If you’re a surrogate or thinking about becoming one, you might hear the term pre-implantation genetic testing, or PGT. It’s actually a very helpful part of the journey for many families and an important step in the IVF process.
In this post, we’ll walk you through what PGT means, why intended parents may choose it, and what you, as a surrogate, should know. Understanding this process can help you feel more informed and confident throughout the surrogacy journey.
What Is Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing (PGT)?
Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) is a medical test that is done during the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process.
Once embryos have grown for about five to six days, doctors take a very small sample of cells from each one. This is done gently and does not harm the embryo. Those cells are then sent to a lab, where they are checked for genetic problems. These may include:
- Chromosomal abnormalities (like missing or extra chromosomes)
- Inherited conditions (like cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy)
- Other specific genetic markers that the parents may want to know about
The goal of this testing is to find the healthiest embryos with the best chance of growing into a healthy pregnancy.
PGT helps doctors and intended parents choose the best embryo to transfer to the surrogate, giving everyone the best chance of a successful pregnancy.
Why Do Intended Parents Use PGT?
There are many reasons why intended parents choose to use PGT. Some of the most common include:
- To reduce the risk of miscarriage: Embryos with genetic issues may not implant properly or may lead to early pregnancy loss.
- To prevent genetic diseases: If one or both parents are carriers of a disease, PGT helps them avoid passing it to their child.
- To improve the chance of pregnancy success: By choosing the healthiest embryo, the chances of implantation and a healthy pregnancy are higher.
For families who have gone through a lot—like failed IVF attempts or pregnancy loss—PGT can give hope and confidence.
What Does This Mean for You as a Surrogate?
As a surrogate, you don’t need to worry about making any decisions about PGT—that is up to the intended parents and their fertility doctor. However, it’s still helpful for you to know how this testing might affect the process.
Here’s what it could mean for you:
- Only Tested Embryos Will be Used: After the lab finishes testing, the doctor will typically select only the embryos that passed PGT to be transferred to you.
- You May Have Fewer Embryos to Work With: Not all embryos pass PGT. Sometimes, several embryos are created, but only a few (or even just one) come back as genetically healthy and approved for transfer. This means the doctors and intended parents will be very thoughtful about choosing the right embryo and preparing the best possible conditions for the transfer.
- Your Medical Protocol Stays the Same: Even though the embryos are being tested, your body still goes through the same preparation. You’ll take medications (usually estrogen and progesterone), attend monitoring appointments, and get your body ready for a frozen embryo transfer (FET). The steps you follow don’t change because of PGT. You’ll still be supported closely by your care team and guided through everything, step-by-step.
The goal is to give the best chance at a healthy, full-term pregnancy, and PGT helps make that possible.
Will I Know the Results?
In most cases, the PGT results are shared with the intended parents and the fertility team. Sometimes, the clinic or agency may share general information with you, like the number of embryos that passed testing or the gender of the embryo being transferred (if known and chosen).
If you’re curious or have questions, you can always talk with your agency or ask the intended parents if they’re open to sharing more. Good communication is always encouraged during the surrogacy journey!
Final Thoughts
Pre-implantation genetic testing is simply a tool to help make the surrogacy process smoother and more successful. It helps intended parents and doctors choose the strongest embryo, giving you a better chance of having a healthy pregnancy.
As a surrogate, your role doesn’t change because of PGT. By learning about each part of the process, like PGT, you’re empowering yourself to walk this journey with confidence and knowledge.
