Surrogacy terminology: GS, IVF, and FET

GS means gestational surrogacy. A gestational carrier, also called a gestational surrogate, carries the pregnancy.

In gestational surrogacy, the carrier does not provide the egg used to form the embryo. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate provides the egg. Check which arrangement an English description discusses; “surrogate” alone does not identify gamete sources.

HRC’s third-party information discusses egg donors and gestational carriers. They have different roles: egg donation, embryo preparation, and matching are not the same stage.

IVF means in vitro fertilization: fertilization outside the body and related embryo culture.

ICSI means intracytoplasmic sperm injection, the injection of one sperm into an egg. HRC explains whether it is used and why for an individual case.

IVF is not another word for surrogacy. With existing embryos, an IVF record alone does not establish a need for another retrieval. Clinicians review the records before advising next steps.

Cryopreservation means freezing cells or tissue for preservation, including eggs, sperm, or embryos. For “frozen,” “stored,” or “cryopreserved,” check the object.

Frozen eggs and embryos are different states: eggs have not yet been fertilized, while embryos are at a post-fertilization stage. Tell the team what is stored and where instead of only saying something is frozen.

For embryos at another clinic, records acceptance, storage, and later treatment conditions still need separate confirmation. A freezing record is not approval for receipt and treatment.

FET means frozen embryo transfer: transferring a previously frozen and subsequently warmed embryo into the uterus. It differs from transporting embryos between institutions.

In gestational surrogacy, FET involves the carrier’s medical preparation and embryo transfer. Ask whether a date is proposed or confirmed, what preparation remains, and who communicates changes.

Follow HRC’s individual instructions for dates, medication, and attendance. We help coordinate communication; a shorthand term does not establish medication instructions or transfer eligibility.

Embryo transfer is the clinical placement of an embryo into the uterus. Implantation is the biological process of attachment to the uterine lining.

Completed transfer does not confirm implantation, clinical pregnancy, or live birth. Continue testing as instructed and ask clinicians to interpret results. Do not infer pregnancy from a loose translation of “implant.”

Likewise, per-transfer rates, pregnancy measures, and live-birth measures have distinct definitions and populations.

Keep the complete sentence, document date, sender, and surrounding information. A single abbreviation can omit “proposed,” “pending review,” or “appointment confirmed.” Use approved clinical channels for private reports rather than the public inquiry form.

• Does “frozen” describe eggs or embryos?
• Does “transfer” mean transport or a medical procedure here?
• Is this date provisional or a confirmed appointment?
• Who interprets the result and what is next?

We coordinate records and appointments for surrogacy. HRC explains terms in personal reports, treatment plans, and results.