If you are searching for surrogacy in Vancouver, you may already know that a surrogate can help someone have a child when carrying a pregnancy is not possible or medically advisable. But many intended parents are less familiar with the medical process behind gestational surrogacy—and the different professionals involved.
For women with serious uterine conditions, individuals who have been advised not to carry a pregnancy, single men, and male same-sex couples, gestational surrogacy may offer a path to parenthood.
One of the most important things to understand is that gestational surrogacy begins with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The embryo is created in an IVF laboratory, just as it would be for many conventional IVF treatments. The key difference is who receives that embryo.
Vancouver has established fertility clinics that can provide IVF and related reproductive care. However, intended parents also need to consider how a gestational carrier will be identified, screened, and supported, along with the legal and practical arrangements involved.
This guide explains the relationship between IVF and surrogacy, introduces three established fertility clinics in Metro Vancouver, and shows how local fertility consulting can help intended parents plan their next steps.
What Is Gestational Surrogacy, and How Is It Related to IVF?
Many people have heard of surrogacy, but not everyone understands how closely gestational surrogacy is connected to IVF.
In a conventional IVF cycle, eggs are retrieved from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized with sperm in an embryology laboratory. The resulting embryos are cultured under carefully controlled conditions.
When an embryo is ready for transfer, it may be transferred into the uterus of the woman who intends to carry the pregnancy. Alternatively, suitable embryos may be frozen for future use.
Gestational surrogacy uses the same fundamental IVF laboratory process.
The difference is that the embryo is transferred into the uterus of another woman, known as a gestational carrier or surrogate, who carries the pregnancy for the intended parent or parents.
The gestational carrier does not provide the egg used to create the embryo. She therefore has no genetic relationship to the child through the egg.
This distinction is important because gestational surrogacy is different from traditional surrogacy, in which the person carrying the pregnancy also provides the egg.
A Simple Example: IVF Versus Gestational Surrogacy
Imagine a couple who completes an IVF cycle.
The fertility laboratory retrieves eggs, fertilizes them with sperm, and develops embryos.
If one of those embryos is transferred to the intended mother, this is a conventional IVF embryo transfer.
If the same embryo is transferred to an appropriately screened third-party gestational carrier, the treatment becomes part of a gestational surrogacy arrangement.
The laboratory technology used to create the embryo may be essentially the same. What changes is the person carrying the pregnancy and the additional medical, legal, and coordination requirements.
What About Single Men and Same-Sex Male Couples?
For a single man or a male same-sex couple, gestational surrogacy typically involves donor eggs and sperm from one of the intended parents.
An IVF laboratory creates embryos using the donated eggs and the selected sperm.
The resulting embryo may then be transferred to a gestational carrier after appropriate medical screening and legal preparation.
For couples in which neither partner can safely carry a pregnancy, gestational surrogacy may also be considered using their existing embryos or embryos created through additional fertility treatment.
Who May Need Surrogacy in Vancouver?
People explore surrogacy for many different reasons.
Some women have medical conditions affecting the uterus, including congenital absence of the uterus, significant uterine abnormalities, or a history of surgery that makes pregnancy impossible or medically inadvisable.
Others may have serious medical conditions for which pregnancy could create unacceptable health risks.
Some intended parents have experienced repeated pregnancy loss or unsuccessful fertility treatment. However, recurrent miscarriage does not automatically mean surrogacy is necessary. A fertility specialist should first evaluate the possible causes and discuss appropriate treatment options.
Single men and male same-sex couples may need both an egg donor and a gestational carrier to have a genetically related child.
Whatever the reason, intended parents usually need to understand two separate questions:
How will the embryos be created?
Who will carry the pregnancy, and how will the surrogacy arrangement be organized?
These questions involve different services and should be addressed separately.
Where Can You Create IVF Embryos in Vancouver?
Metro Vancouver has several established fertility clinics providing IVF and related reproductive services.
Three important options include Olive Fertility Centre, Grace Fertility, and the Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine (PCRM).
These are independent medical providers. Intended parents should contact each clinic directly to confirm current services, eligibility requirements, fees, and availability.
1. Olive Fertility Centre
Website: www.olivefertility.com
Olive Fertility Centre is an established fertility provider with a Vancouver location and other clinics in British Columbia.
Its services include fertility assessment, IVF, embryo freezing, donor-related treatment, and gestational carrier care.
Olive’s website describes a gestational carrier program involving medical and psychological screening, legal preparation, and embryo transfer.
It also provides information about external organizations that intended parents may consider when seeking a gestational carrier.
This illustrates an important distinction: a fertility clinic may provide the medical procedures involved in surrogacy without being the organization that finds a gestational carrier for every intended parent.
2. Grace Fertility and Reproductive Medicine
Website: www.fertilitywithgrace.com
Grace Fertility is located on West Broadway in Vancouver.
The clinic provides fertility investigations, IVF treatment, fertility preservation, and other reproductive healthcare services.
For intended parents considering gestational surrogacy, Grace may be one of the clinics to contact about embryo creation and relevant treatment options.
Patients should ask the clinic directly about its current gestational carrier policies, third-party reproduction requirements, and whether it provides referrals to outside support organizations.
3. Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine (PCRM)
Website: www.pacificfertility.ca
The Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine, commonly known as PCRM, has a Greater Vancouver clinic in Burnaby.
PCRM provides IVF, embryo freezing, donor-related treatment, and gestational surrogacy-related medical services.
For intended parents, this means PCRM may be involved in embryo creation, fertility treatment, and clinical aspects of a gestational carrier arrangement.
As with any clinic, the intended parents should confirm which services are provided directly and which arrangements must be made independently.
Which Vancouver IVF Clinic Should You Choose?
There is no single fertility clinic that is the right choice for every family.
Your decision may depend on your medical history, the need for donor eggs or sperm, whether you already have embryos, the clinic’s treatment protocols, and its experience with gestational carrier arrangements.
If surrogacy is your ultimate goal, tell the clinic early.
This allows you to ask about embryo storage, future transfer arrangements, gestational carrier screening requirements, and whether embryos could be transported to another licensed facility if necessary.
Why Creating IVF Embryos Is Only the First Part of Surrogacy
One of the biggest misunderstandings about surrogacy in Vancouver is the assumption that completing IVF automatically means the rest of the surrogacy journey is arranged.
It does not.
Creating embryos is an essential medical step, but a gestational surrogacy journey also requires an appropriately screened gestational carrier, legal preparation, and coordination throughout the process.
IVF Clinics Focus on Medical Treatment
Fertility clinics provide services such as ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo culture, cryopreservation, fertility assessment, and embryo transfer.
When a gestational carrier is involved, the treating clinic may also conduct or arrange relevant medical screening and prepare the carrier for embryo transfer.
The exact scope of services varies between clinics.
Finding a Gestational Carrier Is a Separate Challenge
For many intended parents, finding a suitable gestational carrier is one of the most difficult parts of the journey.
Some families already know a friend or relative who is willing to consider becoming a surrogate.
Others need to explore appropriate independent resources or organizations operating within the applicable legal framework.
For example, Olive Fertility’s public surrogacy information refers intended parents to external organizations they may consider.
This does not mean all Vancouver clinics offer identical referral arrangements, and it should not be assumed that a clinic will locate a surrogate on behalf of every patient.
Surrogacy Also Requires Legal and Practical Planning
Before an embryo transfer, intended parents and the gestational carrier generally need appropriate medical screening, counselling, informed consent, and independent legal advice.
There may also be questions about expenses, insurance, pregnancy monitoring, communication, and legal parentage after birth.
For arrangements involving more than one country, embryo transportation, parentage recognition, citizenship, and travel documentation may introduce additional complexity.
A complete surrogacy journey requires both fertility treatment and careful planning beyond the IVF laboratory.
Is Surrogacy Legal in Vancouver and British Columbia?
Yes. Altruistic surrogacy is permitted in British Columbia, subject to Canadian federal law and applicable provincial legislation.
However, the legal framework is important.
Canada’s Assisted Human Reproduction Act prohibits paying a person to act as a surrogate. It also prohibits paying third parties to arrange the services of a surrogate, including commercial matching arrangements.
Certain qualifying expenses may be reimbursed under federal regulations, provided the applicable documentation and other requirements are satisfied.
In British Columbia, the Family Law Act contains rules addressing parentage in gestational surrogacy arrangements, including requirements relating to agreements and consent after birth.
These laws are one reason intended parents should not assume that a Canadian fertility consulting company can legally sell commercial surrogate-matching services within Canada.
If intended parents are considering an arrangement outside Canada, the legal requirements of the relevant jurisdictions must be reviewed independently.
For authoritative information, consult Health Canada’s guidance on surrogacy prohibitions.
CanBaby does not provide legal advice. Clients should consult qualified independent lawyers before entering any surrogacy arrangement.
Already Have Frozen Embryos at a Vancouver IVF Clinic?
Some intended parents have already completed IVF at Olive, Grace, PCRM, or another fertility clinic.
They may have frozen embryos in storage but still be uncertain about how to proceed with surrogacy.
If this describes your situation, the first step is to understand your embryo inventory and the medical requirements for any proposed future transfer.
Important records may include embryo development reports, freezing dates, storage information, genetic testing results where applicable, and signed consent documents.
If embryos need to be transported between clinics, the sending and receiving laboratories must confirm the required documentation, shipping conditions, and acceptance policies.
Specialized cryogenic transport providers may be involved.
CanBaby’s professional background in embryology can help intended parents understand the laboratory terminology and organize questions for their treating clinic.
However, decisions about embryo suitability, transportation approval, and clinical treatment remain with the responsible medical professionals.
CanBaby: Local Surrogacy and Fertility Consulting in Burnaby, BC
For intended parents searching for surrogacy in Vancouver, it can be helpful to speak with a local professional who understands both IVF laboratory procedures and the broader planning process.
CanBaby Fertility Consulting is based at 9618 Cameron Street, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
Our office serves intended parents throughout Metro Vancouver, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, Coquitlam, New Westminster, and surrounding communities.
Unlike an IVF clinic, CanBaby is a fertility consulting and coordination business rather than a medical treatment facility.
Our role is to help intended parents understand their options, prepare for conversations with medical and legal professionals, and navigate relevant coordination questions.
Nearly 20 Years of Professional Embryology Experience
CanBaby is led by a fertility professional with nearly two decades of experience in assisted reproductive technology and embryology.
This experience provides a practical understanding of how IVF laboratories operate and what intended parents should know about embryo development, freezing, storage, and transfer preparation.
For clients who already have embryos, this background can be particularly valuable when reviewing laboratory terminology and understanding potential next steps.
In-Person Consultations in Burnaby
Surrogacy is a major decision, and not every question can be answered by reading information online.
CanBaby offers in-person consultations by appointment at our Burnaby office.
During a consultation, intended parents can discuss their fertility history, whether they already have embryos, their family-building goals, and the questions they need to address before proceeding.
We also offer online consultations for intended parents elsewhere in British Columbia and across Canada.
Guidance Beyond the IVF Laboratory
Some intended parents know exactly which fertility clinic they want to use but are unsure what happens after their embryos have been created.
Others have not yet started IVF and need to understand how donor eggs, embryo creation, and gestational surrogacy fit together.
CanBaby helps families understand these different stages and communicate with appropriate professionals.
Our services are provided within applicable legal requirements and do not include prohibited paid surrogate matching in Canada.
Learn more about CanBaby’s approach to fertility consulting and our services for intended parents.
How to Begin Your Surrogacy Journey in Vancouver
If you are considering gestational surrogacy, you do not need to make every decision immediately.
Start by reviewing your reproductive history and discussing your medical needs with a fertility specialist.
Next, determine whether you need to create embryos or already have frozen embryos that may be suitable for future treatment.
Ask your fertility clinic about its experience with gestational carrier arrangements, its screening policies, and the services it provides directly.
Obtain independent legal advice about any proposed surrogacy arrangement.
Finally, consider whether a local fertility consultation could help you organize your questions and understand the practical steps ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Surrogacy in Vancouver
Is surrogacy the same as IVF?
Gestational surrogacy uses IVF to create an embryo, but it also involves a third-party gestational carrier and additional medical, legal, and practical arrangements. IVF is the medical foundation, not the entire surrogacy process.
Can Olive Fertility help with gestational surrogacy?
Olive publicly describes a gestational carrier program that includes screening and embryo transfer. Its website also identifies external organizations that intended parents may consider for assistance finding a gestational carrier.
Does PCRM offer surrogacy-related medical services?
Yes. PCRM lists gestational surrogacy among its fertility services. Patients should contact the clinic to confirm its current requirements and the scope of support provided.
Can a Vancouver IVF clinic find a surrogate for me?
Do not assume that embryo creation includes surrogate matching. Clinics differ in their services, and Canada’s federal law restricts paid third-party surrogate arranging. Ask your clinic directly what support it provides and seek independent legal advice about available options.
Do I need to have frozen embryos before seeking a surrogacy consultation?
No. Some intended parents seek guidance before beginning IVF, while others already have frozen embryos and need to plan their next steps.
Where can I speak with a surrogacy consultant near Vancouver?
CanBaby Fertility Consulting offers in-person consultations by appointment at 9618 Cameron Street, Burnaby, BC, as well as online consultations.
Book a Local Fertility and Surrogacy Consultation in Burnaby
If you are considering surrogacy in Vancouver, understanding the difference between IVF treatment and the broader surrogacy process is an important first step.
You may already have embryos stored at a local clinic. You may need donor eggs and IVF. Or you may simply be trying to understand which options are appropriate for your circumstances.
CanBaby Fertility Consulting welcomes intended parents who want clear, professional guidance before making important decisions.
Our Burnaby office provides a convenient local meeting point for families throughout Metro Vancouver.
CanBaby Fertility Consulting
9618 Cameron Street, Burnaby, BC, Canada
Book an In-Person or Online Consultation
CanBaby provides fertility consulting and coordination services, not medical treatment or legal representation. Clinical decisions must be made by licensed healthcare professionals, and surrogacy arrangements must comply with applicable laws.