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Difference Between Surrogacy and IVF: A Complete Guide for Couples

Dr. Pujil Gulati, IVF Specialist with over 13 years of experience in Assisted Reproductive Techniques BabyBloom IVF Gurgaon

May 7, 2025

🩺 Introduction: Choosing the Right Path to Parenthood

Becoming parents can be a dream come true. But for some couples, the journey is not easy. Medical help like IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and surrogacy can make it possible. Both are helpful, but they are not the same.

In this guide, we will explain in very simple words the difference between surrogacy and IVF, their benefits, how they work, and which option may be best for you.

🤰 What is IVF?

IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilization. It means fertilizing the egg and sperm outside the body — in a lab. Once the embryo forms, it is put back into the woman’s uterus.

✅ IVF is useful for:

Women with blocked fallopian tubes
Men with low sperm count
Couples who can’t conceive naturally
Women with PCOS or hormonal problems

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👩‍🍼 What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is when another woman carries a baby for a couple. The couple provides the egg and sperm (or donor eggs/sperm), and the embryo is placed into the surrogate’s womb.

There are two main types:

Gestational Surrogacy: Egg and sperm from parents. Surrogate just carries the baby.
Traditional Surrogacy: Surrogate’s egg is used, so she is biologically connected.

✅ Surrogacy is useful for: Read More:- Surrogacy Meaning in Hindi- सरोगेसी अर्थ, प्रक्रिया और कानून

Women without a uterus
Women with health issues or repeated miscarriages
Same-sex male couples

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⚖️ IVF vs Surrogacy: The Main Differences

Feature	IVF	Surrogacy
Baby grows in	Biological mother	Surrogate mother
Use of surrogate	No	Yes
For whom	Women with fertility problems	Women who cannot carry a baby
Cost	Lower (usually)	Higher (due to surrogate fees)
Success rate	35-55% per cycle (varies)	Often higher due to healthy womb
Legal steps	Minimal	More legal paperwork needed

💰 Cost Comparison: IVF vs Surrogacy in India

🧪 IVF Cost (per cycle):

₹1.2 to ₹2.5 lakh (depending on clinic and location)

🤱 Surrogacy Cost:

₹12 to ₹20 lakh (includes medical, legal, surrogate fee, etc.)

Surrogacy is more expensive but may be the only choice for some couples.

✅ Success Rate: IVF vs Surrogacy

IVF Success Rate:

30% to 55% (depends on woman’s age, egg quality, etc.)

Surrogacy Success Rate:

60% to 75% (because surrogate is usually healthy and young) difference between surrogacy and IVF

Which is Right for You?

Choose IVF if:

You can carry the baby
You want a biological child
Your health allows pregnancy

Choose Surrogacy if:

You can’t carry the baby
You had repeated IVF failures or miscarriages
You have medical risks like heart disease, no uterus, or cancer treatment history difference between surrogacy and IVF

Real-Life Example (Simplified):

Example 1 – IVF:

Neha (30) had blocked tubes. She did IVF with her husband’s sperm. The embryo was placed in her uterus, and she gave birth to a healthy baby.

Example 2 – Surrogacy:

Pooja had no uterus due to a surgery. She used her own egg and her husband’s sperm. The embryo was put in a surrogate’s womb. The baby is 100% biologically theirs.

Legal Note (India 2023–25)

In India, only altruistic surrogacy is legal (no money for the surrogate, only medical cost covered). Also, surrogacy is allowed only for married Indian couples with medical proof of need.

📌 Pros & Cons at a Glance

IVF Pros:

Lower cost
Less legal work
Mother carries her own baby

IVF Cons:

Not for women with serious health problems
May need multiple cycles

Surrogacy Pros:

Good for high-risk or uterus-absent women
Higher success in some cases

Surrogacy Cons:

Costly
Legal steps needed
Emotional distance for some couples

❓ FAQs

Q1. Is IVF painful?

It may involve some discomfort during egg collection, but it is mostly safe and painless with modern care.

Q2. Can we choose surrogacy directly without trying IVF?

In India, you must prove you can’t carry a baby due to a medical condition to go for surrogacy legally.

Q3. Is the baby in surrogacy biologically mine?

Yes, in gestational surrogacy, the baby is 100% yours if your egg and sperm are used.

Q4. Can IVF turn into surrogacy later?

Yes. If IVF fails and the woman can’t carry, doctors may suggest surrogacy.

✅ Final Thoughts

Both IVF and surrogacy are beautiful paths to parenthood. The best choice depends on your body, health, emotions, and budget. Consult a fertility expert, understand your options, and take your time to decide. Your dream of holding your baby is possible — just choose the right way for you. ❤️ OR If you need any information related to IVF, contact our Babybloom IVF Centre or call us at 9266046700 to clear your doubt🌸