Clear answers, before you ask.
The questions intended parents ask us most often — about the procedure, the medical side and the law in Georgia. If yours is not here, write to us.
Before and during the programme
How is a surrogate mother assigned to our programme?
We propose a surrogate mother to you, and you confirm the candidate with our coordination manager. Once you have confirmed her, your coordinator arranges a video interview.
How does a programme with egg donation work?
Once your dates are agreed, you start choosing your egg donor: we send you two or three donor profiles that match your preferences, and you select a first-choice donor and a backup. You then decide the date of your visit and send us copies of your passports, your marriage certificate, your flight tickets and your medical tests. During the first visit you sign the contract and, when possible, meet the surrogate mother. After the first payment, egg retrieval, fertilisation and embryo transfer can take place.
How does a programme with my own eggs work?
When the intended mother provides her own eggs, please plan a stay of around 20 days in Georgia during the first visit. Our IVF doctor needs a complete screening of both parents to approve them for the programme. After the screening, you send us copies of your passports, your marriage certificate and your flight tickets.
How does a programme with frozen embryos work?
You arrange for your embryos to be shipped to the laboratory we work with. The clinic storing them must prepare a detailed report: number of embryos and straws, the grade of each embryo, the day of freezing and the freezing method, together with both parents’ test results for hepatitis B and C, HIV and syphilis. Once the embryos have arrived, you send us copies of your passports and marriage certificate so we can prepare the contracts.
How is pregnancy confirmed?
An hCG blood test is done 14–16 days after the embryo transfer, and you receive the result the same day or the next morning. A positive result is confirmed with a second test two days later. The first ultrasound follows about two weeks after the transfer.
What happens after the pregnancy is confirmed?
Our team carries out the regular medical screening of the surrogate mother and monitors her health. You can ask questions or share concerns at any time, and you are welcome to visit Georgia to see your surrogate mother during the pregnancy.
What happens if an attempt is not successful?
If the hCG test is positive but the first ultrasound does not detect a heartbeat, this is considered an implantation failure and you move on to the next attempt. If the pregnancy stops developing later, it is considered a miscarriage. In every case, a new attempt requires your consent; whether it is included depends on your contract.
How many embryos can we expect?
Nobody can guarantee a number of embryos in advance: it only becomes clear after egg retrieval, fertilisation and cultivation.
What happens to the embryos that are not transferred?
A maximum of two embryos is transferred per attempt. Any remaining embryos are frozen and kept in the laboratory for future use.
How many times do we need to travel to Georgia?
Usually twice: once to provide the biological material, and once to take your baby home. If you are shipping frozen embryos, you can issue a notarised and authenticated Limited Power of Attorney and travel to Georgia only once, to take your baby home.
Do we need a visa?
Citizens of the European Union and the United States can visit Georgia without a visa for up to one year. For other nationalities, please check with the Georgian embassy or consulate in your country.
Where do we stay during the first visit?
We arrange comfortable accommodation in Tbilisi for your first visit.
Is Georgia safe?
Yes. Georgia is a safe country for visitors. As in any city abroad, use ordinary caution — especially with road traffic, which has its own rhythm.
Medical questions
What is your success rate?
According to our own statistics, the success rate is very high — over 95% when donor oocytes are used. Many parents succeed at the first attempt, although individual factors always play a part.
Which tests do egg donors and surrogate mothers undergo?
Evaluation of height, weight, blood type and Rhesus factor; screening for smoking, alcohol and drugs; interview and pelvic ultrasound; swabs and Pap test, with tests for mycoplasma genitalium, chlamydia and trichomonas; a psychiatrist’s assessment; tests for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B and C; breast ultrasound; TORCH screen; a paediatric report on the surrogate mother’s own child; a general practitioner’s assessment; and a final consultation with the reproductive specialist.
How many attempts will we need?
It varies from couple to couple. It depends on the surrogate mother’s health and on the quality of the biological material, so your doctor will discuss realistic expectations with you.
How can we be sure the surrogate mother does not smoke, drink or take drugs?
Women who smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs are not accepted into any reproductive programme. Every surrogate mother also signs a contract that regulates her behaviour during the pregnancy, with penalties — up to cancellation of the contract — if it is breached.
How is the surrogate mother monitored during the pregnancy?
After a positive hCG test, an early pregnancy scan is scheduled about 15 days later to check the number of gestational sacs and the heartbeat. After that, a full screening is carried out every six weeks.
Which supplements does the surrogate mother receive?
A calcium supplement with vitamin D3, a multivitamin supplement (including iron, folic acid, vitamins A, C, D, B2 and B12, zinc and magnesium) and an iron supplement.
Legal questions
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a certification stamp issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of a country that has signed the Hague Convention. You will need it to authenticate the marriage certificate you send to us.
How do we get a passport for our baby?
We advise you to contact your embassy as soon as you start, to find out exactly which documents it requires to register your child. Our lawyer then assists you with the passport application.
Does the surrogate mother have a genetic link to the baby?
No. Under Georgian law the surrogate mother cannot be genetically related to the baby, and she cannot also be the egg donor for your programme. We strongly recommend that at least one parent is genetically related to the baby, as it makes citizenship and passport procedures easier.
Can the surrogate mother claim any rights to the baby?
No. Under Georgian law the surrogate mother has no parental rights. Once the baby is registered with only your names on the birth certificate, she cannot claim the baby, and you have no obligation to meet her afterwards.
Does Georgian law apply in the same way to foreign citizens?
Yes. Georgian legislation does not limit foreign citizens from carrying out surrogacy programmes with Georgian surrogate mothers.
When is the contract with the surrogate mother signed?
Georgian law requires the contract between the intended parents and the surrogate mother to be signed before the embryo transfer. It is this contract that allows you to register the baby under your names. If a new surrogate mother is needed after several unsuccessful attempts, a new contract is signed; a Limited Power of Attorney issued during your first visit allows us to do this without your presence in Georgia.
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