot be enforced by the law. You can find more information on the legal implications of having a child via surrogacy and advice for intended parents on the GOV.UK website.
Due to current UK law, the surrogate is automatically regarded as the child's legal parent, even if they are not genetically related.
However, you should still be treated as the child's caregiver and be expected to care for your child from birth. Once your parental order application is approved, legal parenthood will be transferred from the surrogate to you.
Yes, same-sex couples and single individuals can use surrogacy to have a child. However, to apply for a parental order within the UK, a process required to transfer legal parenthood from the surrogate to the intended parent(s), the intended parent(s) must have a genetic link to the surrogate-born child.
Here at Manchester Fertility we're proud of the work we do. We're pioneering putting patients first, ensuring you receive the very best care no matter your background, religion or sexual orientation. Learn more about our work with LGBTQ+ community on our blog.
If you still feel you need more guidance and support, you can book a FREE 1-2-1 discovery meeting to talk through the options available to you.
