Glossary · Definition · v2026.3
What Is Gestational Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy is the most common form of surrogacy today. The surrogate carries an embryo created through in vitro fertilization and has no genetic connection to the child.
Why it matters
Gestational surrogacy accounts for the vast majority of surrogacy arrangements in the United States. Because the surrogate has no genetic link to the child, the legal framework is clearer and the process is more widely accepted by courts, clinics, and insurance structures.
How it fits into the process
The intended parents or donors provide the egg and sperm. Embryos are created through IVF. One embryo is transferred to the gestational carrier. The carrier provides the pregnancy environment but contributes no DNA to the child.
What people usually misunderstand
The surrogate is not the biological mother. In gestational surrogacy, the embryo is created from the intended parents' gametes or donor gametes. The carrier's role is to carry the pregnancy, not to provide genetic material.
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This content defines terminology for educational orientation. It does not constitute medical advice.