15 Benefits of Surrogacy
Surrogacy is an extraordinary path to parenthood—one that has helped thousands of people grow their families with the help of generous and compassionate surrogate mothers. Whether you’re exploring surrogacy because of medical necessity, as a same sex female or male couple, or simply because it’s the right choice for your unique situation, there are many reasons people choose surrogacy over other family-building options.
While the surrogacy process can be complex—medically, legally, and emotionally—it also offers a wide range of benefits that are often overlooked. Today, I’m sharing 15 clear benefits of surrogacy to help you better understand why this route can be so deeply rewarding for intended parents.
15 Benefits of Surrogacy
1. Ability to Have a Biological Child
One of the biggest benefits of surrogacy for intended parents is the chance to have a biological child, even when they’re unable to carry a pregnancy themselves. With gestational surrogacy, the embryo is created through vitro fertilization (IVF) using the intended parents' genetic material or donors, making the baby genetically related to one or both parents.
2. Option for Same Sex Couples to Start Families
For same sex female or male couples, surrogacy creates an opportunity to have children who are biologically related to one partner, often using a gestational carrier and a sperm donor and/or egg donor. It offers greater control, flexibility, and connection compared to other family-building options like adoption.
3. Safer Option for Those with Medical Conditions
Many people choose surrogacy because they have a medical condition that makes pregnancy unsafe or impossible. Surrogacy allows these individuals to become parents without compromising their health or well-being.
4. Surrogates Are Carefully Screened
Surrogate mothers go through a comprehensive screening process that includes medical evaluations, psychological testing, and background checks. This helps ensure that the person carrying the pregnancy is physically and emotionally prepared for the journey.
5. Higher Success Rates
Thanks to advancements in IVF and embryo transfer, the success rate of gestational surrogacy is often higher than other fertility options. The ability to test embryos (via PGT-A) before transfer improves implantation rates and reduces the risk of miscarriage.
6. A More Predictable Process Than Adoption
While both surrogacy and adoption are beautiful ways to build a family, the legal and emotional uncertainties of adoption (such as a birth parent changing their mind) can feel unpredictable. In gestational surrogacy, contracts are established upfront, creating a clearer, more secure path to parenthood.
7. Intended Parents Can Be Involved From the Start
From medical procedures to baby showers to delivery day, intended parents often develop a close relationship with their gestational surrogate and are actively involved throughout the surrogate pregnancy. It’s a deeply collaborative and intimate experience.
8. Opens Doors for Single Parents
Surrogacy is an excellent option for single men or women who want to have children but can't or don’t want to carry a pregnancy themselves. With the right team and resources, single parenting via surrogacy is increasingly common and celebrated.
9. Legal Protections Are Stronger Than Ever
Thanks to evolving laws in many parts of the U.S. and abroad, intended parents have stronger legal rights in surrogacy than ever before. In most gestational surrogacy arrangements, legal parentage is clearly outlined in pre-birth or post-birth orders, ensuring clarity for all involved.
10. Bypasses Infertility Challenges
For couples who have struggled with infertility, surrogacy can offer renewed hope. It allows them to move forward with a family-building solution that still includes a biological connection.
11. A Solution When Other Treatments Have Failed
Sometimes, people reach surrogacy after years of trying different fertility treatments. Surrogacy provides a new path forward when other interventions (such as multiple IVF cycles or IUI attempts) have not led to pregnancy.
12. Positive Psychological Benefits
Knowing that someone is willing to carry a baby on your behalf can be an incredibly affirming and healing experience. Many intended parents report a stronger sense of peace and relief once they've begun the surrogacy process, especially compared to the uncertainty and disappointment of prolonged infertility.
13. Opportunity to Form Lasting Relationships
Many surrogates and intended parents develop lifelong friendships. The bond formed during a surrogate pregnancy is unique and profound, often extending far beyond the birth. For some, the surrogate becomes like extended family.
14. More Control Over the Prenatal Environment
With gestational surrogacy, intended parents often have a say in key prenatal decisions, from nutrition and supplements to birth plans. This level of involvement is one reason some families prefer surrogacy over working with adoption agencies.
15. The Joy of Shared Parenthood
Finally, one of the biggest pros of surrogacy is that it allows both parents—regardless of gender or relationship status—to be equally involved. Whether you’re a same sex couple, a single parent, or someone who’s endured years of fertility treatments, surrogacy offers a collaborative and affirming way to experience parenthood together.
Surrogacy may not be the right path for everyone, and there are certainly surrogacy pros and cons to weigh before making a decision. But for many intended parents, the benefits of surrogacy far outweigh the challenges. If you're still figuring out how to approach the surrogacy process, check out this helpful guide to getting started.
And if you’re wondering: “how long does the surrogacy process take?”, I’ve broken that down in detail right here.
Every family is different, and every journey is unique. But one thing’s for sure: gestational surrogacy continues to provide a deeply empowering way for people to build the families they’ve always dreamed of.
