Every April, National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) invites us to recognize a reality many face in silence: infertility. About one in six people experience some form of infertility, yet it’s rarely talked about openly. NIAW exists to change that by sparking honest conversations and reminding us that there’s no single path to parenthood.
At the International Surrogacy Center, we believe awareness means more than statistics. It means understanding the full spectrum of options, including surrogacy, that are available to people who want to build families.
When Carrying a Pregnancy Isn’t Possible
For some people, infertility isn’t about conception; it’s about the ability to sustain a pregnancy at all. Individuals and couples facing uterine conditions, recurrent pregnancy loss, serious health risks, or those in same-sex partnerships may find that carrying a child simply isn’t on the table. This is where surrogacy steps in.
Gestational surrogacy, the most common form practiced today, allows intended parents to have a biological connection to their child while a surrogate carries the pregnancy. The surrogate has no genetic link to the baby. The embryo is created through IVF using the intended parents’ (or donors’) genetic material. It’s a medical and legal arrangement, yes, but at its core, it’s a deeply human one.
How the Process Actually Works
Surrogacy isn’t a single event; it’s a structured journey with distinct phases, each built on transparency and coordination.
- Matching. The process begins with matching intended parents with a surrogate whose values, expectations, and vision for the journey align. Thorough screenings, including medical, psychological, and background checks, help protect everyone involved.
- Surrogacy Contract. Once a match is confirmed, a legal agreement is drafted. This contract outlines responsibilities, expectations, and protections for both the surrogate and intended parents.
- IVF and Embryo Transfer. Once matched and legally cleared, the medical phase begins. Embryos are created through in vitro fertilization and transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. This phase requires close coordination between fertility specialists and the surrogate’s healthcare team.
- The Pregnancy. Throughout the pregnancy, intended parents stay connected – attending appointments when possible, communicating regularly, and sharing milestones. The level of involvement varies by agreement, but most surrogacy journeys are defined by genuine partnership rather than distance.
More Than a Medical Process
What often goes unspoken in clinical descriptions of surrogacy are the emotions involved with it. Intended parents who have navigated years of fertility treatments, losses, and uncertainty arrive at surrogacy carrying a complicated mix of hope and guardedness. Surrogates, for their part, choose this path with intention, often motivated by a desire to give someone something they cannot give themselves.
The relationship between a surrogate and intended parents isn’t transactional; it’s a shared purpose. Two parties, with different roles, working toward the same outcome: a healthy baby and a family formed. Many surrogates and intended parents describe their bond as one of the most meaningful of their lives, long after the birth.
That hope – the kind that persists after setbacks, that stays through procedures and paperwork and waiting – is what surrogacy embodies. It’s not a workaround. It’s a way forward.
Awareness Means Expanding What We Recognize as Family
National Infertility Awareness Week is a reminder that there’s no single “right” way to become a parent. Families are built in many forms, and every journey is unique. A child born through surrogacy is deeply wanted, and the family around them is created with intention, care, and often a lot of perseverance. Seeing that is what awareness really looks like.
This week, and every week, the International Surrogacy Center supports those still navigating infertility and those exploring what comes next. If surrogacy is part of your story, or something you’re just beginning to consider, our team is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with clarity and confidence. Reach out to start the conversation.