Expanding the Possibilities of Parenthood Through Third-Party Reproduction
For some patients, pregnancy using their own eggs or sperm may not be possible or may not provide the best chance of success. Third-party reproduction offers additional pathways to parenthood by using donors or the assistance of a gestational carrier.
These treatments combine advanced reproductive technology with highly personalized care. Every patient’s situation is unique, and our fertility specialist takes the time to understand your goals, medical history, and family-building plans before recommending the right approach.
Third-party reproduction may involve:
- Donor eggs
- Donor sperm
- Donor embryos
- Gestational surrogacy
At Positive Steps Fertility, we help patients understand each family-building option, including the medical process, timelines, and considerations involved, so they can make informed decisions with confidence.
We work exclusively with gestational carriers rather than traditional surrogates. A gestational carrier carries a pregnancy created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) using an embryo from the intended parent(s) and/or donor egg and sperm. Because the gestational carrier does not use her own egg, she has no genetic or biological relationship to the child she carries. In contrast, traditional surrogacy involves the surrogate using her own egg, making her the child’s genetic mother. Gestational carrier arrangements are the current standard of care in assisted reproduction because they provide a clear distinction between the carrier and the genetic parentage of the child and are the approach our fertility clinic supports.
Who May Benefit From Third-Party Reproduction?
Third-party reproduction can help patients overcome a wide range of fertility challenges. These family building options may be considered for:
- Women with diminished ovarian reserve or reduced egg quality
- Patients experiencing premature ovarian insufficiency
- Individuals with genetic conditions they wish to avoid passing on
- Men with severe male factor infertility
- Couples who have experienced repeated IVF challenges
- Individuals or couples needing donor sperm or donor eggs
- Same-sex couples building biological families
- Single parents pursuing pregnancy
- Patients who are unable to safely carry a pregnancy
Our fertility specialist, Dr. Preston Parry, will evaluate your medical history, reproductive goals, and personal preferences to determine which pathway may provide the best opportunity for pregnancy.
Third-Party Reproduction Options at Positive Steps Fertility
Egg Donation
Egg donation allows a patient or couple to achieve pregnancy using eggs donated by another individual. Donor eggs are fertilized with sperm through in vitro fertilization (IVF), creating embryos that are then transferred into the intended parent’s uterus or gestational carrier.
Egg donation may provide an opportunity for pregnancy when egg quantity, egg quality, or genetic factors make using a patient’s own eggs unlikely to result in a successful outcome.
Egg donation may be recommended for:
- Advanced maternal age
- Diminished ovarian reserve
- Premature ovarian insufficiency
- Poor egg quality
- Repeated IVF failure
- Genetic concerns involving the patient’s eggs
Egg donors undergo careful screening that may include medical history review, genetic testing, infectious disease screening, and evaluation of overall reproductive health.
Become an Egg Donor and Help Expand the Possibilities of Parenthood
Sperm Donation
Sperm donation uses donor sperm to help individuals or couples achieve pregnancy through fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
This option can provide a path to parenthood for patients experiencing male infertility or for those who need donor sperm to build their family.
Sperm donation may be recommended for:
- Severe male factor infertility
- Absence of sperm production
- Genetic concerns
- Single women pursuing pregnancy
- Same-sex female couples
- Couples who are unable to use partner sperm
Donor sperm providers are carefully screened according to established medical guidelines to evaluate health history, genetic risks, and infectious disease concerns.
Embryo Donation
Embryo donation provides an opportunity for individuals or couples to use embryos that were created during another patient’s IVF treatment and are no longer needed by the original family.
These donated embryos are transferred into the recipient’s uterus after preparation for pregnancy. Embryo donation allows patients who cannot create viable embryos themselves to experience pregnancy and childbirth.
Embryo donation may be recommended for:
- Patients unable to create viable embryos
- Severe egg and/or sperm-related infertility
- Genetic concerns
- Multiple unsuccessful IVF attempts
- Individuals or couples seeking an alternative to creating embryos with donor eggs or sperm
Embryo donation is a unique family-building option because it involves both receiving an embryo and carrying the pregnancy.
Gestational Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy allows intended parents to achieve pregnancy when carrying a pregnancy themselves is not possible or medically recommended.
A gestational carrier carries an embryo created through IVF. Because the embryo is created using the intended parent’s or donor’s egg and sperm, the gestational carrier does not have a genetic relationship with the baby.
Gestational surrogacy involves coordination between fertility specialists, intended parents, gestational carriers, legal professionals, and other healthcare providers to support a safe and well-planned journey.
Gestational surrogacy may be recommended for:
- Patients without a uterus
- Medical conditions that make pregnancy unsafe
- Recurrent pregnancy loss
- Same-sex male couples
- Individuals unable to carry a pregnancy
Understanding the Differences Between Third-Party Reproduction Options
| Third-Party Reproduction Option | Uses | May Be Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| Egg Donation | Donor eggs + IVF | Egg quality concerns, diminished ovarian reserve, genetic concerns |
| Sperm Donation | Donor sperm + IUI or IVF | Male infertility, single parents, same-sex couples |
| Embryo Donation | Donated IVF embryos | Patients unable to create viable embryos |
| Gestational Surrogacy | Gestational carrier + IVF embryo | Patients unable to safely carry a pregnancy |
Some patients may use more than one third-party reproduction option. For example, a patient may pursue gestational surrogacy using donor eggs, donor sperm, or donated embryos depending on their individual circumstances.
During your consultation, our fertility specialist will explain each pathway and help determine the approach that best aligns with your medical needs and personal goals.
Compassionate Third-Party Reproduction Care in Mississippi and Louisiana
At Positive Steps Fertility, we provide guidance throughout each stage of the third-party reproduction process, helping patients move forward with clarity and confidence.
Our fertility clinic provides:
- Comprehensive fertility evaluations
- Personalized fertility treatment planning
- IVF coordination
- Donor pathway guidance
- Collaboration with a highly trained reproductive specialist and other care providers
- Support throughout the fertility treatment process
Led by Dr. Preston Parry, a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist and inventor of the Parryscope® female fertility assessment, Positive Steps Fertility combines advanced reproductive medicine with compassionate patient care.
Where Every Family-Building Journey Begins With a Positive Step
Positive Steps Fertility proudly supports patients throughout Mississippi and Louisiana, including the South, North Louisiana, and the Ark-La-Tex region, with compassionate third-party reproduction care.
With fertility clinics in Madison, Gulfport, Starkville, Hattiesburg, Shreveport, Slidell, and Monroe, we’re here to provide expert guidance, answer your questions, and help you take each positive step toward the family you’ve been dreaming of.
Frequently Asked Questions About Third-Party Reproduction
What is third-party reproduction?
Third-party reproduction refers to fertility treatments that involve donated eggs, donated sperm, donated embryos, or a gestational carrier to help individuals or couples achieve pregnancy.
What is the difference between egg donation and embryo donation?
Egg donation uses eggs from a donor that are fertilized with sperm to create embryos through IVF. Embryo donation involves receiving embryos that were already created during another patient’s IVF treatment.
Is a gestational surrogate genetically related to the baby?
No. In gestational surrogacy, the carrier becomes pregnant with an embryo created through IVF and does not provide the egg. Therefore, the gestational carrier does not have a genetic relationship with the child.
Who needs donor eggs?
Donor eggs may be recommended for patients with reduced egg quality, diminished ovarian reserve, premature ovarian insufficiency, advanced maternal age, repeated IVF failure, or certain genetic concerns.
Can same-sex couples use third-party reproduction?
Yes. Third-party reproduction can provide family-building options for same-sex couples. Depending on the situation, treatment may involve donor sperm, donor eggs, embryo donation, and/or gestational surrogacy.
How successful are third-party reproduction treatments?
Success rates vary depending on several factors, including the type of treatment, age, embryo quality, and individual medical circumstances. Our fertility specialist can provide more personalized expectations based on your specific situation. Our fertility specialist, Dr. Preston Parry, offers a wide range of treatment options, including fertility evaluations, Parryscope® female fertility testing, ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), fertility preservation, third-party reproduction options, and other advanced reproductive treatments. During your initial consultation, Dr. Parry will determine the most appropriate fertility treatment based on your diagnosis, medical history, and family-building goals.
Whether you are just beginning your fertility journey or exploring advanced infertility treatment options, Positive Steps Fertility provides personalized care close to home.
Is third-party reproduction legal in Mississippi and Louisiana?
Third-party reproduction laws vary by state and may change over time. In Mississippi and Louisiana, fertility options such as donor eggs, donor sperm, donor embryos, and gestational surrogacy may involve important medical, legal, and contractual considerations. Because assisted reproductive technology laws can be complex, it is important for patients to work with experienced fertility specialists and qualified reproductive law professionals who can provide guidance based on their unique circumstances.
At Positive Steps Fertility, we support patients throughout Mississippi and Louisiana as they explore third-party reproduction options, including donor pathways and gestational surrogacy. Our fertility clinic provides personalized medical guidance, coordinates fertility care, and helps patients better understand each step of their family-building journey.
Patients considering third-party reproduction should speak with our fertility specialist, Dr. Preston Parry, and reproductive law attorney Ashley W. Pittman, J.D., LL.M., who has experience guiding families through the legal considerations involved with third-party reproduction in Mississippi and Louisiana.
