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Language

Glossary

Short, plain-language meanings for words you may see along the way. Definitions are simplified and may vary by country, clinic, or legal context. This glossary is for general understanding only. Nothing here is medical or legal advice.

People and roles

Agency (surrogacy agency)

A company that coordinates parts of the journey, matching, screening, contracts, payments logistics, and communication between intended parents, surrogate, clinic, and lawyers, according to local practice and law.

Egg donor

A woman who donates oocytes for use in IVF; she may be anonymous, semi-known, or known to the intended parents.

Gestational surrogacy

Surrogacy where the surrogate is not the egg donor; the embryo comes from intended parents’ and/or donors’ gametes.

Intended parent coordinator

A staff member (often at an agency) who is the main day-to-day contact for intended parents, scheduling updates, documents, and handoffs between clinic, legal, and surrogate teams.

Intended parent(s) / IP

The person or people who plan to raise the child and become legal parents according to the plan and applicable law.

Surrogate / gestational carrier

A woman who carries and gives birth to a baby for someone else. In gestational surrogacy, she is not the egg donor. Some people still say “surrogate mother,” but that phrase can blur legal parentage, imply genetic motherhood, or feel emotionally loaded; “surrogate” or “gestational carrier” is often clearer in documents and day-to-day conversation. Often abbreviated GC (see GC).

Case manager / coordinator

A professional at an agency or clinic who tracks appointments, documents, and communication between parties.

GC

See Surrogate / gestational carrier.

Home study

In some jurisdictions (often adoption-related routes), an assessment of the intended parents’ home and readiness; requirements vary.

Intended father(s)

A male intended parent; in same-sex couples there may be two intended fathers, sometimes each with genetic embryos in the journey.

Intended mother(s)

A female intended parent; may or may not use her own eggs depending on the medical plan.

Known donor

A donor whose identity or contact is disclosed or agreed in advance, versus anonymous donation through a bank.

Legal team

Lawyers or advisers who help with contracts, parentage, or other legal steps. Not a substitute for advice tailored to your situation.

Matching

The process of proposing a surrogate (or donor) to intended parents based on preferences, medical fit, and legal compatibility.

Matching meeting

A video or in-person meeting where intended parents and a proposed surrogate (and sometimes professionals) get to know each other and decide whether to move forward.

Rematch

Starting the matching process again with a new surrogate candidate after a prior match did not proceed, because of medical, legal, personal, or timing reasons.

Sperm donor

A man who donates sperm for use in IVF or insemination; may be anonymous or known.

Traditional surrogacy

Surrogacy where the surrogate’s own egg is used, so she is genetically related to the child; legally and emotionally distinct from gestational surrogacy and uncommon in many markets.

IVF, gametes, and embryos

Blastocyst

An embryo about five to six days after fertilization, with a fluid-filled cavity and organized cell layers; many clinics transfer at this stage.

Egg retrieval

A minor procedure under sedation to collect eggs from the ovaries after stimulation.

Embryo transfer

The procedure of placing one or more embryos into the surrogate’s uterus (fresh or frozen).

ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)

IVF where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg; used when fertilization odds need a boost or with surgically retrieved sperm.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

Fertilizing eggs with sperm in the laboratory to create embryos for transfer, testing, or freezing.

PGT-A (formerly PGS / PGS24)

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy: checks whether tested cells from an embryo suggest a normal chromosome count.

Aneuploidy

An abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell; PGT-A is often used to screen embryos for this before transfer.

Antagonist protocol

A common IVF medication plan that uses drugs to prevent premature ovulation during stimulation.

Baseline ultrasound

An early-cycle scan to check the ovaries and uterus before starting stimulation or a medicated cycle.

Cleavage-stage embryo

An early embryo (often day 2-3) before it typically becomes a blastocyst; some programs culture or freeze at this stage.

Cryopreservation

Freezing eggs, sperm, or embryos for storage; thawed later for use.

Cryoshipment / embryo shipping

Transport of frozen gametes or embryos between labs, often with specialized couriers and legal paperwork.

Day 3 / Day 5 (embryo)

Shorthand for how many days after fertilization an embryo was when graded, frozen, or transferred; day 5 often corresponds to blastocyst stage.

DNA fragmentation test

A sperm-quality test sometimes used to assess whether DNA inside sperm is broken, which may matter for IVF success in some cases.

Double embryo transfer

Placing two embryos in one transfer cycle; sometimes discussed when two embryos from different genetic sources are transferred (e.g., two intended fathers each contributing embryos).

Down regulation

Medication phase that suppresses the body’s natural hormones so IVF or surrogate preparation can be timed precisely.

Egg (ovum)

The female reproductive cell; in many journeys it comes from an egg donor while the surrogate provides the uterus.

Embryo

A fertilized egg, egg and sperm combined, that can be cultured, tested, frozen, or transferred.

Embryo grading

A lab’s morphologic score describing embryo appearance; it helps choose which embryo to transfer but does not guarantee outcome.

Embryo reduction

A procedure to reduce the number of fetuses in a multiple pregnancy to improve safety; medically and ethically sensitive, governed by law and clinic policy.

Endometrial lining

The layer inside the uterus that thickens to support implantation; surrogates often have ultrasounds to measure lining before transfer.

Endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA)

A test sometimes used to suggest the best day for progesterone start or transfer by sampling the lining’s gene expression; not universally offered.

Euploid

An embryo or cell with the expected number of chromosomes for a species; “euploid” on PGT-A usually means no major aneuploidy detected in the sample.

Failed transfer

A cycle where embryos were transferred but a sustained pregnancy did not result; clinics and agencies may discuss next steps, testing, or another attempt.

Follicle

A small fluid sac in the ovary that holds an egg; stimulation aims to grow multiple mature follicles for retrieval.

Fresh transfer

Embryo transfer in the same stimulated cycle as egg retrieval (less common in donor or surrogate cycles than FET).

Frozen embryo transfer (FET)

Transfer using embryos that were vitrified and stored from a prior IVF cycle.

hCG trigger shot

An injection that mimics the natural ovulation signal so the clinic can time egg retrieval.

In vitro maturation (IVM)

Maturing eggs in the lab from immature follicles; less common than standard IVF stimulation.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Placing prepared sperm into the uterus around ovulation; not IVF, but sperm washing is also used in IVF prep.

Luteal phase support

Hormones (often progesterone) given after transfer to support the lining until the placenta takes over.

Medicated transfer cycle

A surrogate cycle using estrogen and progesterone (and sometimes other drugs) to prepare the uterus for FET.

Mock cycle / mock transfer

A practice run of medications and sometimes a catheter placement to see how the surrogate’s lining responds before the real transfer.

Mosaic embryo

An embryo where some tested cells are euploid and some aneuploid; clinics differ on whether such embryos can be transferred.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)

A potentially serious reaction to stimulation drugs, more relevant to egg donors and egg-retrieval cycles than to most surrogate-only cycles.

PGT-M (formerly PGD)

Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic (single-gene) diseases, checking embryos for a specific inherited condition the family or donor carries. For sex-linked disorders, analysis may involve sex chromosomes; rules on using sex information vary by country and clinic, and non-medical sex selection is illegal or restricted in many places.

PGT-SR

Preimplantation genetic testing for structural rearrangements (e.g., translocations) in parental chromosomes that could affect embryos.

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)

Umbrella term for embryo biopsy and genetic testing before transfer (includes PGT-A, PGT-M, PGT-SR).

Priming

Early medications (sometimes birth control or estrogen) to synchronize cycles before stimulation or surrogate prep.

Progesterone in oil (PIO)

An injectable form of progesterone sometimes used in luteal support; other forms include vaginal or oral progesterone.

Reciprocal IVF

When one partner in a female couple carries using the other partner’s eggs and donor sperm, not surrogacy, but related fertility vocabulary.

Semen analysis

Laboratory test measuring sperm count, movement, and shape to plan IVF or IUI.

Single embryo transfer (SET)

Transferring one embryo at a time to reduce twin/triplet risk; often encouraged medically though plans vary.

Sperm

The male reproductive cell; may come from an intended father or a sperm donor.

Sperm washing

Lab processing that prepares a sperm sample for procedure use, often concentrating motile sperm and separating them from seminal fluid, for example before IUI or as part of IVF lab workflow.

Stimulation (stimming)

Hormone injections that grow multiple follicles in an egg donor’s or intended mother’s ovaries before retrieval.

Trigger shot

See hCG trigger shot.

Trophectoderm biopsy

Cells sampled from the outer layer of a blastocyst for PGT, intended to represent the future placenta more than the baby.

Vitrification

Ultra-rapid freezing of eggs, sperm, or embryos that reduces ice crystal damage compared to older slow-freeze methods.

Zygote

The single cell formed immediately after fertilization, before cleavage into an embryo.

Pregnancy and birth

Amniocentesis

A prenatal diagnostic test where a small sample of amniotic fluid is taken to check for certain genetic conditions or infections; usually offered later in pregnancy when indicated.

Beta test (β-hCG)

A blood test measuring pregnancy hormone, often done about 9-14 days after embryo transfer to see if implantation occurred; repeat tests may check whether levels rise appropriately.

Birth plan

A written outline of preferences for labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum care, discussed with the surrogate and medical team.

Due date / EDD

Estimated due date, the approximate calendar date when a full-term birth is expected, usually set from early ultrasound dating; plans and travel often anchor to the EDD with flexibility.

Viability scan

An early ultrasound to confirm intrauterine pregnancy and sometimes a heartbeat.

Chemical pregnancy

A very early pregnancy loss where hormone levels rose briefly after transfer but the pregnancy did not continue; people learn of it when bleeding starts or when follow-up tests show falling hCG.

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

A prenatal diagnostic test that samples placental tissue for genetic or chromosomal information; offered when medically indicated.

Colostrum

The first milk produced after birth, rich in antibodies; intended parents sometimes discuss feeding plans involving pumped colostrum or formula.

CVS

See chorionic villus sampling.

Dilation and curettage (D&C)

A procedure to remove tissue from the uterus; may follow miscarriage or other complications as clinically indicated.

Ectopic pregnancy

A pregnancy where the embryo implants outside the uterus (often in a fallopian tube); it is not viable and needs urgent medical care.

First trimester screening

Combined blood tests and ultrasound markers used to assess risk for certain conditions; not the same as diagnostic testing.

Full term

Birth at or after about 37 completed weeks of pregnancy; “preterm” is earlier.

Induced lactation

Using medication and pumping so a non-birth parent can produce some breast milk if they choose.

Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM)

Obstetric subspecialists who manage higher-risk pregnancies; IPs may see updates from MFM visits.

Miscarriage

Loss of a pregnancy before viability; timing and medical management vary; people may use this word alongside clinical terms their clinic provides.

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

Specialized nursery for ill or premature newborns; length of stay and costs vary widely.

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)

A blood test on the pregnant surrogate that screens for common chromosomal conditions by analyzing placental DNA in her blood; screening, not diagnostic.

Prenatal visit

Routine obstetric appointments to monitor the surrogate’s health and fetal development.

Stillbirth

The loss of a baby at or after about 20 weeks of pregnancy before birth (definitions vary slightly by jurisdiction).

Ultrasound milestones

Scheduled scans (e.g., viability, anatomy scan) to monitor fetal development and the surrogate’s uterus.

Legal, parentage, and travel

Apostille

A standardized certificate attached to a public document so it can be recognized in another country that is party to the Hague Apostille Convention; often used for birth records and legal papers across borders.

Certified copy

An official duplicate of a document (often from a civil registry or court) stating it matches the original; consulates and lawyers often ask for certified copies.

Legal guardian

A person legally responsible for a child’s care or decisions in a specific context. In surrogacy and cross-border family situations, guardianship language can vary by country and should be checked with a qualified lawyer. This is different from legal parentage, which is established through jurisdiction-specific steps.

Legal parentage / parentage order

Court or administrative steps that establish the intended parents as the child’s legal parents and may limit the surrogate’s legal tie; highly jurisdiction-specific.

Passport / travel documents

Identity and travel papers for the newborn; timelines depend on consulates, citizenship rules, and local registration.

Post-birth order

A court order issued after delivery to establish parentage, where that is the lawful route in a given place.

Pre-birth order

A court order before birth, where available, declaring intended parents as legal parents at birth.

Birth certificate

The official civil record of birth; in surrogacy, who is named at birth and how parentage is later updated depends on country and state law.

Birth country

The country where the baby is born; intended parents often coordinate citizenship, parentage, and exit paperwork based on birth country rules.

Consulate / embassy appointment

A booked visit or submission step at a diplomatic mission to apply for passports, register the child, or present documents for citizenship or travel.

Exit authorization / exit process

Country-specific paperwork and steps so the newborn and intended parents can leave the birth country legally.

Home country

The country where intended parents usually live and plan to raise the child; citizenship, return travel, and registration steps often differ from the birth country.

Legal clearance

Sign-off from lawyers that a surrogate, donor, or intended-parent file meets contract or parentage requirements to proceed (wording varies by program).

Notary / notarization

A neutral official who witnesses signatures and may certify copies of documents; many surrogacy and travel papers require notarization under local rules.

Parentage plan

The agreed legal steps (orders, declarations, birth registration) to establish IPs as parents after birth.

Surrogacy agreement / gestational carrier agreement

The contract between intended parents and surrogate (and sometimes partner) describing rights, responsibilities, compensation, and legal intent; must comply with local law.

Translation / certified translation

Official language conversion of documents, often required for consulates, courts, or clinics across borders.

Costs, insurance, and logistics

Complications insurance

Coverage intended to reduce financial risk if the surrogate or pregnancy has serious medical complications; products and names vary by market.

Escrow / trust account

A third-party-held account used in some journeys to release surrogate compensation and expenses according to a signed schedule.

Expense reimbursement

Money paid back to the surrogate (or occasionally others) for agreed pregnancy-related costs, travel to appointments, meds, maternity items, usually against receipts per contract.

NICU insurance

Coverage intended to help with NICU or newborn hospital costs if specialized care is needed.

Payment schedule

The contract’s timeline of compensation installments, escrow releases, and sometimes milestone-linked fees; helps IPs track what is due and when.

Surrogate compensation / base compensation

Scheduled payments to a surrogate for her time, risk, and commitment, as set out in contract, not payment for the child; extras often cover pregnancy-related costs.

Screening, clearance, and documents

Carrier screening (genetic)

Testing of intended parents or donors for genes that could cause inherited disease in a child, not to be confused with “gestational carrier” (surrogate).

Medical clearance

Formal approval from a clinic or program that a person meets health criteria to continue, for example a surrogate cleared to transfer, or a donor cleared to cycle.

Background check

A review of criminal or other records, sometimes required for surrogates, donors, or household members as part of screening.

Donor profile

Non-identifying or identifying information about an egg or sperm donor (health, education, photos) used in matching.

Embryo report

A document from the lab describing embryos created, frozen, biopsied, or discarded.

Fertilization report

The lab’s update after eggs and sperm are combined, stating how many eggs fertilized and how embryos are progressing.

Karyotype

A test that maps chromosome number and large structural issues in a person’s cells; sometimes done for donors or intended parents as part of screening.

Psychological screening

Structured interviews and questionnaires (sometimes with a licensed mental health professional) to support informed consent and readiness for surrogacy, egg donation, or third-party reproduction.

Serology

Blood tests for infections or immunity markers; common in screening for donors, surrogates, and sometimes IPs.

Surrogate medical clearance

Clinic sign-off that a surrogate candidate meets medical criteria to carry a pregnancy after exams and tests.

Surrogate profile

Summary of a surrogate candidate’s health, lifestyle, family, and preferences, shared according to privacy agreements.