Every surrogacy journey is unique. Because of this, it is difficult to give an exact timeline for how long it will take intended parents to complete their specific journey. The reality is that unexpected medical, legal, or logistical factors can arise between the moment you sign paperwork with a surrogacy agency and the day you finally bring your baby home.  While some journeys naturally take longer than others, in most cases the full surrogacy process takes approximately 18 to 24 months from medical preparation to returning home with your baby.  This timeline exists because each step builds the medical and legal foundation required for a safe pregnancy and birth.

Below are the key stages of the journey, followed by the most common factors that can influence how long your specific process may take.

Medical and Psychological Readiness

Every surrogacy journey begins with understanding the medical and genetic situation of the intended parents. Before donor selection, embryo creation, or surrogate matching can begin, doctors must confirm it is medically safe to proceed.

At this stage, intended parents typically complete:

  • Fertility evaluation
  • Infectious disease screening
  • Genetic carrier testing
  • Sometimes psychological readiness assessment

If results show areas that need improvement, such as sperm quality, hormone balance, or genetic compatibility, planning doctors may recommend optimization before moving forward. Although this can extend the early phase, it significantly improves the chances of creating healthy embryos and achieving pregnancy.

Treatment Planning and Coordination

  • Once medical readiness is confirmed, treatment planning begins. Medical teams, coordinators, and genetic specialists work together to create a personalized treatment strategy.
  • If sperm collection or freezing is required, it typically happens during this phase. Laboratory timing, medication protocols, and treatment windows must be carefully coordinated because fertility treatment depends heavily on biological timing.
  • If travel is required, consultations and clinic visits are scheduled around medical timelines.

Donor Selection and IVF Planning

  • If donor eggs or sperm are needed, donor selection must be completed before embryo creation can begin.
  • If the IVF clinic already approves a donor, the process may move faster. If you choose a donor unknown to the clinic, additional screening and genetic compatibility testing may be required, which can take several weeks. In cases where genetic testing (such as Carrier Genetic Testing) is required, results may take approximately 35–45 days.
  • Once donor approval is complete, IVF planning begins. IVF requires precise coordination of stimulation cycles, egg retrieval timing, sperm preparation, and laboratory availability.
  • From the medical preparation perspective, IVF planning also includes synchronizing timelines between the donor, laboratory, and medical team.

IVF Preparation and Donor Stimulation Timeline

After the donor is medically cleared and ready to proceed:

  • Donor stimulation usually starts on Day 2 of the menstrual cycle
  • Hormonal stimulation typically lasts around 12–14 days
  • During this time, the donor is monitored regularly through ultrasounds and blood tests

The purpose of stimulation is to help multiple eggs mature at the same time. In a natural cycle, typically only one egg matures, but during IVF stimulation, several eggs can develop simultaneously.

Embryo Creation and PGT-A Testing

  • During IVF, after egg retrieval, mature eggs are fertilized in the laboratory, and embryos develop over several days. Embryologists monitor embryo development closely.
    Embryo development typically takes about 5 days, during which embryos grow from early-stage cells to the blastocyst stage, which is considered optimal for transfer or genetic testing.
  • Many intended parents choose genetic embryo testing (PGT-A), which helps identify embryos with normal chromosomal structure. This can increase implantation success rates and reduce miscarriage risk.
  • PGT-A testing usually requires embryo biopsy on Day 5, and laboratory genetic results typically take about 7–14 days, depending on the laboratory protocol.
  • Once viable embryos are available, the process moves to surrogate matching.

Surrogate Matching and Approval

  • Surrogate matching and approval is a carefully controlled stage of the surrogacy journey that ensures the surrogate is medically healthy, emotionally prepared, and legally eligible before being matched with intended parents. Professional surrogacy programs conduct thorough medical, psychological, and legal screening to protect all parties and support successful pregnancy outcomes.
  • The matching timeline depends on surrogate availability, medical compatibility, and program requirements, but it typically takes several weeks to a few months. Once a surrogate is approved and matched, legal agreements are finalized, and medical preparation for embryo transfer begins.
  • Most programs expect pregnancy to occur within several embryo transfer attempts, and on some occasions, a new surrogate match may be recommended, which can extend the timeline.

Legal Agreements and Transfer Preparation

  • After surrogate matching is completed, legal agreements are prepared. These documents clearly define responsibilities, expectations, and medical decision-making processes for all parties.
  • Once legal agreements are finalized, the surrogate begins medical preparation for embryo transfer. This includes hormone medication, ultrasound monitoring, and blood testing to confirm uterine readiness.

Embryo Transfer and Early Pregnancy Monitoring

  • Embryo transfer is a medical procedure, and preparation for transfer requires careful medical planning. Before transfer, the surrogate undergoes a medical preparation phase that typically lasts around 15–18 days. During this time, hormone therapy and monitoring are used to prepare the uterine lining and ensure optimal conditions for embryo implantation.
  • Even with advanced IVF technology, pregnancy may not occur after the first transfer. This does not mean the treatment was unsuccessful. In donor egg programs where embryos are genetically tested (PGT-A) and a euploid embryo is transferred, cumulative statistics show that up to three transfer attempts are typically sufficient to achieve pregnancy in most cases.
  • After embryo transfer, pregnancy is first confirmed through blood testing. The first pregnancy blood test (beta hCG) is usually performed approximately 9–12 days after transfer. If pregnancy is confirmed, early pregnancy monitoring begins, which includes follow-up blood tests and ultrasound confirmation to monitor pregnancy development.
  • If pregnancy is not confirmed, doctors evaluate the cycle results and recommend the next steps. In many cases, another transfer can be scheduled using remaining embryos, depending on medical recommendations and embryo availability.

Pregnancy Monitoring and Birth Planning

  • Throughout pregnancy, the health of both the surrogate and the baby is closely monitored through scheduled medical consultations, laboratory testing, and ultrasounds. Continuous prenatal care is essential to track fetal growth and development, detect potential complications early, and ensure the pregnancy progresses safely. Regular monitoring also helps manage conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or fetal growth concerns, if they arise.
  • After pregnancy is confirmed, a structured antenatal care plan is followed. This includes first-trimester laboratory testing and early genetic and ultrasound screenings, followed by regular checkups throughout pregnancy to monitor fetal development, heart activity, amniotic fluid levels, and overall maternal health. As pregnancy progresses, additional laboratory tests, glucose testing, infection screening, and specialized ultrasounds are performed based on gestational age and medical recommendations.
  • As the pregnancy advances, medical teams begin coordinating birth planning together with the surrogate and intended parents. Birth planning typically includes discussions about delivery methods, hospital coordination, who will be present at birth, newborn care decisions, and immediate post-birth arrangements. Medical recommendations are always prioritized to ensure the safety of both the surrogate and the baby, while also respecting the preferences of the surrogate and intended parents whenever possible.
  • After delivery, both the surrogate and the baby receive postnatal care and monitoring. The surrogate receives follow-up medical care to support physical recovery and emotional well-being, while the baby’s health, feeding, growth, and development are monitored by pediatric specialists. Proper postnatal care ensures a safe recovery period and supports a smooth transition for both the surrogate and intended parents.

After Birth: Documentation and Returning Home

  • After delivery, medical care focuses on the surrogate’s physical recovery and monitoring the newborn’s health and development. At the same time, documentation and legal processes continue, as surrogacy journeys require collecting and organizing medical, legal, and administrative records throughout the entire program. These documents typically include IVF reports, genetic testing reports (such as PGT-A if performed), embryo transfer records, pregnancy confirmation tests, and pregnancy monitoring reports.
  • For international surrogacy journeys, intended parents must complete additional legal and administrative steps before returning home with their baby. These steps usually include finalizing legal agreements, birth certificate registration, and obtaining travel documents for the newborn. The exact process and timeline depend on the country where the baby is born, as legal frameworks and court procedures differ between countries.
  • In some programs, intended parents are required to be present in the country of birth before delivery to finalize legal paperwork and reconfirm documentation with notaries and legal representatives. In many cases, additional legal documents, such as powers of attorney or court documentation, may also be required depending on local regulations.
  • Depending on the country and legal process, completing documentation and receiving travel clearance for the baby may take several weeks. Proper preparation and coordination with legal and medical teams help ensure a smoother transition and safe return home for the family.

Final Thoughts

Surrogacy is a carefully structured journey built on medical science, legal protection, and precise coordination. While the timeline may seem long, each step exists to maximize safety and success for everyone involved.  With the right medical team, legal support, and coordination, intended parents can move through the process with clarity, preparation, and confidence.