Does a gestational surrogate mother transfer DNA to the baby?

Gestational surrogacy, in which the surrogate mother, also known as a “gestational carrier,” is not genetically related to the child she is carrying as she does not share DNA with a baby neither during the embryo generation (the surrogate mother’s oocytes are not used to create an embryo) nor during pregnancy, is the most common type of surrogacy nowadays. Furthermore, gestational surrogacy is something most intended mothers turn to if they can produce an egg, because this type of surrogacy enables women to maintain the genetic link to their babies. After the embryo is created, it is transferred to the surrogate mother to carry a pregnancy and give birth.

While gestational surrogacy statistics are difficult to find, 80 to 90% of today’s surrogacy pregnancies are gestational, and 20 to 10% of surrogacy pregnancies are traditional. Data on the number of surrogate newborns is often not publicly available and can only be obtained through surrogacy agencies. Despite the lack of global statistics, gestational surrogacy has helped countless couples and singles become parents.

What Is Gestational Surrogacy?

In gestational surrogacy, the baby is not genetically related to the surrogate mother, who is also referred to as a “gestational carrier” and “birth mother.” Instead of using the surrogate mother’s genetic material (oocytes), the embryo is created via in vitro fertilization (IVF), using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors, and is then transferred to the surrogate mother, who gestates the embryo, with which she has no biological relationship.

This type of surrogacy is also called “host surrogacy” or “full surrogacy.” In most cases, at least one intended parent is genetically related to the child (the intended mother provides her oocytes, or the intended father provides his sperm), and the surrogate mother is not. This makes gestational surrogacy less legally complicated than other types of surrogacy because adoption is not required.

Who can consider gestational surrogacy?

Single potential mothers and fathers;
Couples with ongoing fertility struggles;
Same–sex couples;
Singles and couples who don’t want a genetic link between the surrogate mother and their child;
Anyone who is unable to carry a pregnancy to term safely.

Does A Gestational Carrier Transfer DNA To The Baby?

In gestational surrogacy, there is no way for a surrogate mother to transfer DNA to a baby because the intended mother’s or donor’s egg (containing DNA) is used instead of the gestational surrogate mother’s to create an embryo. The intended mother’s or donor’s egg is fertilized using the intended father’s or donor’s sperm. The egg and sperm each have one-half of a set of chromosomes. When they come together (during fertilization and if fertilization is successful), the egg and sperm give the baby the full set of chromosomes. It means that half the baby’s DNA comes from the mother or egg donor, and half comes from the father or sperm donor.

This complete separation of surrogate mother–baby DNA is vital because it protects everyone involved in the process. It is one of several reasons why most surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics will only provide services for gestational surrogacies.

The Surrogate Mother’s DNA and the Developing Fetus: What You Need to Know.

During pregnancy, the placenta (a temporary multifunctional disk–shaped organ that develops in the uterus and is ultimately responsible for delivering nutrients and oxygen to a fetus) separates the baby’s and the mother’s DNA. When the baby forms in utero, the placenta forms along with it and continues to grow throughout pregnancy to support the baby. The primary purpose of the placenta is to be a key mediator of fetal/maternal interaction. It provides the growing baby with nourishment and sustenance by exchanging oxygen, nutrients, antibodies, hormones, and waste products between the mother and the baby she carries. Moreover, the placenta maintains an immune interface between the mother and the baby. It serves as an immune barrier in fetus protection against invading pathogens. To accomplish these functions, placenta separates the maternal blood from the fetal blood, acting as the placental barrier.

The placenta plays a crucial role in safeguarding the developing fetus by selectively allowing only specific cells and substances to pass through. As a result, the surrogate mother’s DNA remains predominantly on her side of the placenta.

Although the gestational process is remarkable, it is not foolproof. Occasionally, cells can breach the placental barrier, which can affect both the baby and the surrogate mother. However, the number of cells that make it through is typically insignificant and unlikely to have a significant impact on the baby’s genetic makeup, despite carrying the surrogate mother’s genetic material.

What Happens to DNA During Pregnancy? Separating Myth from Reality.

In cases of gestational surrogacy, the baby will have the genetic makeup of the intended parent(s), intended parent and donor (when the donor’s egg or sperm is used), or donors (in case of duo donation: when donated egg and sperm is used to create an embryo). The cells that seep through the placenta from the surrogate mother will not affect that in any way.

However, the surrogate mother’s impact on the baby goes beyond genetics. The baby’s health and nutrition are influenced by the surrogate mother, as well as her stress levels. Even though the surrogate mother does not provide genetic material in gestational surrogacy, she can influence gene expression. Epigenetics studies show that every environment affects gene expression, including the prenatal environment. While the genetic makeup is determined at conception and is not affected by the surrogate mother’s genes, their activation can be impacted. That is why maintaining optimal conditions during pregnancy is crucial, as the prenatal environment can affect the baby’s development.

How Does Gestational Surrogacy Work?

In general, the gestational surrogacy process involves finding a surrogate mother, completing legal contracts, creating the embryo via in vitro fertilization, and transferring the embryo to the surrogate mother.

Hopeful intended parents may find a surrogate mother and pursue an independent surrogacy with a surrogacy lawyer or work with a full–service surrogacy agency to help them find a gestational carrier and organize the whole surrogacy process.

Once a perfect match has been identified, the intended parents and surrogate mother will each work with their lawyer to discuss each party’s legal responsibilities and risks and the surrogate mother’s compensation. If both parties agree to the terms of the contract and each layer has reviewed and approved it, surrogacy contracts are signed, and a fertility clinic will handle the IVF and embryo transfer process. An embryo will be created at the IVF lab and transferred to the surrogate mother using one of the following:

The eggs of the intended mother and sperm of the intended father, in which case both intended parents will be genetically related to their child.
A donated egg fertilized with the intended father’s sperm, in which case the intended father will be genetically related to the child (half the baby’s DNA will come from the egg donor, and half will come from the father).
The intended mother’s egg fertilized with donor sperm, in which case the intended mother will be genetically related to the child (half the baby’s DNA will come from the mother, and half will come from the donor).
A donated embryo will be adopted , or an embryo will be created using donor eggs and donor sperm, in which case the neither intended parent will be genetically related to the child (half the baby’s DNA will come from the egg donor and half will come from the sperm donor).

From there, the surrogate mother will carry the baby as if it were any other pregnancy, and the intended parents will welcome their baby born via the surrogate mother and have full legal custody when the baby is born.

The gestational surrogacy process may vary based on the country’s laws, the intended parents’ case and circumstances, and more

Understanding the Ever–Evolving Laws of Gestational Surrogacy.

The laws surrounding gestational surrogacy can be complicated and are still evolving as the practice is relatively new. It is recommended that both intended parents and surrogate mothers seek legal representation to navigate the process and ensure their rights are protected.

Fortunately, compared to other forms of surrogacy, the legal process for gestational surrogacy is often less complicated, as at least one parent is typically genetically related to the child, simplifying custody issues.

It’s important to note that surrogacy laws vary by country and state, and some jurisdictions may prohibit surrogacy altogether. Therefore, it’s advisable to consult with a surrogacy professional or attorney who can guide you through the surrogacy process and help you understand the applicable gestational surrogacy laws in your state or country, regardless of where you reside.

How Much Does Gestational Surrogacy Cost?

Gestational surrogacy costs depend on many factors, including the destination of the surrogacy process. Surrogacy can be a long, overwhelming, demanding, and expensive process that involves many types of professionals, a multistage IVF cycle including, in some cases, egg or/and sperm donation, hi–tech services, and sometimes sophisticated AI algorithms to create an IVF embryo, and a yearlong commitment from a woman who will be a surrogate mother and will be carrying a baby for another family.

Typical gestational carrier costs can vary widely from $50,000–$250,000, with the average cost of a successful first–attempt GC pregnancy starting at $75,000, including everything from the agency and legal fees to the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process (agency fees, attorney fees, counseling costs, medical expenses, the surrogate mother’s living expenses and compensation.) Many of these expenses are variable; for example, IVF costs may be different depending on whether the intended parents use their gametes or donated egg or sperm from the local or traveling egg donor, whether the intended parents have vitrified embryos or need an IVF cycle, whether preimplantation genetic testing is required and so on; the surrogate mother’s monthly allowance may vary based on where she lives, and attorney fees may differ depending on country/state laws and legal processes.

In addition, insurance may not cover the medical expenses for intended parents and their surrogate mothers (some insurance plans cover only screening expenses, some may cover fertility assessment and egg retrieval, few cover one round of IVF, and a few cover full IVF cycle), and there are fewer financing options available to intended parents than to adoptive families.

It is suggested that intended parents should work closely with their surrogacy professional to determine a more accurate cost of the surrogacy process according to their budget.

Gestational Surrogacy Pros And Cons.

Gestational surrogacy has many benefits for all parties involved that make it unlike any other type of surrogacy—starting from sharing DNA with a baby that is vital for most intended parents and ending with creating a special bond with the surrogate mother — a gorgeous woman who is committed to making the dream of having a baby to come true for those who cannot do it themselves. Although the intended parents choose this type of surrogacy in 90% of all cases, it has some disadvantages worth knowing and considering before making the first step. Below there are some of the most common benefits and challenges of gestational surrogacy.

Pros of Gestational Surrogacy:

Gestational surrogacy allows infertile couples, single parents, and same–sex couples to welcome their newborns via surrogate mothers and make their families complete.
Gestational surrogacy is something most intended mothers turn to if they can produce a healthy egg, as using their own oocytes in embryo generation means sharing DNA with a baby.
Gestational surrogacy allows both or at least one intended parent to have a genetic link to their child.
For singles and couples who don’t want to ask a relative or friend to be their surrogate mother, gestational surrogacy may be a great option.
Gestational surrogacy is a less legally complicated form because the baby is not genetically related to the surrogate mother.

Cons of Gestational Surrogacy:

Gestational surrogacy is generally a legally complex process.
Having a baby via gestational surrogacy is expensive, with the average cost of a successful first–attempt GC pregnancy starting at $60,000 outside the U.S. and $100,000 in the U.S. (including everything from the agency and legal fees to the in vitro fertilization (IVF) and gestational carrier’s monthly allowance and base compensation).
If the intended mother uses her own eggs in surrogacy, she will have to undergo IVF treatment, including comprehensive fertility assessment, screenings, ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and other medical procedures.
Gestational surrogacy requires intended parents to relinquish some control as the surrogate mother carries the pregnancy for them.

Many of the pros and cons of gestational surrogacy apply to other forms of surrogacy too. Prospective intended parents should compare the different types of surrogacy including the benefits and challenges before starting the gestational surrogacy process.

Gestational Surrogacy: Commercial or Altruistic?

Gestational surrogacy can be classified into two categories: commercial and altruistic. Commercial surrogacy is an arrangement in which the surrogate mother receives financial compensation beyond the reimbursement of medical expenses. In contrast, altruistic surrogacy is an arrangement in which the surrogate mother receives no financial compensation or only receives reimbursement for medical expenses.

In some countries, commercial surrogacy is legal and regulated, while in others, it is illegal or heavily restricted. Altruistic surrogacy is typically legal and more common. The decision to choose between commercial or altruistic surrogacy is a personal one that each intended parent must make based on their individual circumstances and preferences.

Wrapping Things Up

While gestational surrogacy can be a long, overwhelming, legally complicated, too expensive, and somewhat challenging process, for many hopeful parents, it is a journey worth every challenge and obstacle.

From the first step of creating the embryos to the moment of the baby’s birth, intended parents can be involved in every aspect of the gestational surrogacy process. They have the opportunity to work closely with their chosen surrogate mother and share in the joys and milestones of pregnancy, from the first ultrasound scan to the first hearing of the baby’s heartbeat and the first baby kick.

Although the legal and financial aspects of gestational surrogacy can be daunting, the end result is the fulfillment of the parents' dream of having a child. The sense of excitement and anticipation that builds throughout the pregnancy, and the joy that comes with holding their baby for the first time, is an experience unlike any other.

Furthermore, gestational surrogacy allows intended parents to have a genetic link to their child, which can be incredibly important for many families. The ability to create embryos using their own genetic material and have them carried by a surrogate mother is a unique opportunity that has helped thousands of couples and singles to realize their dreams of becoming parents.

Despite the challenges and complexities, the rewards of gestational surrogacy are immeasurable, offering a chance for parents to participate in every step of the journey towards building their family and creating precious memories that will last a lifetime.