---
title: "Third-party reproduction at Sutter Health"
description: "Sutter's third-party reproduction services offer options like egg, sperm and embryo donation, as well as surrogacy, to help grow families."
url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/third-party-reproduction"
---

1.  [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) /
2.  [Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services) /
3.  Third party reproduction

# Third-party reproduction

If you need donated eggs, sperm, embryos or a gestational carrier to start your family, we can help. We follow strict industry standards when coordinating third-party reproduction services for donors and recipients.

[Find a fertility specialist](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_affiliate.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Palo+Alto+Foundation+Medical+Group%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_providerSpecialties.specialty.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Reproductive+Endocrinology+and+Infertility+%28REI%29%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&staticFilters=%5B%7B%22displayName%22%3A%22Sutter+Health+provider%22%2C%22selected%22%3Atrue%2C%22filter%22%3A%7B%22kind%22%3A%22fieldValue%22%2C%22fieldId%22%3A%22c_providerIsSutterHealth%22%2C%22matcher%22%3A%22%24eq%22%2C%22value%22%3Atrue%7D%7D%5D&verticalKey=healthcare_professionals)

## Why choose Sutter?

Advances in third-party reproduction have made parenthood possible for many people who otherwise wouldn’t have the option. We’re proud to support LGBTQIA+ families and others who want to expand their families. Whether you’re the person longing to get pregnant or an individual wanting to make that dream possible for another person, our state-of-the-art fertility clinic and embryology lab in Palo Alto can help with both counseling and coordination.

We offer our own egg donor registry and a comprehensive egg donor program where all egg donors are thoroughly screened. In all cases, we follow the highest standards of privacy and safety, according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine's guidelines.

We can also help connect you to a local, reputable surrogacy agency if you wish to find a gestational carrier. Once the parent-surrogate relationship is established, we’ll work with you to facilitate any fertility services you need.

## By the numbers

### 5

endocrinology and infertility specialists

are committed to personalized care, planning and treatment for each patient. 

### 40+

years of fertility care

provided by our advanced, comprehensive embryology lab, which opened in 1984 in Palo Alto.

### 1

state-of-the-art embryology lab

earns the top accreditation from the College of American Pathologies for zero deficiencies each year.

### 10,000+

babies

have been born to parents who sought treatment with us since our lab opened in 1984.

## Get in touch

If you need help growing your family, call our fertility clinic at [800-597](tel:+18005972234)[**\-2234**](tel:+18005972234) or fill out our information request form.

[Talk with our care team](https://feedback.sutterhealth.org/f/146968/b960/)

## Treatments

-   Egg Donation
-   Embryo Donation
-   Gestational Surrogacy
-   Sperm Donation

![microscope-research-and-laboratory](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/GME/microscope-research-and-laboratory.jpg?h=1257&iar=0&w=2384)

## Become a donor

Becoming an egg or embryo donor is a generous act that makes parenthood possible for people experiencing infertility. For more information, please call our Donor Program Coordinator at [800-597-2234](tel:+18005972234).

[Call 800-597-2234](tel:+18005972234)

![microscope-research-and-laboratory](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/GME/microscope-research-and-laboratory.jpg?h=1257&iar=0&w=2384)

## Our fertility success rates

Review how our success rates per age group compares to the national averages, including outcomes for frozen and fresh embryo transfers.

[View fertility outcomes](https://www.sutterhealth.org/about-us/quality-care/service-outcomes/fertility-outcomes)

## Classes & events

[View all classes & events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/find-event-results?limit=10&query=%22%5C%22Infertility%5C%22+%5C%22Fertility%5C%22%22&verticalKey=events)

-   Class
    
    ### [A CPMC Perinatal Offering - Understanding Everything Multiples eClass (ANYTIME ONLINE)](https://ewp.seatrobot.com/66f32bee33ea82483f1ddb0b/681231cbdb08113dd5dc81f7/)
    
    This self-paced, online class is available for 9 months after initial log-in and covers tips for pregnancy, delivery and postpartum, as they relate to having multiples
    
-   Class
    
    ### [CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION - Mills-Peninsula - January 2027 Series (Hybrid)](https://ewp.seatrobot.com/66f32bee33ea82483f1ddb0b/6acff358a94fe28b8d833920/)
    
    Monday, January 4, 2027
    
-   Class
    
    ### [CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION - Mills-Peninsula - March Series (Hybrid)](https://ewp.seatrobot.com/66f32bee33ea82483f1ddb0b/6acff662a94fe28b8d833b96/)
    
    Monday, March 1, 2027
    

[View all classes & events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/find-event-results?limit=10&query=%22%5C%22Infertility%5C%22+%5C%22Fertility%5C%22%22&verticalKey=events)

## Sutter spotlight

Health & wellness

### [How to prepare for pregnancy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/how-to-prepare-for-pregnancy)

Learn how to prepare your body for pregnancy, including what to do before trying to get pregnant and healthy habits that may support fertility.

Health & wellness

### [How to Cope With Infertility Treatment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/how-to-cope-with-infertility-treatment)

Practice mindfulness to help navigate the stress of infertility treatments.

Health & wellness

### [8 Ways to Boost Men's Fertility](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/8-ways-to-boost-mens-fertility)

Make healthy choices now to increase your odds of becoming a dad.

## Frequently asked questions

**What happens to unused embryos?**

We offer several options for handling unused embryos, including:

-   Donate frozen embryos to someone looking to build a family.
-   Donate embryos to research that can lead to the development of life-saving therapies.
-   Discard frozen embryos.
-   Store frozen embryos indefinitely at a long-term cryostorage facility.

**What sperm banks does Sutter Health work with?**

Sperm banks must comply with rigorous regulatory requirements from the state of California and the FDA. Due to California tissue bank licensing requirements, we only accept specimens from the sperm banks listed here:

-   California Cryobank in Los Angeles: [310-443-5244](tel:+13104435244); [www.cryobank.com](https://www.cryobank.com/ "Please note you are about to leave the Sutter Health website")
-   California Cryobank in Palo Alto, California: [650-324-1900](tel:+16503241900); [www.cryobank.com](https://www.cryobank.com/ "Please note you are about to leave the Sutter Health website")
-   Fairfax Cryobank in Fairfax, Virginia: [800-338-8407](tel:+18003388407); [www.fairfaxcryobank.com](https://www.fairfaxcryobank.com/ "Please note you are about to leave the Sutter Health website")
-   Cryogenics in Roseville, Minnesota: [651-489-8000](tel:+16514898000); [www.cryolab.com](https://www.cryolab.com/ "Please note you are about to leave the Sutter Health website")
-   Cyros International in New York City: [212-430-5450](tel:+12124305450); [usa.cryosinternational.com](https://www.cryosinternational.com/en-us/us-shop/client/donor-sperm/using-a-sperm-donor-to-get-pregnant/ "Please note you are about to leave the Sutter Health website")
-   Pacific Reproductive Services in San Francisco: [415-487-2288](tel:+14154872288); [www.pacrepro.com](https://www.pacrepro.com/ "Please note you are about to leave the Sutter Health website")
-   Pacific Reproductive Services in Pasadena, California: [626-432-6869](tel:+16264326869); [www.pacrepro.com](https://www.pacrepro.com/ "Please note you are about to leave the Sutter Health website")
-   The Sperm Bank of California in Berkeley, California: [510-841-1858](tel:+15108411858), [www.thespermbankofca.org](https://www.thespermbankofca.org/ "Please note you are about to leave the Sutter Health website")
-   Xytex in Augusta, Georgia: [706-736-9720](tel:+17067369720); [www.xytex.com](https://www.xytex.com/ "Please note you are about to leave the Sutter Health website")

Please call [800-597-2234](tel:800-597-2234) for more information.

**What are the requirements for using donated embryos?**

Your donor cycle coordinator can explain the necessary steps in detail. Before moving forward with donated embryos, you’re required to: 

-   Meet with a fertility specialist for an embryo donation cycle consultation.
-   Undergo FDA-required infectious disease screening.
-   Undergo reproductive tests to determine the best placement location and cycle timing before the actual embryo transfer occurs. 

**Am I responsible for embryo cryostorage fees?**

Prospective donors are responsible for all embryo cryostorage fees until all requirements for embryo donation are met and the contractual agreement transferring embryo custody to Sutter is finalized. Upon finalization of the contractual agreement, donor embryo recipients assume all costs associated with screening and preparation for embryo donation.   
However, if the embryos are determined to be ineligible for donation, or if the donor decides to not move forward with the donation during the screening process, the donor retains responsibility for all costs and continued cryostorage fees.

Erica Cox shares her five-year journey to motherhood — the ups and downs of hope and grief, and the invaluable support and guidance from her care team.

## More paths to parenthood

Explore options at Sutter, including donor services and gestational carriers, with guidance tailored to your needs.

[Find a fertility specialist](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_affiliate.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Palo+Alto+Foundation+Medical+Group%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_providerSpecialties.specialty.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Reproductive+Endocrinology+and+Infertility+%28REI%29%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&staticFilters=%5B%7B%22displayName%22%3A%22Sutter+Health+provider%22%2C%22selected%22%3Atrue%2C%22filter%22%3A%7B%22kind%22%3A%22fieldValue%22%2C%22fieldId%22%3A%22c_providerIsSutterHealth%22%2C%22matcher%22%3A%22%24eq%22%2C%22value%22%3Atrue%7D%7D%5D&verticalKey=healthcare_professionals)

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