- Genetic relationship: The carrier does not provide the egg.
- Fertilization method: IVF is required.
- Egg source: Intended mother or egg donor.
- Sperm source: Intended father or sperm donor.
- Pregnancy: The carrier receives the embryo and carries the baby.
- Parenthood: Legal parentage depends on the applicable laws.
Read more: Surrogacy process
Gestational Surrogacy vs. Traditional Surrogacy
The main difference is the genetic relationship between the surrogate and the baby.
Gestational Surrogacy
- The carrier does not use her own eggs.
- The embryo is created through IVF.
- Eggs and sperm come from intended parents or donors.
- The carrier has no genetic relationship with the baby.
- Legal requirements vary by country.
Traditional Surrogacy
- The surrogate uses her own egg.
- She is genetically related to the baby.
- Conception may involve artificial insemination.
- IVF is not always required.
- Genetic parentage may create additional legal complications.
Which is more common? Gestational surrogacy is the more common approach in modern surrogacy programs.
Who May Need Gestational Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy may help people who cannot become pregnant or safely carry a pregnancy.
1. Women Without a Functional Uterus
- Born without a uterus.
- Previous hysterectomy.
- Serious uterine abnormalities.
- Medical conditions preventing safe pregnancy.
2. Women With High-Risk Medical Conditions
Some medical conditions make pregnancy dangerous. Examples include certain serious heart or lung diseases.
A medical specialist must assess whether pregnancy is unsafe.
3. Women With Repeated Pregnancy Problems
- Repeated pregnancy loss.
- Severe pregnancy complications.
- Selected cases of repeated IVF failure.
These conditions do not automatically require surrogacy. A fertility evaluation is necessary.
4. Single People and Same-Sex Couples
Single individuals and male same-sex couples may use gestational surrogacy where legally permitted.
Important: Eligibility varies significantly between countries. Iran generally limits its surrogacy programs to eligible married heterosexual couples.
Read more: Surrogacy in Islam
How Does Gestational Surrogacy Work? Step by Step
The gestational surrogacy process includes medical, legal, and pregnancy-related stages.
Step 1: Fertility Consultation
Intended parents meet a fertility specialist to assess their reproductive health and treatment options.
- Review of medical history.
- Infertility diagnosis.
- Ovarian reserve testing, if relevant.
- Sperm analysis, if relevant.
- Review of existing embryos.
- Personalized treatment planning.
Step 2: Finding a Gestational Carrier
A suitable gestational carrier is selected through a screening and matching process.
Screening includes:
- Previous pregnancy history.
- Physical examination.
- Infectious disease testing.
- Uterine health assessment.
- Psychological evaluation.
- Review of available family support.
Step 3: Legal Agreements
The intended parents and carrier arrange legal agreements before embryo transfer.
Important subjects include medical expenses, financial responsibilities, informed consent, and parentage procedures.
Each party should receive independent legal advice.
Step 4: IVF and Embryo Creation
Eggs are retrieved from the intended mother or an egg donor. Sperm comes from the intended father or a sperm donor.
Fertilization occurs in an IVF laboratory.
The resulting embryos are monitored. A suitable embryo is selected for transfer or frozen for future use.
Step 5: Embryo Transfer
The fertility team prepares the carrier’s uterus for embryo implantation.
A selected embryo is transferred into the uterus through a thin catheter.
Important: Single-embryo transfer is strongly recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine to reduce multiple-pregnancy risks.
Step 6: Pregnancy Confirmation and Care
A pregnancy test is performed after embryo transfer. Ultrasound examinations confirm and monitor pregnancy development.
Care includes:
- Prenatal checkups.
- Ultrasound monitoring.
- Pregnancy screening.
- Monitoring for complications.
- Delivery planning.
Step 7: Childbirth and Legal Parenthood
The carrier gives birth at a medical facility.
Required documents may include:
- Birth registration documents.
- Legal parentage documents.
- Newborn travel documents.
- Citizenship or passport paperwork.
Documentation requirements depend on the birth country and intended parents’ nationality.
International parents should confirm the legal process before starting treatment.
Read more: What are drugs that cause infertility in females?
What Are the Requirements for a Gestational Carrier?
Gestational carriers undergo medical and psychological evaluation before treatment.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), preferred characteristics include:
- Age: Legal adulthood, preferably 21 to 45 years.
- Pregnancy history: At least one previous uncomplicated full-term pregnancy.
- Physical health: Suitable medical and obstetric history.
- Psychological health: Appropriate evaluation and counseling.
- Support: A stable and supportive environment.
- Informed consent: Understanding of pregnancy risks and responsibilities.
These are professional recommendations. Specific clinic requirements and legal rules may differ.
What Is the Success Rate of Gestational Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy success rates vary. There is no reliable single percentage for every patient or IVF cycle.
The most important factors include:
1. Age of the Egg Provider
Egg age strongly affects embryo quality and IVF outcomes.
Eggs from younger patients or donors generally have higher reproductive potential.
2. Embryo Quality
Embryo development and quality affect the chances of implantation and pregnancy.
Not every embryo transfer results in pregnancy.
3. Gestational Carrier’s Health
Uterine health, medical history, and pregnancy-related conditions influence treatment safety and outcomes.
4. Fertility Clinic and Laboratory
Embryology procedures, treatment protocols, and clinical expertise also influence results.
5. Previous IVF History
Earlier treatment results may help doctors evaluate the likely outcome of future cycles.
How Should You Compare Surrogacy Success Rates?
Ask the fertility clinic for:
- Live-birth rate: Births resulting in at least one live-born baby.
- Pregnancy rate: Pregnancies achieved after treatment.
- Per-transfer rate: Results for each embryo transfer.
- Cumulative rate: Outcomes across multiple treatment attempts.
- Patient characteristics: Egg age, embryo type, and relevant medical factors.
Note: A positive pregnancy test is not the same as a live birth. Ask for documented clinic data.
How Long Does Gestational Surrogacy Take?
The total timeline depends on medical preparation, surrogate matching, legal requirements, and IVF results.
- Initial evaluation: Medical review and fertility testing.
- Carrier matching: Screening and matching may take several months.
- IVF preparation: Timing depends on embryo availability and treatment needs.
- Embryo transfer: Scheduled after medical preparation.
- Pregnancy: Approximately nine months after successful implantation.
- After birth: Legal documents and international travel arrangements, where required.
Unsuccessful transfers, pregnancy complications, or legal delays can extend the timeline.
Read more: IVF in Iran
What Are the Risks of Gestational Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy involves medical, emotional, financial, and legal risks.
Medical Risks for the Gestational Carrier
- Miscarriage.
- Gestational diabetes.
- High blood pressure or preeclampsia.
- Premature delivery.
- Cesarean delivery complications.
- Bleeding or other pregnancy complications.
Proper screening and prenatal care help manage risks. They cannot eliminate every complication.
Risks for Intended Parents
- Failed embryo implantation.
- Unsuccessful IVF treatment.
- Pregnancy loss.
- Unexpected medical expenses.
- Legal disagreements.
- Delays in obtaining newborn documents.
Emotional and Psychological Risks
The surrogacy process may create emotional pressure for intended parents and gestational carriers.
Psychological counseling and clear communication are important throughout treatment.
Is Gestational Surrogacy Ethical?
Ethical gestational surrogacy requires informed consent, medical safety, and respect for everyone involved.
Important principles include:
- Informed consent: The carrier understands the process and potential risks.
- Voluntary participation: No coercion or exploitation.
- Medical autonomy: The carrier controls decisions about her own medical care.
- Financial transparency: Clear agreements about expenses and compensation.
- Independent advice: Appropriate psychological and legal support.
- Child welfare: Attention to the child’s health, legal identity, and future interests.
Is Gestational Surrogacy Legal in Iran?
Gestational surrogacy is practiced in Iran through assisted reproduction clinics.
However, Iran does not have a dedicated, comprehensive surrogacy law covering every aspect of these arrangements.
The existing legal framework includes assisted reproduction rules, contractual arrangements, and relevant judicial procedures.
Who Is Eligible for Surrogacy in Iran?
Iranian surrogacy programs generally serve:
- Legally married heterosexual couples.
- Couples with a qualifying medical indication.
- Couples meeting clinic screening requirements.
- International couples who satisfy applicable medical and legal conditions.
Single individuals and same-sex couples are generally not eligible for these programs.
Eligibility must be confirmed for each case.
Legal Requirements for International Parents
Before beginning treatment in Iran, check:
- Marriage and identity documents.
- Medical eligibility.
- Surrogacy contract requirements.
- Legal parentage procedures.
- Birth registration.
- Child citizenship and passport rules.
- Travel and exit-document requirements.
Important: A surrogacy agreement valid in one country may not be recognized in another.
Obtain independent legal advice in Iran and your home country before committing to treatment.
When you compare Iran to many other countries, parenting costs a lot less. Some couples use their eggs and sperm, which can bring down the cost of the surrogacy deal to USD 14,000 to USD 16,000. The following price amounts are given:
- Surrogacy with self-eggs and sperm: USD 14,000 to USD 16,000
- Surrogacy with donor eggs: USD 17,000 to USD 18,000
- Surrogacy with donor sperm: USD 15,000 to USD 16,500
- Guaranteed surrogacy: USD 19,000 to USD 20,000.
Read more: In Vitro Maturation in Iran
Legal and Regulatory Framework
Surrogacy is allowed in Iran for both Iranians and people from other countries. There are, however, specific rules and conditions:
- The couple must be married, and the spouse must be of the opposite gender. Single individuals and same-sex couples are not eligible.
- The surrogate mother must have previously given birth to a healthy child, be married, and have her husband’s consent. She must also undergo various health checks and meet specific social, ethical, and psychological criteria.
- The process is supported by religious fatwas, particularly from Iran’s Supreme Leader and Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, although no specific law governs surrogacy. Contracts between the biological parents and the surrogate mother help settle any legal disputes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gestational Surrogacy
Is a Gestational Surrogate Biologically Related to the Baby?
No. A gestational surrogate does not contribute her own egg. The embryo comes from the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm.
What Is the Difference Between IVF and Gestational Surrogacy?
IVF: A fertility treatment that creates embryos outside the body.
Gestational surrogacy: An arrangement where an IVF-created embryo is transferred to another woman who carries the pregnancy.
Can Intended Parents Use Donor Eggs?
Yes. Gestational surrogacy can use donor eggs, donor sperm, or both, subject to applicable medical and legal requirements.
Is Gestational Surrogacy Successful on the First Attempt?
Sometimes. However, success is not guaranteed.
Egg age, embryo quality, fertility history, and clinical factors affect the outcome.
How Many Embryos Are Transferred in Gestational Surrogacy?
Single-embryo transfer is strongly recommended by ASRM. Transferring multiple embryos increases the risk of multiple pregnancy and related complications.
Can a Gestational Surrogate Keep the Baby?
Legal parentage depends on local law and the specific arrangement.
Written agreements do not replace legal parentage procedures. Independent legal advice is essential.
How Long Does Gestational Surrogacy Take?
The timeline includes screening, matching, legal preparation, IVF, pregnancy, and birth documentation.
It often extends beyond one year. Individual circumstances may shorten or lengthen the process.
Is Gestational Surrogacy Painful?
Embryo transfer is generally a brief procedure and often requires no anesthesia.
Hormonal treatment, medical testing, pregnancy, and childbirth may involve discomfort or complications.
Can International Patients Choose Gestational Surrogacy in Iran?
Some international married heterosexual couples may qualify.
Eligibility depends on medical indications, legal requirements, and documentation.
Confirm the rules before making travel or treatment arrangements.
How Much Does Gestational Surrogacy Cost in Iran?
Iran Health Agency advertises standard packages starting at $15,000 and extended programs starting at $20,000.
The final cost depends on treatment requirements and the agreed services.
Is Gestational Surrogacy Right for You?
Gestational surrogacy offers a potential path to parenthood for people unable to carry a pregnancy.
Before choosing this treatment, consider:
- Medical eligibility and fertility history.
- Available eggs, sperm, or embryos.
- Gestational carrier health and screening.
- Realistic IVF success expectations.
- Total treatment costs.
- Legal requirements and parental rights.
The right choice depends on your medical needs, financial circumstances, and legal eligibility.
Considering Gestational Surrogacy in Iran?
Iran Health Agency provides information about available fertility treatment programs and surrogacy services in Iran.
You can request an initial assessment to discuss:
- Your medical eligibility.
- Available fertility treatment options.
- Gestational carrier arrangements.
- Estimated treatment costs.
- Expected treatment timeline.
- Legal and documentation requirements.
Medical and Legal References
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Recommendations for Practices Using Gestational Carriers. 2022.
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Consideration of the Gestational Carrier. Ethics Committee Opinion. 2023.
- Cleveland Clinic. Gestational Surrogacy: Process, Risks and Benefits.
- Archives of Iranian Medicine. Challenges and Prospects for Surrogacy in Iran as a Pioneer Islamic Country in this Field. 2025.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. It does not replace professional medical or legal advice.
Read more: best IVF doctors in the world
IranHealthAgency supports all these processes and gives you affordable options for gestational surrogacy in Iran. We send you two legal contracts: standard and guaranteed surrogacy contracts, which are slightly more expensive.
- Standard Surrogacy Contract: This contract spells out the most important details of your surrogacy plan, ensuring everyone is clear and safe.
- Guaranteed Surrogacy Contract: For a small extra fee, our guaranteed surrogacy contract gives people even more peace of mind. This choice gives you more security and peace of mind about the surrogacy process, protecting your best interests the whole way.
For free consultation and going into more details, please contact us via the link below:
click here: Surrogacy in Iran
