Having one frozen embryo left doesn’t disqualify you from surrogacy—it just means you need to find the right agency that understands your unique situation.

While some agencies may decline single-embryo cases due to risks, others specialize in helping families maximize their chances of success, even when working with only one embryo left to transfer.

With careful planning, the right medical team, and an experienced agency, your single embryo could be the one that completes your family.

Connect with a surrogacy specialist to navigate your single-embryo journeys

Based on our research and experience helping families navigate surrogacy, this guide will help you understand which agencies work with families who have one embryo left, what to expect during the process, and how to prepare financially and emotionally for this important decision.

Can You Use a Surrogacy Agency If You Only Have One Embryo?

Is it possible to find a surrogate if I only have one embryo? Absolutely. While having one frozen embryo left does present unique considerations, it’s definitely not a barrier to working with a surrogacy agency. Many agencies regularly help intended parents in your exact situation, and success rates for single embryo transfers can be quite encouraging when working with quality embryos and experienced medical teams.

The key is understanding that not all agencies approach single-embryo cases the same way. Some may have policies that require multiple embryos or multiple transfer attempts, while others recognize that many families achieve success with their first and only transfer.

What Makes Single-Embryo Cases Different

When you have only one embryo left to transfer, agencies and medical teams must consider several factors:

• Embryo quality grading (AA, AB, BB classifications)
• Previous transfer history and any patterns of success or challenges
• Surrogate selection criteria to maximize compatibility
• Timing optimization for the transfer procedure
• Contingency planning if the transfer doesn’t result in pregnancy

What are my options for surrogacy with one embryo left? Your options depend largely on your embryo’s quality, your medical history, and your willingness to work with agencies that specialize in these situations.

Success Rates with Single Embryo Transfers

Many intended parents worry that having one embryo left significantly reduces their chances of success. However, success rates for single embryo transfers depend more on embryo quality and the expertise of your medical team than on the number of embryos available.

High-quality embryos (graded AA or AB) can have success rates comparable to multiple-embryo transfers, especially when:

• The embryo has been properly tested for chromosomal abnormalities
• The surrogate has been thoroughly screened and prepared
• The transfer is timed optimally based on the surrogate’s cycle
• The medical team has extensive experience with frozen embryo transfers

Why Some Agencies Decline One-Embryo Journeys

Understanding why some agencies hesitate to work with families who have one frozen embryo left can help you identify which agencies are truly equipped to support your journey versus those that may not be the right fit.

Risk Management Concerns

Some agencies view single-embryo cases as higher risk for several reasons:

• Financial liability considerations: If the transfer fails, some agencies worry about disappointed intended parents requesting refunds or additional services that weren’t initially planned.
• Surrogate availability: Agencies may prefer to reserve their most experienced surrogates for cases with multiple embryos, and surrogates may hesitate to take on the risk of a one-embryo family.
• Medical complexity: Single-embryo transfers require careful timing and optimization, which some agencies may not feel equipped to manage.

Agency Business Models

Do any surrogacy agencies accept families with just one embryo? Yes, but it often depends on the agency’s business model and expertise level.

Some agencies operate on volume-based models where they prefer cases with multiple transfer opportunities. Others focus on personalized care and are willing to invest the extra attention that single-embryo cases may require.

The agencies that decline one embryo left cases often do so because:

• They lack experience optimizing single-embryo transfers
• Their contracts aren’t structured to handle single-transfer scenarios
• They don’t have relationships with medical teams specialized in embryo optimization
• Their surrogate network may not include women who are comfortable with single-embryo transfers

What This Means for You

If an agency immediately says they can’t work with your one frozen embryo left, it may actually be doing you a favor by being upfront about their limitations. The agencies that are eager to work with your situation are likely to have:

• Specific experience with single-embryo success stories
• Flexible contract structures that account for your unique needs
• Strong relationships with fertility clinics that optimize single transfers
• Surrogates who are comfortable and experienced with single-embryo journeys

Agencies That Do Work with Single Embryo Intended Parents

Through our analysis of the surrogacy industry, we’ve identified several agencies that have built their reputations on successfully helping families with only one embryo left to transfer. These agencies understand that your single embryo may be just as viable as multiple embryos, and they’ve developed specialized approaches to maximize success.

American Surrogacy: Our Top Recommendation

Based on our research, American Surrogacy consistently stands out as one of the best agencies for intended parents who have one embryo left. Their approach can be tailored to your needs in many cases.

What makes American Surrogacy particularly effective for single-embryo cases:

• Specialized matching process: They carefully match intended parents with surrogates who are comfortable with single-embryo transfers and understand the unique emotional investment involved.
• Medical team coordination: American Surrogacy works with fertility clinics to ensure optimal timing, preparation, and transfer techniques specifically for single-embryo cases, and lets you make the decision of the clinic you want to work with.
• Flexible contract options: Rather than requiring multiple transfer attempts, they structure agreements that acknowledge the reality of working with one frozen embryo left.
• Comprehensive support: Understanding that single-embryo transfers can feel more emotionally intense, they provide counseling and support services throughout the process.

What Our Research Shows About Single-Embryo Friendly Agencies

Will an agency still work with me if I have just one embryo? Based on our experience, the right agency will not only work with you but will be enthusiastic about maximizing your chances of success. Look for agencies that offer:

• Specialized screening processes for both surrogates and intended parents
• Flexible financial arrangements that account for single-transfer scenarios
• Detailed medical protocols for embryo optimization
• Emotional support services tailored to single-embryo journeys

Understanding the Risks: What Happens If the Transfer Fails?

When you have one frozen embryo left, it’s important to understand and plan for the possibility that the transfer may not result in a successful pregnancy. While this is difficult to consider, having a clear plan can help you feel more confident about moving forward.

Medical Considerations

How risky is it to use a surrogate with a single embryo? The medical risks of the transfer procedure itself are the same whether you’re transferring one embryo or multiple embryos. However, the emotional and financial stakes feel higher when you know this is your only opportunity with your current embryo.

Factors that can affect transfer success include:

• Embryo quality and genetic testing results
• Surrogate’s medical history and previous pregnancy outcomes
• Timing of the transfer within the surrogate’s cycle
• Environmental factors like stress levels and clinic expertise
• Post-transfer care and monitoring protocols

Emotional Preparation

Many intended parents find that having only one embryo left to transfer intensifies their emotional experience. Common feelings include:

• Heightened anxiety about the transfer process
• Increased focus on every detail and milestone
• Pressure to make everything “perfect”
• Fear about what happens if this attempt doesn’t work

Financial Contingency Planning

Before proceeding with surrogacy when you have one embryo left, consider these financial scenarios:

• If the transfer is successful: You’ll complete your surrogacy journey according to your original contract terms.
• If the transfer fails: You may need to decide whether to pursue additional IVF cycles to create more embryos, explore donor options, or consider other family-building alternatives.

Some agencies offer partial refund programs or reduced-rate subsequent cycles if your single embryo transfer doesn’t result in pregnancy. Others may provide credits toward future services or recommend partner agencies for additional IVF cycles.

Creating Your Backup Plan

What are the chances of success with one embryo and a surrogate? While success rates vary, having a backup plan can help you feel more confident about proceeding:

• Research additional IVF options in case you need to create more embryos
• Understand your insurance coverage for additional fertility treatments
• Explore financing options for potential future cycles
• Consider counseling services to help process different outcomes
• Connect with support groups for families with similar experiences

Financial Considerations When You Only Have One Embryo Left

The financial landscape changes when you have one frozen embryo left because traditional surrogacy pricing models often take into account multiple transfer attempts. Understanding these unique financial considerations helps you make informed decisions and avoid unexpected costs.

Cost Structure Differences

What are my options for surrogacy with one embryo left? Financially, you have several options, but they require careful evaluation:

• Traditional full-cycle contracts: Some agencies still offer complete surrogacy packages even for single-embryo cases, which may include provisions for additional transfers if the first fails.
• Per-transfer pricing: Other agencies offer more flexible pricing that charges separately for each transfer attempt, which can be more cost-effective if you’re confident in your single embryo.
• Hybrid arrangements: Some agencies create custom contracts that balance guaranteed services with per-transfer flexibility.

Hidden Costs to Consider

When you have only one embryo left to transfer, certain costs may be higher or different than in typical surrogacy cases:

• Enhanced medical monitoring to optimize transfer timing
• Additional psychological support for the higher emotional stakes
• Premium surrogate selection if you choose more experienced candidates
• Extended legal consultations for custom contract arrangements
• Emergency medical coverage in case transfer complications arise

Insurance and Risk Management

Working with one embryo left requires careful attention to insurance coverage:

• Surrogate insurance: Ensure the policy covers pregnancy-related care even if conceived through a single embryo transfer.
• Fertility insurance: Check whether your policy covers additional IVF cycles if you need to create more embryos later.
• Agency guarantees: Understand what guarantees, if any, the agency provides for single-embryo transfers.

Financing Options for Single-Embryo Cases

Several financing companies recognize that families with one frozen embryo left may need different financial solutions:

• Reduced initial payments with success-based completion fees
• Flexible payment schedules that align with transfer timing
• Contingency financing for additional cycles if needed
• Partial refund programs if the transfer doesn’t result in live birth

How We Can Help You Navigate This Unique Path

Having one frozen embryo left doesn’t mean your family-building journey is more difficult—it just means you need specialized guidance to make the most of this opportunity. As independent consultants who have helped hundreds of families navigate surrogacy decisions, we understand that the right support system can help you feel confident, prepared, and optimistic about your chances of success.

Our Recommendations for Moving Forward

The decision to proceed with surrogacy when you have one frozen embryo left is deeply personal, but it’s also a decision that many families make successfully every year. Based on our experience, the key is finding an agency that:

• Genuinely understands your unique situation
• Has specific experience with single-embryo success stories
• Offers transparent pricing for your scenario
• Provides comprehensive support throughout the process
• Maintains realistic but optimistic expectations

What are the chances of success with one embryo and a surrogate? While every situation is unique, our research shows that working with the right agency can help you maximize those chances while feeling supported regardless of the outcome.

Ready to Connect with the Right Agency?

If you have one frozen embryo left and are considering surrogacy, you don’t have to navigate this decision alone. Based on our experience helping families in similar situations, agencies that specialize in single-embryo cases can help you understand your realistic chances of success, plan for different outcomes, and feel confident about moving forward.

Your single embryo could be the one that completes your family. Let us connect you with experienced professionals who understand exactly how to help you maximize this opportunity.

We’ve found that the right agency will never make you feel like your one embryo left is a limitation—instead, they’ll help you see it as your next opportunity to welcome the child you’ve been hoping for.