The greatest gift is parenthood.

Donation, Donor Conception, Gestational Surrogacy & More

At the Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine (SCCRM), we specialize in guiding patients through their unique paths of parenthood with compassion and expertise. Whether through embryo donation, egg donor conception, sperm donor conception, or gestational surrogacy, our personalized approach ensures your journey is as supported and empowering as possible. With decades of experience and access to the most advanced reproductive technologies, we are committed to helping you overcome challenges and build the family you’ve been dreaming of—because at SCCRM, we believe every story deserves its happy beginning.

Pregnant woman on beach with child for page about egg donation and surrogacy for SCCRM

Egg donor conception

Egg donor conception provides a path to parenthood for women unable to conceive with their own eggs due to age, medical conditions, or other factors. At SCCRM, we work with a network of thoroughly screened egg donors, ensuring they meet rigorous standards for health, genetic history, and compatibility. The process includes selecting a donor, retrieving and fertilizing the donor’s eggs, and transferring the resulting embryos to the intended parent or surrogate. Our team offers compassionate support and expert care throughout the process, helping you build the family you’ve always dreamed of.

  • Egg donor conception is an excellent option for:

    • Women with diminished ovarian reserve or premature ovarian failure

    • Those with age-related fertility challenges

    • Individuals with genetic conditions that could be passed to their child

    • LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples

    • Single parents by choice

    1. Donor Selection

      You’ll collaborate closely with our team to select a donor from a trusted egg donor program. Each donor undergoes extensive screening, including medical, psychological, and genetic evaluations, to ensure they meet the highest standards of health and compatibility. We provide you with detailed donor profiles, allowing you to choose based on preferences such as physical characteristics, education, personal background, and more, ensuring a match that aligns with your goals and values.

    2. Egg Retrieval and Fertilization

      The donor undergoes egg retrieval, a minimally invasive procedure performed under light sedation. The retrieved eggs are then fertilized in our advanced laboratory using sperm from the intended parent or a chosen donor. Our embryologists carefully monitor the development of embryos, ensuring the highest quality for transfer.

    3. Embryo Transfer

      Using state-of-the-art techniques, we select the healthiest embryos for transfer to the recipient’s uterus. The transfer is a simple, outpatient procedure performed in a comfortable, supportive environment. Any remaining high-quality embryos can be frozen for future family-building options.

    4. Pregnancy and Follow-Up

      Following the transfer, we monitor the recipient’s progress with care and precision to confirm pregnancy. Our team provides comprehensive follow-up care, ensuring that you feel supported every step of the way. Whether through counseling, wellness resources, or regular check-ins, we are here to guide you toward a healthy and successful outcome.

Sperm donor conception

Sperm donor conception is an ideal solution for single women, same-sex female couples, or individuals facing male-factor infertility. SCCRM collaborates with reputable sperm banks to provide a wide selection of carefully screened donors. Whether used in intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF), donor sperm offers flexibility and accessibility for a variety of family-building journeys. Our team will guide you through every step, ensuring a seamless experience tailored to your needs.

  • Sperm donor conception is a great option for:

    • Individuals and couples facing male factor infertility

    • Single women choosing parenthood

    • Same-sex female couples building their families

    • Individuals with genetic conditions who want to reduce the risk of passing them on to their child

    1. Donor Selection
      You can choose donor sperm from a trusted sperm bank, which offers a wide selection of thoroughly vetted donors, or opt for a known donor. Sperm donors undergo rigorous screening, including detailed health evaluations, genetic testing, and infectious disease screening, to ensure the highest quality samples. Donor profiles provide information about physical characteristics, education, hobbies, and background, enabling you to select a donor who aligns with your preferences and goals.

    2. Fertility Treatment Planning
      Your SCCRM physician will develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your individual needs and family-building goals. Depending on your unique circumstances, this plan may include intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Factors such as your age, fertility health, and desired outcomes will guide this decision.

    3. Sperm Preparation
      When the time comes, donor sperm is thawed and meticulously prepared in our advanced laboratory. This process enhances the quality and effectiveness of the sample by isolating the healthiest sperm, ensuring optimal conditions for fertilization.

    4. Fertilization Options
      For IUI, the prepared donor sperm is placed directly into the uterus during the most fertile part of your cycle, increasing the chances of conception. For IVF, donor sperm is used to fertilize eggs in the laboratory under controlled conditions. The resulting embryos are monitored closely, and the healthiest are selected for transfer to the uterus.

    5. Monitoring and Support
      Throughout the process, our dedicated team will provide regular monitoring to track your progress and optimize your chances of success. From cycle tracking and hormone monitoring to emotional support and wellness resources, we are committed to guiding you every step of the way.

Logo of Fairfax Cryobank with DNA graphic and slogan "The Trusted Choice for Donor Sperm."

SCCRM Sperm Donor Partner

Fairfax Cryobank

Why Fairfax Cryobank for donor sperm?

Fairfax Cryobank, in partnership with SCCRM, offers exclusive benefits to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey to parenthood, including 90 days of free unlimited access to an extensive donor database with adult photos, complimentary shipping for secure and timely delivery, and free storage of vials for up to six months. With a carefully screened selection of high-quality donors, Fairfax Cryobank provides confidence and support at every step of your journey.

Gestational surrogacy

Gestational surrogacy offers hope to individuals and couples who are unable to carry a pregnancy themselves, including those with medical conditions, uterine abnormalities, or same-sex male couples. In this process, an embryo created using the intended parent(s)’ or donor’s genetic material is carried by a surrogate, who has no genetic connection to the child.

At SCCRM, we partner with trusted surrogacy agencies to match you with compassionate, experienced surrogates. Our team coordinates every step of the medical process, from embryo transfer to monitoring the pregnancy, providing expert care and personalized support to ensure a successful journey for everyone involved.

  • Gestational surrogacy is a life-changing option for:

    • Women with medical conditions preventing them from safely carrying a pregnancy

    • Individuals with uterine abnormalities or recurrent pregnancy loss

    • Same-sex male couples building their families

    • Single men pursuing parenthood

    • Couples who have experienced unsuccessful fertility treatments

    1. Initial Consultation
      Your surrogacy journey begins with an in-depth consultation at SCCRM. During this meeting, we’ll discuss your family-building goals, review your medical history, and create a personalized surrogacy plan tailored to your unique circumstances. This is also an opportunity to address any questions or concerns, ensuring you feel fully informed and supported.

    2. Surrogate Matching
      We partner with trusted surrogacy agencies to connect you with a qualified, compassionate surrogate who aligns with your preferences and values. Each surrogate undergoes extensive medical evaluations, psychological assessments, and thorough background checks to ensure they are physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared for the responsibilities of surrogacy.

    3. IVF and Embryo Creation
      The next step is creating embryos in our state-of-the-art IVF laboratory. Using eggs and sperm from the intended parents or donors, our experienced embryologists utilize advanced techniques such as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) to ensure successful fertilization. If needed, Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) can be performed to screen embryos for genetic abnormalities, increasing the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy.

    4. Embryo Transfer
      Once the surrogate’s cycle is synchronized with the intended parents’ treatment plan, a healthy embryo is carefully transferred to her uterus. This precise and gentle procedure is performed by our expert fertility specialists, prioritizing the surrogate’s comfort and the success of the implantation process.

    5. Pregnancy Monitoring
      Throughout the pregnancy, our team collaborates closely with the surrogate and her healthcare providers to monitor her health and the baby’s development. Regular check-ins, ultrasounds, and medical assessments ensure that everything progresses smoothly, providing peace of mind for both the surrogate and intended parents.

    6. Delivery and Parenthood
      When the baby is born, the intended parents are there to celebrate the culmination of this incredible journey. The surrogate’s dedication and care bring your family’s dream to life, and the next chapter begins with the arrival of your new family member.

Embryo donation

Embryo donation at SCCRM offers a meaningful path for both individuals looking to grow their families and those hoping to help others do the same. Whether you're considering receiving donated embryos or are ready to donate unused embryos created at SCCRM, our program provides expert guidance, compassionate care, and a carefully managed process to support your journey.

  • SCCRM offers a unique embryo donation program exclusively for patients within our care. If you're exploring the option of using donated embryos to grow your family, you must be an established SCCRM patient—or begin care with us through a new patient consultation. This initial visit allows our team to understand your medical history, develop a personalized treatment plan.

    Please note: All donor embryos used in our program were originally created at SCCRM. We do not accept embryos from outside clinics, nor do we ship or transfer embryos to other practices. Our approach is designed to ensure the highest level of care, continuity, and success for hopeful parents pursuing this path.

  • Embryo donation provides a unique opportunity for individuals and couples to share the gift of life with those struggling to build their families. If you have unused embryos from an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, donating them offers a profound way to help others achieve their dreams of parenthood.

    If you are interested in donating your embryos, contact your care team to learn more and determine eligibility for embryo donation.

If you’re considering embryo donation or using donated embryos to conceive, SCCRM is here to guide you through the process with expertise and care. Contact us today to learn more and start your journey.