What is Third-Party Reproduction?
According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, third-party reproduction refers to the use of eggs, sperm, or embryos that have been donated by a third person (donor) to enable an individual or couple (intended parents) to become parents. It can also include using donated eggs, sperm, or embryos, and gestational-carrier (often called surrogate) arrangements, in which the pregnancy is carried by someone other than the intended parents.
There are four main types of third-party reproduction:
Egg donation: A donor provides eggs. This is most common for women with poor ovarian reserve or low egg quality. It is also required for same-sex male couples who wish to have a child.
Sperm donation: A donor provides sperm. This is most common for same-sex female couples, single women, or heterosexual couples where the male has a low sperm count.
Embryo donation: A couple donates their unused embryos for use by a third party.
Surrogacy: Sometimes known as gestational surrogacy, in this situation, an embryo is transferred to another woman, who will carry the pregnancy and deliver the baby. The embryo may be created with the egg and sperm of the intended parents or donors. This option is used by same-sex male couples, single men, or heterosexual couples where the woman is unable to carry a pregnancy.
Though it is difficult to understand the number of people who make use of third-party reproduction around the world each year, the number is likely to be in the tens, if not hundreds, of thousands. According to the US Centers for Disease Control, in the USA alone, around 24,000 people underwent IVF using donor eggs and over 9,000 people used a surrogate in 2020.
Third-party reproduction is legally complex, and laws and regulations vary greatly by country. While third-party reproduction is growing in use around the world, it can also raise social and ethical considerations as well as deeply personal questions around parenthood and identity. Additionally, for women who have been trying to achieve pregnancy with their own eggs, the decision of when to move to donor eggs can be emotionally fraught. Counseling and support are critical for intended parents to navigate these considerations and find the best option for them.
