Depending on a lot of different factors, IVF will take weeks and surrogacy will take months.
How Long Does the IVF or Surrogacy Process Take?
It’s one of the most common questions asked by patients, and understandably so. Once people make the decision to build a family, they want to hold their baby as soon as possible, knowing that pregnancy alone takes nine months (and there’s no rushing that).
Whatever fertility treatments you need, that’s necessary added time. And it’s incredibly important that everything is done thoughtfully and no corners are cut. Believe it or not, taking extra steps can help make sure the overall process takes less time.
When to Seek Reproductive Help
If you’re a woman in a heterosexual relationship and have been trying to conceive for six months, it’s time to visit a fertility specialist to talk about next steps. If you are over 35, we recommend seeking a consultation after three months.
There are various reasons you may be having trouble conceiving. For example, one couple fixed the man’s low-sperm-count issue by not using a laptop or putting his cell phone in his pocket anymore. A fertility specialist will, through tests, attempt to identify the issues and outline the best treatment options for you.
If in vitro fertilization (IVF) is determined to be the best option, it will be about a two-week treatment process to create the embryos for freezing, and then a three-week process to prepare the uterus for an embryo transfer a month or more later.
The first step is a series of evaluations and tests to assess the ovaries, pelvic anatomy, and sperm quality and quantity. Like detective work, the fertility specialist will evaluate each variable to see which factors may be interfering with spontaneous conception. Women will have an evaluation of their uterus and fallopian tubes to make sure there are no issues that require surgical repair. Pre-cycle testing includes hormonal evaluation to assess thyroid function and ovarian reserve. Both partners will be screened for sexually transmitted infections, and a semen analysis will be performed. This can all be accomplished in a couple of weeks.
Preparing the Ovaries for Egg Harvesting
Each month the ovaries recruit a group of eggs for potential development. In the natural cycle, only one follicle/egg is ovulated and the others fade away. In an IVF treatment cycle, daily injections of follicle-stimulating hormone are given to push the entire group of follicles to grow to maturity.
After 8–12 days of these fertility drugs, the egg retrieval will usually yield 10 to 20 eggs, though depending on the woman it can be more or less. Even with a healthy woman, only about 75% of the eggs retrieved will be mature enough for insemination.
Once the eggs are retrieved, they will be fertilized and developed into embryos. After 5–7 days of culture, the embryos undergo preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to determine if they contain the correct number of chromosomes. The genetic test results and the embryo grades help guide us toward the best embryo for transfer into the uterus.
Gay Men, Same-Sex Male Couples and Others Using a Surrogate
For people using surrogacy, the timeline is somewhat different.
There can be various reasons to use a surrogate. Gay or single men, as well as same-sex male couples, will need to work with a surrogate to carry the pregnancy. Opposite-sex couples may require surrogacy due to uterine issues, medical contraindications to pregnancy, or other factors interfering with pregnancy.
While the IVF process to reach the embryo implantation stage can take as little as two to three weeks, the surrogacy process, when done right, will take an additional 3 to 12 months—not including the pregnancy. And there are good reasons to not rush it.
5 Steps for Gestational Surrogacy
1. Test and Freeze Sperm
Depending on the results of the tests, some treatments may be needed to improve motility or sperm count. This can happen in parallel with other steps to keep things moving forward.
2. Identify Your Egg Donor
Whether it takes weeks or months to find the right donor, this step shouldn’t be rushed. She provides half of your child’s genetic material, so choose carefully. The donor will go through similar IVF and egg donation tests and procedures including hormone treatment and retrieval.
3. Create and Test the Embryos
Once sperm and eggs are ready, embryos are created and genetically tested. You can pause here if needed while looking for your surrogate.
4. Match with a Surrogate
This could be a friend, family member, or someone you’re matched with through an agency. Wait times can vary widely — from weeks to a year. Concierge surrogacy search firms may help speed up this timeline.
5. Final Legal & Medical Steps
Once matched, both parties must complete legal agreements. After that, the embryo transfer process can begin.
When people finally make the decision to become a parent, it’s hard to wait. But this process is slow and steady — and skipping steps rarely pays off. Whether it’s IVF or surrogacy, patience and thoughtful planning can make all the difference in having the family of your dreams.
Schedule a consultation to speak with a fertility specialist about your options and timeline.
