The Ultimate Surrogacy Glossary 50 Terms Every Intended Parent Must Know

By Dr. Jane Tucker, MD, Board-Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Starting your surrogacy journey can feel overwhelming — especially with the new language that comes with it. From acronyms like “PGT” to complex legal terms like “gestational carrier agreement,” understanding the vocabulary is essential.

This surrogacy glossary includes 50 key terms that every intended parent should know. Bookmark this guide and return to it as you navigate the path to parenthood.

A–C: Common Medical and Legal Terms

1. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Techniques used to achieve pregnancy (e.g., IVF, IUI, egg donation).
2. Agency Fee
The cost paid to a surrogacy agency for coordination, support, and matching services.
3. Amniocentesis
A prenatal test that checks for genetic abnormalities.
4. Beta Test
A blood test that confirms pregnancy by measuring hCG hormone levels.
5. Carrier Screening
Genetic testing performed on donors or parents to screen for inherited conditions.
6. Compensation Package
The total financial reimbursement a surrogate receives for carrying a pregnancy.
7. Cryopreservation
The process of freezing and storing embryos or eggs for future use.
8. Cesarean Section (C-section)
A surgical procedure to deliver a baby.
9. Clinic Fee
The fee paid to a fertility clinic for IVF-related services.
10. Cycle Synchronization
Aligning the surrogate’s menstrual cycle with the embryo transfer schedule.

D–G: Egg Donation, Genetic Testing, and More

11. Donor Egg
An egg provided by someone other than the intended mother, used in IVF.
12. Donor Sperm
Sperm provided by someone other than the intended father.
13. Embryo
A fertilized egg cell that has begun cell division.
14. Embryo Transfer
The placement of an embryo into the surrogate’s uterus.
15. Escrow Account
A secure fund used to manage surrogate payments throughout the journey.
16. Egg Retrieval
The process of collecting mature eggs from an ovary during IVF.
17. Fertility Specialist
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating infertility.
18. Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
The use of previously frozen embryos in a later IVF cycle.
19. Gestational Carrier (GC)
Another term for surrogate — a woman who carries a baby she is not biologically
related to.
20. Gestational Carrier Agreement (GCA)
The legal contract between the surrogate and the intended parents.

H–L: Hormones, Labs, and Legal Support

21. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Medications used to prepare the surrogate’s uterus for embryo transfer.
22. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
The hormone measured to confirm early pregnancy.
23. Intended Parent (IP)
The person or couple who will raise the child born via surrogacy.
24. ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
A lab technique where one sperm is injected directly into an egg.
25. IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)
A process where eggs and sperm are combined in a lab to create embryos.
26. Legal Clearance
Confirmation that all surrogacy contracts are signed and approved before embryo transfer.
27. Luteal Phase Support
Hormones (typically progesterone) given to prepare the uterus for implantation.
28. Live Birth Rate
The percentage of IVF or FET cycles that result in a live birth.
29. Licensed Surrogacy Agency
A professional organization that manages the surrogacy process, screening, and coordination.
30. Lining Check
An ultrasound test to measure the surrogate’s endometrial thickness before transfer.

M–R: Matching, Medications, and Reproductive Terms

31. Matching Meeting
A virtual or in-person meeting between surrogate and intended parents.
32. Maternity Clothing Allowance
Funds provided to the surrogate for pregnancy-appropriate attire.
33. Monitoring Clinic
A facility used to track hormone levels and ultrasounds during IVF and pregnancy.
34. Multiples
Pregnancy with twins or more.
35. Natural Cycle Transfer
Embryo transfer that follows a surrogate’s natural ovulation, without hormone meds.
36. OB Clearance
Approval from the surrogate’s OB/GYN confirming readiness for pregnancy.
37. Oocyte
The medical term for an egg cell.
38. PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing)
Screening embryos for chromosomal or genetic abnormalities before transfer.
39. PGS / PGD
Older terms for embryo testing; now grouped under PGT.
40. Psychological Evaluation
A mental health screening required for all surrogates and often intended parents.

S–Z: Surrogacy Essentials

41. Stimulation Cycle
The process where fertility drugs are used to stimulate egg production.
42. Single Embryo Transfer (SET)
Transferring one embryo to reduce risk of twins or higher-order multiples.
43. Surrogacy Agreement
Legal contract outlining terms of the surrogacy arrangement.
44. Surrogate Mother
Colloquial term for gestational carrier — carries the baby but has no genetic link.
45. Support Team
Surrogacy agency staff, attorneys, counselors, and coordinators involved in the journey.
46. Transfer Cycle
The portion of the IVF process when an embryo is transferred to the uterus.
47. Ultrasound
An imaging scan used to monitor pregnancy development.
48. Uterine Receptivity
A term describing how ready the uterus is for implantation.
49. Viability Scan
An early ultrasound confirming fetal heartbeat and development.
50. Zygote
A fertilized egg — the earliest stage of embryo development.

Why This Glossary Matters

Surrogacy is more than a medical process — it’s a personal, legal, and emotional journey. Understanding the language helps you feel empowered, ask the right questions, and make the best decisions for your family.

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Final Thoughts

As you move forward, keep this glossary as your go-to reference. Whether you’re reviewing contracts, talking to doctors, or meeting your surrogate — these terms will keep you informed and confident every step of the way.

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Call us at 1-212-661-7177 or info@surrogacy4all.com

About Dr. Jane Tucker: Dr. Tucker earned her MD from Johns Hopkins University, completed her residency at Florida Hospital, and has 15 years of experience in fertility medicine. She has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and lectures nationally on reproductive health.