Third Party Reproductive Services

Third party reproductive services provide a way for people to expand their families when it wouldn’t be possible otherwise. These options enable couples or individuals to have a child through eggs, sperm, or embryos donated by a third party.

What Are Third Party Reproductive Services?

Third party reproductive services are fertility procedures using donated:

• Eggs
• Sperm
• Embryos

Gestational surrogacy, where another person carries the pregnancy to term, is also included in these services. Surrogates may be an option for couples who can provide eggs and sperm but lack a normal uterus, or people with donated embryos.

For couples struggling with infertility, same-sex couples, or single people, third party reproductive services can provide a path to starting a family.  

What conditions do you treat?

At UPMC Third Party Reproductive Services, we treat infertility through egg and sperm donation and in vitro fertilization (IVF). We also provide reproductive assistance for single people and same-sex couples. 

Who Are Third Party Reproductive Services For?

People who may benefit from third party reproductive services include:

• Couples with male factor infertility.
• Same-sex couples, male or female.
• Single women or men who would like to start a family.
• Women beyond the peak reproductive age.
• Women with multiple failed IVF cycles.
• Women with poor quality eggs.
• Women who've had multiple pregnancy losses.

What Services and Treatments Do Third Party Reproductive Services Offer?

Third party reproduction can be a solution for people who've been unable to start families. 

We recommend and offer counseling with all of our third party reproductive services. The path from infertility to third party assistance is paved with many emotions, challenges, and joys. It’s best to have support and guidance throughout this journey.

UPMC offers a complete range of third party reproductive services through donated eggs, sperm, embryos, and surrogacy.

Donor eggs

We're a longtime leader in offering in vitro fertilization (IVF) with donated eggs. An egg donor assists when a woman can’t provide her own eggs.

Some reasons a woman may not be able to provide viable eggs include:

• Advancing age.
• Genetic diseases caused by the X chromosome.
• Premature menopause.
• Repeated failed cycles of IVF.
• Repeated pregnancy losses.
• Reproductive health conditions, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, or fibroids.
• Surgical removal of ovaries. 

Egg donation enables couples to:

• Experience pregnancy.
• Have a biological family (there's a genetic link through the father).
• Have genetic siblings. 

Recipients of donor eggs for IVF must:

• Be 51 years old or younger.
• Be medically able to carry a pregnancy. (Women over age 45 need to obtain medical clearance.)
• Have a normal uterus.

Donor sperm

If you have severe male factor infertility, or can’t produce sperm, you may decide to use donor sperm. Single women who wish to start a family may also go this route. 

Sperm banks are accredited by the American Tissue Bank and registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

There are two ways to become pregnant through donor sperm: intrauterine insemination (IUI) or IVF. Your doctor will recommend which might be right for you. 

Gestational surrogacy

If you can provide your own eggs and sperm but don’t have a normal uterus, or have donor embryos, you can have a surrogate carry the pregnancy to term.

Gestational surrogacy is a good option for women who have:

• Abnormalities affecting the reproductive organs.
• Had hysterectomies.
• Immune system disorders.
• Multiple nongenetic pregnancy losses.
• Underlying medical issues that prevent them from having a safe pregnancy, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, lupus, or type 1 diabetes.

How does gestational surrogacy work?

The process of gestational surrogacy involves several steps:

1. Couples (intended parents) create embryos through IVF. If one partner can't provide their own egg or sperm, you must use a donor.
2. The embryos are transferred to the uterus of the person who has agreed to be the gestational carrier.
3. The gestational carrier provides care throughout the pregnancy.
4. The gestational carrier relinquishes the child to the intended parents at birth.

Finding a gestational surrogate

UPMC doesn't recruit gestational surrogates.

People typically find carriers for a pregnancy through:

• An agency.
• An attorney.
• Their own circle of family and friends.

Not everyone can be a surrogate. Surrogates need to meet stringent criteria regarding their reproductive and medical histories. They also need to be emotionally healthy and have good support systems. 

UPMC provides medical services and preconception psychological screening for the intended parents. We also provide these services to the surrogate and her partner, if she has one. 

Embryo donation

Embryo donation is a relatively new way to start a family that's growing in popularity. It involves couples who've completed their families through IVF but have remaining embryos choosing to donate them anonymously.

Embryo donation is an option for couples who are willing to receive donated embryos, as long as this option is medically appropriate. Anyone who considers building their family through donated embryos receives counseling. 

Ideal candidates for embryo donation are couples in need of both donated eggs and sperm or single women beyond the normal reproductive age. Recipients of donated embryos are able to experience pregnancy and become nurturing parents. 

Couples who wish to donate embryos must complete a health survey and undergo screening for infectious diseases. They must also receive counseling to make sure they're comfortable with their decision to donate.   

Why Choose UPMC for Third Party Reproductive Services?

As a leader in reproductive health, UPMC has paved the way for alternative ways for families to grow. Our medical teams have experience in all of the ways pregnancy can happen. Our goal is always for you to achieve a successful, healthy, and happy pregnancy.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-09-05.