Gestational surrogacy is the process by which a woman (the surrogate) carries and delivers a baby for another person or couple (the intended parents), where the surrogate is not genetically related to the baby. The embryo is created through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) using either the intended parents' eggs and sperm, or donor eggs and/or donor sperm.
This is the only form of surrogacy Militta works with, and it is the only form permitted in every jurisdiction we serve.
Gestational vs traditional surrogacy
In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is also the egg source — meaning she is the genetic mother of the child. This model is legally complex, ethically contested and banned in most modern jurisdictions.
In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby. The intended parents (or a known donor) provide the genetic material, which is combined in a lab, cultured to a blastocyst-stage embryo, and transferred into the surrogate's uterus. This separation of genetics and gestation is what makes modern surrogacy legally and ethically workable.
Who chooses surrogacy?
Intended parents come to surrogacy from many different circumstances:
- Medical indication: absence of the uterus, recurrent miscarriage, uterine disease, or a serious health condition that makes pregnancy unsafe.
- Same-sex male couples who need both a donor egg and a gestational carrier.
- Single intended fathers.
- Older intended mothers with diminished ovarian reserve, combined with egg donation.
The gestational surrogacy process in outline
- Consultation and eligibility. A reputable agency checks your medical history, marital status (relevant in Ukraine and Georgia), destination fit and budget.
- Egg and sperm source. Own eggs, own sperm, donor eggs and/or donor sperm — in any combination — are used to create embryos.
- IVF. Ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilisation (typically by ICSI), and culture of embryos to blastocyst.
- Optional PGT-A. Genetic testing of embryos for chromosomal abnormalities. Recommended over 35.
- Surrogate matching. A pre-screened surrogate is matched to the program. Medical, psychological and legal clearance.
- Contracts and escrow. Notarised tri-party contract; funds placed into milestone-based escrow.
- Embryo transfer and pregnancy. Typically nine months with weekly updates.
- Birth and parentage. Depending on jurisdiction, intended parents are named on the birth certificate immediately (Ukraine, Georgia), via pre-birth order (surrogacy-friendly US states), or via administrative / judicial registration (Colombia, Mexico).
How long does it take?
Plan 15 to 24 months from the first consultation to bringing your baby home. About 3–6 months for IVF and matching, 9 months of pregnancy, and 1–3 months for post-birth paperwork and embassy procedures.
Where is surrogacy legal?
Surrogacy laws vary dramatically by country. The five destinations Militta serves are all explicitly legal (Ukraine, Georgia, several US states — see Surrogacy in the USA) or court-recognised (Colombia, Mexico).
Why use an agency?
A clinic performs medicine. An agency runs your case — surrogate matching, legal, escrow, paperwork, translations, travel. Going direct to a clinic leaves every non-medical task on you. We wrote about this trade-off in our about page.
Next step
If gestational surrogacy sounds like the right path, the next step is a free consultation. Book a call with Militta →