Fertility Treatments
Surrogacy
A trusted path for same-sex couples, solo parents and women unable to carry a pregnancy.
4.5
What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is when someone, known as a surrogate, carries a baby for intended parents who are unable to carry a pregnancy themselves. Intended parents may be heterosexual or same-sex couples or single people.
Some surrogates are family members or friends, while others are introduced through surrogacy support organisations.
At London Women’s Clinic, we are proud to support surrogacy as a way of building families. We’ve developed a comprehensive surrogacy pathway to guide patients through every step - from medical care to counselling and legal support.
Host surrogacy, also known as gestational surrogacy, is the most common form of surrogacy. In this process, embryos are created in the laboratory using eggs and sperm from the intended parents or donors.
The treatment involves two key medical steps:
- IVF (in vitro fertilisation): eggs are fertilised with sperm in the lab to create embryos.
- Embryo transfer: one of these embryos is then placed into the surrogate’s uterus to begin the pregnancy.
This means that the surrogate has no genetic link to the baby — she is carrying the pregnancy, but the biological connection comes from the intended parents and/or donors.
Who is surrogacy suitable for?
Surrogacy may be the right choice if:
- Pregnancy is medically unsafe or not possible
- You are a same-sex male couple or a single man seeking fatherhood
- Previous fertility treatments have not been successful
How does surrogacy work?
Many intended parents may ask a family member or friend to become a surrogate, as there is already trust and an established relationship. If this isn’t an option, intended parents will need to find a surrogate independently. We have a long history of working with leading surrogacy agencies, lawyers and researchers, giving intended parents confidence and expert guidance throughout the journey.
Once you have found your surrogate and are ready to proceed, the process typically includes:
Step 1
Including blood tests and medical assessment
Step 2
For all parties to provide emotional support and guidance
Step 3
Around UK surrogacy laws and regulations, both before and after the birth
No matter which route you choose, it is crucial to understand the process, as surrogacy is complex and involves many legal and emotional considerations.
Anthony & Duncan's Story
Surrogacy, Donor Eggs and the Family They Always Dreamed Of
When Anthony and Duncan decided to start a family, they knew the path would be extraordinary. With their close friend stepping forward as their surrogate, and donor eggs from London Egg Bank, our Harley Street team helped them navigate every step of the surrogacy process with expertise, care and compassion.
Today, they are proud parents to their daughter Polly - proof that with the right support, the family you've always hoped for is possible.
Watch their story.
Legal guidance and surrogacy agreements
Surrogacy involves important legal considerations, from understanding parental rights to creating formal surrogacy agreements. We want to ensure potential patients are fully aware of the legal aspects before embarking on this journey.
We strongly recommend obtaining a legal agreement with the assistance of a qualified surrogacy lawyer, outlining expectations and responsibilities to meet UK law requirements.
While surrogacy is sometimes portrayed negatively in the media, particularly around delays in the granting of parental orders, our experience has been entirely positive.
To date, every case we have supported has successfully obtained a parental order.
This reflects the strength of our legal partnerships and careful adherence to UK surrogacy law.
Our Surrogacy Success in Numbers
Over 200 families supported through surrogacy journeys
We have guided over 200 families through their surrogacy journeys, helping them take important steps toward growing their families.
Key insights
- Some surrogates have supported more than one intended parent or couple
- One surrogate has welcomed a baby for three different families
- Around 50% of surrogacy cycles involve same-sex male parents
- Many patients use donor eggs sourced through our licensed egg bank, enabling a seamless single-centre pathway
Thanks to the generosity and dedication of our surrogates, this past year:
Surrogacy at London Women’s Clinic is supported by a highly coordinated clinical and legal framework, designed to provide continuity of care throughout the entire journey.
This approach has been highlighted in the largest UK study on surrogacy outcomes conducted by Professor Kirsty Horsey.*
Want to learn more? You can explore our success rates page to see the latest outcomes.
Our trusted partners
We’ve designed one of the few dedicated surrogacy pathways in the UK. While we don’t directly match parents with surrogates, we work closely with experienced agencies - such as Beautiful Beginnings and others - to make the process smoother and more supportive. These agencies handle matching and legal arrangements, while we focus on delivering the highest standards of medical care in a caring and reassuring environment.
Alongside these trusted agencies, our partner clinics - London Egg Bank and London Sperm Bank - ensure personalised care can be seamlessly incorporated into your plan.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost?
The cost of surrogacy depends on whether you’re using your own eggs and sperm or working with a known egg donor. Treatment plans also vary depending on the surrogate’s needs and any additional procedures recommended by your consultant.
Semen Analysis £350.00
Sperm Freezing (for commissioning father) £475.00
Pre-Treatment Investigations for Surrogate From £500.00
Included in the fee:
- Monitoring scans, clinical advice, single egg collection
- Preparation and culture of eggs and sperm
- One Fresh Embryo transfer
- One βhCG pregnancy blood test, one viability pregnancy scan or review consultation in the event of a negative outcome
- Embryo Glue
In addition to your main procedure fee, there are some additional costs you will need to be aware of when planning your treatment. Additonal costs may include:
- Medication
- Sedation
- Monitoring blood tests
- HFEA licence fees
- ICSI
- Extended embryo culture to blastocyst stage and time lapse monitoring
- Embryo freezing
- Embryo storage
Exact costs will be discussed after your consultation and once a treatment plan has been confirmed for you. For Single Cycle IVF the average total treatment cost is £9,140 - £10,640
Included in the fee:
- Monitoring scans, clinical advice
- Preparation and culture of eggs and sperm
- ICSI
- Extended embryo culture to blastocyst stage and time lapse monitoring
- EmbryoGlue
- One embryo transfer
- Embryo cryopreservation (if applicable)
- One βhCG pregnancy blood test, one viability pregnancy scan or review consultation in the event of a negative outcome
In addition to your main procedure fee, there are some additional costs you will need to be aware of when planning your treatment. Additonal costs may include:
- Medication
- Monitoring blood tests
- HFEA licence fees
- Embryo storage
The average total treatment cost when using 6 donor eggs is £13,835.
Included in the fee:
- Clinical advice, monitoring scans
- Embryo thaw, EmbryoGlue
- Embryo transfer
- One βhCG pregnancy blood test, one viability pregnancy scan or review consultation in the event of a negative outcome
In addition to your main procedure fee, there are some additional costs you will need to be aware of when planning your treatment. Additonal costs may include:
- Medication
- Monitoring blood tests
- HFEA licence fees
Exact costs will be discussed after your consultation and once a treatment plan has been confirmed for you. For Frozen Embryo Transfer the average total treatment cost is £3,210 - £3,610
Optional additional services (e.g. ICSI, PICSI, PGT-A, embryo thawing, genetic counselling, medication for donor and surrogate) will be discussed with your consultant as part of your personalised treatment plan.
‘We started our IVF process with LWC around a year ago. It felt very daunting and a long road ahead, and the entire team were so supportive and explained everything so clearly. When we were undergoing the egg retreival and transfer, the team were so kind and we felt really looked after. We have now welcomed our little girl and after years of trying, we wouldn't have gotten here without the support and guidance given by LWC. Thank you all!’
Alice Maker
22 January 2026, LWC London Bridge
‘Dr Suraya made our appointment a really enjoyable experience. She made us both feel at ease and was so knowledgeable throughout the scan. Dr Suraya is a real asset to LWC’
Liz Troup
22 January 2026, LWC London Bridge
‘I received excellent care from all the staff at London Women's Clinic, we felt very welcomed as a same sex couple. We are so grateful to have been able to have our wonderful daughter. I would definitely recommend the clinic to anyone starting fertility treatment!’
Megan Knox
21 January 2026, LWC Canterbury
‘I've recently completed a round of egg freezing with London Women's Clinic harrow and I couldn't recommend them as a clinic more. Carla and Ana-Maria quite literally held my hand throughout the entire process, making me feel really relaxed and supported. It's made such a stressful experience super positive and if anyone is thinking of using them, I'd absolutely recommend them!’
Brooke Day
19 January 2026, LWC Harrow
‘I undertook Kind IVF, which even though is nurse led as opposed to consultant led, the care, professionalism and knowledge is there. The nurses consult with consultants during your protocol, so the difference really is you see the nurses instead. The medication doses are less and less medication, but this doesn't mean it will be less effective, it is an option worth exploring, as the cost is less and can open the door when more traditional ivf is out of reach. I am currently pregnant having gone through the kind ivf protocol one time.’
APINTOF MEGAN
19 January 2026, LWC London Bridge
‘Exceptional service from start to finish. Highly recommend Harley street team for looking after us. Absolutely loved your service and care. Thank you London woman's clinic :)’
Anh Nguyen
19 January 2026, LWC Harley Street
‘The team at the Cambridge LWC branch have been incredibly supportive, encouraging and helpful throughout our journey, and have been with us through the ups and downs. It's a very safe and inclusive space, and we feel very well cared for. We can't recommend them enough! Sarah and Jacqui’
Sarah Peace
16 January 2026, LWC Cambridge
‘We will be forever grateful to London Women's Clinic Bromley for helping us achieve what once felt impossible -- welcoming our beautiful, healthy baby boy in November 2025. Our IVF journey was emotional, overwhelming at times, and deeply personal, but from the very first appointment we were met with nothing but kindness, compassion, and unwavering support. Every step was clearly explained, we were kept fully informed throughout, and there was always someone available to answer our questions or simply reassure us when we needed it most. We never once felt like just another patient -- we felt truly cared for. Dr Malini, Sarah, Nicky (Nikita) and Dom were exceptional and will always hold a very special place in our hearts. Their warmth, patience, and genuine kindness made the process so much easier to cope with. They made us feel safe, comfortable, and supported during some of the most vulnerable moments of our lives. Every nurse, embryologist, and member of staff we encountered was wonderful. We honestly cannot recommend London Women's Clinic Bromley enough to anyone struggling with fertility or facing similar challenges. The dedication, empathy, and expertise of this team has changed our lives forever. We hope to take the clinic up on their offer to visit with our little miracle, who we are endlessly thankful they helped bring into this world. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Lucy & Sayed ’
Lucy morgan
16 January 2026, LWC Bromley
‘My journey with egg freezing in the LWC has been amazing. I had started consultations with another provider before but didn't feel comfortable there, and I'm SO GLAD I listened to my instinct and went to this clinic! The whole team was so knowledgeable and supportive throughout, but also just lovely. I would recommend the clinic, ESPECIALLY if you are worried about the process and feel emotional, the understanding and support here is way beyond what I was hoping for!!!’
Charlotte M
15 January 2026, LWC London Bridge
‘My journey with the LWC in London Bridge + Harley Street has been outstanding. The team is so lovely, I felt welcomed and understood from the first to the last call and through every appointment in between. I would recommend it to every friend!’
Charlotte M
15 January 2026, LWC Harley Street
‘Nicki has a beautiful and excellent personality, she was so kind, polite and sweet. I felt so happy after the scan . Bless her. Right woman for the job.’
Steave Oyinloye
15 January 2026, LWC Bromley
‘Nikita was fab - really put me at ease with my scan and able to relax. Feel very supported’
S S
15 January 2026, LWC Bromley
‘Just had my scan with Nikki and she was very informative and made me feel very comfortable.’
Lisa
15 January 2026, LWC Bromley
‘Nikita was excellent and mindful during our initial scan/consultation explained everything well.’
james harris
15 January 2026, LWC Bromley
‘Myself and partner have had a lovely experience with LWC Canterbury they are thoughtful and caring. Always made us feel comfort and welcome even through the difficulties that we have faced on our journey, however we will be forever grateful for all they have done and are contiuing to do.’
Natasha Elliott
14 January 2026, LWC Canterbury
‘This was my first fertility treatment, and I cannot express enough how thankful I am to have chosen LWC and to have been treated at the Harrow clinic. I would highly recommend it to anyone considering starting their fertility journey! From the start, I appreciated how transparent the admin team was about all the costs involved at every stage, giving clear ranges when the decision depended on how the treatment would go. I am also extremely grateful for their support in helping with securing financing, even when I decided to move forward at short notice. They took the time to schedule calls to answer my questions, and I truly felt listened to and cared for as a patient. At the Harrow clinic, I experienced an exceptionally caring and positive environment. All the nurses were highly professional while also being incredibly comforting and supportive. I would especially like to thank Ana Maria, who was there throughout the process, offering practical advice based on her own experience, a hug when needed, and making the entire journey feel much more like home. I would also like to thank Carla for her positivity, high energy, and encouragement during difficult moments, and Laura for her empowering and reassuring approach to the injections. Dr Goswami was also outstanding--extremely professional and clear in her advice. She carefully adjusted the treatment to aim for the best possible outcome while prioritising safety and minimising risks. I am also very grateful for the support groups organised by the clinic. Through these, I met incredibly brave and empowered women and couples. Sharing this journey with some of them made the experience far more bearable and positive. Thank you to everyone at the Harrow clinic and LWC for your incredible support!!’
Marina Riabiz
14 January 2026, LWC Harrow
‘We had a very positive experience at this IVF clinic and would highly recommend it. From the very beginning, we felt well supported and looked after throughout the entire journey. A special thank you to Safak, our patient coordinator, who was incredibly helpful and always very quick to respond. We would also like to thank Princess, the receptionist, as well as the Italian receptionist whose name we unfortunately don't remember, for always being kind and welcoming. We are extremely grateful to Dr Suraya, who performed many of our scans and was exceptional throughout the process, and to Dr Rao, who followed our journey step by step with great care, professionalism and attention. Finally, a big thank you to all the nurses, especially Hannah,Ella and Paige, for their support, kindness and professionalism. Overall, we felt very well cared for and supported, and we truly recommend this clinic to anyone considering IVF!’
Alicia Gioia
12 January 2026, LWC London Bridge
‘The reception staff are amazing nothing is to much trouble. Always answered any queries we had. The whole team were brilliant from our first initial appointment too our very last. They made us feel so comfortable.’
Rachel Powell
12 January 2026, LWC Bristol
‘We don't know where to begin, this place truly is wonderful. So so comforting and welcoming. Every single staff member went above and beyond and really felt like family. We couldn't be more appreciative of everyone who helped us on our way to creat our little one, who is cooking away nicely at 20 weeks. From choosing a sperm donor to my egg collection and then to getting my wife pregnant with the embryos a few months later, it was so stress free and we felt supported every single step of the way. We can't thank all the lovely wonderful ladies at the Brentwood clinic enough for what they have helped us achieve- and of course the amazing people at the Harley street clinic for doing the procedures who were just as welcoming! Thank you all so so much, we can't wait to bring our little man to meet you all when we are ready to try for baby number 2 xxxxx’
molly bannister
9 January 2026, LWC Brentwood
‘Following a seminar I attended at LWC, I arranged a consultation with Dr. Naware who specialises in fertility for women over 40. It was a refreshing experience. Dr. Naware is empathetic, kind and thorough. The follow up from the clinic was excellent, with Safak, Patient Coordinator, providing regular updates.’
A Patel
9 January 2026, LWC London Bridge
4.5
FAQs about Surrogacy
Success in surrogacy depends on several factors, including the surrogate’s ability to carry a pregnancy and the quality of the eggs and sperm being used. The journey begins with an initial consultation at your chosen London Women’s Clinic for both the intended parents and the surrogate, where medical histories are reviewed and any further tests arranged. From there, a fertility specialist will guide you through the treatment options and discuss the success rates most relevant to your individual situation.
Yes, age can play an important role, especially if the surrogate is using her own eggs. In this case, extra tests may be needed to check her egg reserve and a fertility specialist will guide you on what success rates to expect. As with all fertility treatments, egg quality tends to decline with age, particularly after 35. For context, the average age of our surrogates is 34.8, closely aligning with the HFEA’s 2022 report, which found the average age of surrogates in the UK to be 34. Whatever your circumstances, we’ll help you understand your options and support you in making the best decisions for your journey.
We cannot directly find a surrogate for you; we can connect you with trusted UK surrogacy agencies who specialise in guiding intended parents through the process. Some people choose a family member or friend as their surrogate, as this can bring an added level of trust and comfort. If that’s not possible, agencies can help you find the right match and support you with the legal steps involved. However you choose to move forward, we’ll be here to support you, as surrogacy can be a complex journey with important legal considerations.
There are two types of surrogacy available. In host (gestational) surrogacy, the intended parents provide an embryo created through IVF, using either the female partner’s eggs, donor eggs, or (less commonly) the surrogate’s own eggs, which is then transferred to the surrogate for pregnancy and delivery. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate provides her own egg, which is fertilised via intrauterine insemination, making her the genetic mother.
WHY choose LONDON WOMEN'S CLINIC?
The journey to parenthood is deeply personal, and for many individuals and couples, surrogacy provides a remarkable and meaningful way to build a family. Since the first baby born through surrogacy in 1985, the process has evolved significantly thanks to medical progress and the efforts of those advocating for clarity, safety and support for everyone involved.
At London Women's Clinic, we are proud to be one of the UK’s leading centres for surrogacy, with decades of experience helping families of all kinds begin their journey. Choosing LWC means partnering with a team that offers:
Ready to begin your surrogacy journey?
The first step is a fertility health assessment. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward building your family.
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Surrogacy Stories, Advice and Research
Explore expert insights, personal stories and the latest research to guide you through every step of your surrogacy journey.
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