Guaranteed Gender in Colombia Surrogacy: Do You Really Need to Pay an Extra $20,000? (2026)
An Embryologist’s Perspective on Guaranteed Birth Programs, PGT-A and the Real Cost of Choosing Your Baby’s Sex
Updated October 27, 2026
For many intended parents, gender selection in Colombia surrogacy raises an important financial question: If a guaranteed birth program already costs $75,000 to $85,000, why do some agencies charge another $20,000 to guarantee the baby’s preferred sex?
This question often surprises families. After budgeting for donor eggs, IVF, a gestational carrier and pregnancy care, an additional $20,000 can feel overwhelming.
Some parents understandably wonder whether the extra charge is necessary or simply another way for agencies to increase their revenue.
The answer is more complicated.
From an embryologist’s perspective, there is a legitimate medical reason why a guaranteed gender program may cost more. However, that does not mean every intended parent should pay for this protection before starting IVF.
At CanBaby Surrogacy, we take a different approach. We generally advise our clients to review their initial embryo results before considering any expensive gender guarantee.
Our reasoning comes from nearly 20 years of experience in embryology and our practical experience coordinating fertility treatment in Colombia.
Guaranteed Birth vs. Guaranteed Gender in Colombia Surrogacy
The first thing intended parents should understand is that a guaranteed birth program and a guaranteed gender program are not the same.
A guaranteed birth package generally focuses on achieving the birth of a living baby, subject to the medical conditions, exclusions and financial commitments described in the provider’s contract.
These programs may include egg donation, IVF, embryo development, gestational surrogacy, embryo transfers and pregnancy-related services.
In our experience with the Colombia surrogacy market, donor-egg guaranteed birth packages are commonly advertised in the approximate range of $75,000 to $85,000 USD.
However, the standard package does not necessarily promise a boy or a girl.
Some providers offer an additional guaranteed gender option for approximately $20,000.
This additional fee may sound excessive at first, but understanding how embryos develop helps explain why providers charge it.
Can IVF Doctors Actually Choose to Create a Boy or a Girl?
Many intended parents believe IVF technology allows fertility doctors to produce male or female embryos whenever they want.
Unfortunately, conventional IVF does not work that way.
During fertilization, the egg normally contributes an X chromosome. The sperm contributes either an X or a Y chromosome.
An XX combination typically results in female chromosomal development, while an XY combination typically results in male chromosomal development.
The embryologist cannot simply decide which combination will occur during conventional IVF or ICSI.
We can assess sperm quality, select mature eggs, perform fertilization, culture embryos and monitor their development.
However, we cannot instruct an embryo to become XX or XY.
This is one of the most important facts that intended parents should understand before purchasing a gender guarantee.
IVF laboratories can identify an embryo’s chromosomal sex through appropriate testing, but conventional IVF cannot reliably manufacture embryos of a requested sex.
How PGT-A Supports Gender Selection in Colombia Surrogacy
Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy, or PGT-A, analyzes chromosome copy-number information from a small sample of cells taken from a developing embryo.
Its main medical purpose is to screen for certain chromosomal abnormalities.
Because the analysis includes sex chromosomes, PGT-A can usually identify whether an embryo has an XX or XY chromosome pattern.
For example, suppose a donor-egg IVF cycle produces five blastocysts.
After genetic testing, the laboratory might report three XX embryos and two XY embryos.
Another cycle might produce two XX embryos and three XY embryos.
When medically suitable embryos of both chromosomal sexes are available, intended parents may be able to discuss their preference with the fertility team, provided the clinic’s policies and applicable law permit nonmedical embryo sex selection.
This is why PGT-A can play an important role in gender selection in Colombia surrogacy.
However, PGT-A has limitations.
Not every fertilized egg becomes a blastocyst. Not every blastocyst produces a usable genetic result. Some embryos may have chromosome abnormalities, mosaic findings or inconclusive results.
A PGT-A result also cannot guarantee implantation, a healthy pregnancy or a live birth.
Medical reference: ASRM — The Use of PGT-A: A Committee Opinion (2024)
Will Every IVF Cycle Produce Both Male and Female Embryos?
In many IVF cycles that produce several embryos, both XX and XY embryos may be present.
However, the distribution is not guaranteed.
Some cycles produce more XX embryos. Others produce more XY embryos. Occasionally, an entire group of embryos may have the same chromosomal sex.
Consider a simplified example involving five embryos.
If each embryo independently has a 50% probability of being XX or XY, the probability that all five embryos have the same chromosomal sex is approximately 6.25%.
In other words, about one in sixteen hypothetical groups of five would contain only XX embryos or only XY embryos.
This calculation illustrates the principle rather than predicting an individual patient’s outcome. Actual embryo development, chromosome findings and transfer suitability are more complicated.
The number of embryos also matters.
A family with eight medically suitable embryos may have more opportunities for selection than a family with only one or two.
Even when a cycle produces embryos of both chromosomal sexes, the embryos matching the parents’ preference may not be suitable for transfer.
Therefore, no responsible fertility professional should promise that every IVF cycle will produce a transferable embryo of the requested sex.
Why Do Some Guaranteed Gender Packages Cost an Extra $20,000?
The additional fee reflects a financial risk that the fertility provider may agree to accept.
Imagine a couple who wants a daughter.
The clinic completes an IVF cycle using donor eggs and the intended father’s sperm.
Five embryos develop, but testing identifies only XY embryos.
Even if some embryos are medically suitable for transfer, none matches the parents’ preference.
If the provider has contractually promised a baby of the requested sex, it may need to arrange another donor-egg IVF cycle.
That means additional donor recruitment, medical screening, ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, laboratory work, embryo culture and potentially another round of PGT-A.
Each procedure creates real costs.
A provider may therefore charge an additional fee to cover the possibility of repeated treatment.
From a financial perspective, this approach is understandable.
The $20,000 charge is not necessarily unreasonable or dishonest.
But the existence of a legitimate financial risk does not mean every family needs to pay $20,000 before knowing whether that risk will occur.
That distinction is central to CanBaby’s approach.
Why CanBaby Does Not Recommend Paying $20,000 Upfront
At CanBaby Surrogacy, we believe intended parents should make decisions based on actual medical results whenever possible.
In our Colombia surrogacy experience to date, clients who expressed a preference for their baby’s sex have been able to pursue that preference successfully.
This reflects our team’s experience, not a promise that every future client will obtain the desired result.
Because IVF cycles that produce several embryos may include both XX and XY embryos, some families will already have suitable embryos of their preferred chromosomal sex after the initial cycle.
For these families, an additional $20,000 gender guarantee may never have been necessary.
That is why we generally do not recommend that clients automatically purchase an expensive gender guarantee before their first IVF cycle begins.
Instead, we encourage them to complete the initial IVF process, review the embryo development and PGT-A results with the medical team, and then determine whether further treatment is needed.
This approach gives intended parents more information before they commit to additional expenses.
It also helps them distinguish between paying for a real medical need and paying upfront for a possibility that may never occur.
What Happens If the First IVF Cycle Produces Only the Opposite Sex?
This is the situation that concerns many intended parents.
Suppose a family wants a boy, but their first donor-egg IVF cycle produces no medically suitable XY embryos.
The family may consider another IVF cycle, subject to medical advice, clinic policy and applicable legal requirements.
That additional cycle may involve another egg donor, a new egg retrieval and another round of embryo creation and genetic testing.
In some circumstances, the cost of one additional IVF cycle may be substantially less than the $20,000 charged for an upfront gender guarantee.
However, the actual cost depends on the donor arrangement, medications, laboratory fees, testing and the provider’s contract.
There is also an important limitation: a second IVF cycle does not guarantee that embryos of the requested sex will become available.
Further cycles may be necessary, or the family may ultimately decide not to continue pursuing a particular sex preference.
For this reason, CanBaby does not present another IVF cycle as a guaranteed solution.
We believe clients deserve a clear explanation of the potential cost, the probability of success and the remaining uncertainty before making that decision.
Gender Selection in Colombia Surrogacy: Comparing Two Payment Strategies
When comparing programs, intended parents should look beyond the advertised package price.
Consider two hypothetical approaches.
Paying for a Gender Guarantee Before IVF
A family signs a guaranteed birth contract for $75,000 and purchases an additional gender guarantee for $20,000.
Their total advertised commitment becomes $95,000, assuming no other charges.
If the provider’s contract covers the necessary additional attempts, the family may gain greater predictability regarding the financial consequences of not obtaining an embryo of the preferred sex.
However, the actual protection depends entirely on the agreement.
The contract may limit the number of IVF cycles, impose eligibility conditions or provide specific remedies if the desired outcome cannot be achieved.
Waiting for the Initial IVF Results
Another family begins with the $75,000 guaranteed birth program without purchasing the additional gender guarantee.
The first cycle produces several medically suitable embryos, including one or more with the preferred chromosomal sex.
If the clinic permits sex-based selection and the embryo is appropriate for transfer, the family may not need another IVF cycle.
In that situation, the upfront $20,000 guarantee could have been an avoidable expense.
If no suitable embryo of the preferred sex is available, the family can then discuss additional treatment and obtain a specific quotation.
Neither strategy is automatically best for everyone.
The important point is that intended parents should understand what they are buying and why.
Is Gender Selection Legal in Colombia?
The legal and ethical aspects of embryo sex selection deserve careful attention.
Colombia has an evolving and complex legal environment surrounding assisted reproduction and gestational surrogacy.
Intended parents should not assume that every fertility clinic in Colombia offers nonmedical embryo sex selection or that all providers apply the same policies.
Before making a treatment decision, families should obtain written confirmation from the treating clinic regarding whether embryo sex information can be disclosed and whether nonmedical selection is permitted under its current policies and applicable Colombian law.
This is especially important for international intended parents, because laws and professional standards differ between countries.
For example, Canada generally prohibits nonmedical sex selection under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, apart from the statutory exception relating to sex-linked disorders.
Professional ethics also matter.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recognizes that nonmedical sex selection raises ethical concerns and recommends that fertility clinics establish clear policies.
Medical reference: ASRM — Use of Reproductive Technology for Sex Selection for Nonmedical Reasons (2022)
Does PGT-A Guarantee the Birth of a Boy or a Girl?
No.
PGT-A can provide information about the chromosomal sex of an embryo, but it cannot guarantee that the embryo will implant or develop into a live-born baby.
Even embryos with apparently normal chromosome results may fail to implant or result in miscarriage.
PGT-A also has technical and biological limitations, including possible inconclusive or discordant findings.
Furthermore, chromosomal sex and gender identity are not interchangeable concepts.
Although the fertility industry commonly uses the phrase “gender selection,” the more precise medical term is “embryo sex selection.”
Families should understand this distinction and should not interpret an XX or XY result as an unconditional guarantee of the child’s eventual outcome.
What Makes CanBaby’s Approach Different?
CanBaby Surrogacy was founded by an embryologist with nearly 20 years of experience in reproductive laboratory medicine.
That background influences how we explain IVF to intended parents.
We understand embryo development, laboratory limitations, genetic testing and the reasons why some cycles produce fewer usable embryos than expected.
We also understand the financial pressure that families experience during international fertility treatment.
For a family already considering a $75,000 guaranteed birth program, another $20,000 represents a significant decision.
Our philosophy is straightforward.
We do not believe every intended parent should automatically purchase an additional gender guarantee before the first IVF cycle.
We prefer to review the actual embryo results, explain the available options and help families evaluate whether further treatment is medically appropriate and financially justified.
We do not dismiss the legitimate costs behind other providers’ gender guarantees.
Instead, we encourage transparency about when those costs might arise and whether the family needs to accept them upfront.
Our partner fertility clinic in Bogotá performs the medical treatment. CanBaby provides fertility consulting and coordination, while the treating medical team determines embryo suitability and available treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gender Selection in Colombia Surrogacy
Does a guaranteed birth program include gender selection?
Not automatically. Guaranteed birth and guaranteed gender are separate commitments. Families should review the written contract to determine whether PGT-A, embryo sex information or sex-based embryo selection is included.
Why does guaranteed gender cost another $20,000?
Some providers charge an additional fee because they may need to arrange further donor-egg IVF cycles if the first cycle does not produce medically suitable embryos of the requested sex.
Can IVF guarantee a baby boy or baby girl?
No. Conventional IVF cannot guarantee that embryos of a specific chromosomal sex will develop. PGT-A can provide sex chromosome information, but it does not guarantee a successful pregnancy or live birth.
Is PGT-A necessary for gender selection in Colombia surrogacy?
PGT-A is one method of obtaining embryo sex chromosome information before transfer. However, its clinical purpose, limitations, availability and ethical implications should be discussed with the fertility team.
What happens if all embryos are male but we want a girl?
If no suitable XX embryo is available, another IVF cycle may be considered where medically and legally appropriate. Additional treatment involves costs and does not guarantee the desired outcome.
Does CanBaby charge $20,000 upfront for guaranteed gender?
CanBaby’s stated approach is not to recommend automatically paying an additional $20,000 for a gender guarantee before reviewing the first IVF cycle’s results. Any later treatment options and costs depend on the medical findings and applicable agreements.
Can another IVF cycle cost less than a $20,000 gender guarantee?
In some cases, yes. However, prices depend on the donor, medication, laboratory services and genetic testing. One additional cycle may not be enough to obtain a suitable embryo of the preferred sex.
Is gender selection in Colombia surrogacy available to international parents?
Availability depends on the treating clinic’s policies, medical circumstances and applicable law. Families should obtain confirmation from the clinic and qualified Colombian legal counsel before making treatment decisions.
Before You Pay $20,000 Extra, Understand Your Embryo Options
For intended parents exploring gender selection in Colombia surrogacy, the most important decision is not simply whether to purchase a guarantee.
It is whether that guarantee provides meaningful value for their individual situation.
A provider may have legitimate reasons to charge for the possibility of additional IVF treatment. But some families will already have suitable embryos of their preferred chromosomal sex after the initial cycle.
At CanBaby Surrogacy, we believe those families should not automatically be encouraged to pay an additional $20,000 before knowing their embryo results.
Our approach combines nearly 20 years of embryology experience with transparent discussions about IVF outcomes, costs and treatment options.
If you are comparing guaranteed birth programs in Colombia, we can help you understand the medical process and the questions you should ask before signing a contract.
You may also find our Colombia Surrogacy Risk Guide and our comparison of surrogacy in the USA, Canada and Colombia helpful.
Schedule a Private Consultation With CanBaby Surrogacy
Medical and legal disclaimer: This article provides general educational information. IVF, PGT-A and additional treatment cannot guarantee embryo sex, pregnancy or live birth. Nonmedical embryo sex selection raises ethical considerations and depends on applicable law and clinic policy. Market prices reflect CanBaby’s industry observations rather than a verified survey of all providers. All program benefits, exclusions and fees depend on the written contract.
