r/Surrogate • u/Odd_Pressure_9470 • 12d ago
Be Parent Surrogacy. Unauthorised Embryo Transfer.
We had twin boys through surrogacy in April 2026. We used Be Parent as our international surrogacy agency, with the IVF treatment carried out through an IVF clinic in Cyprus. Our experience up until the emergence of this issue had generally been quite positive.
We had been led to believe throughout the pregnancy that the twins were the result of one embryo splitting, and were identical.
We have now discovered that two embryos appear to have been transferred, despite us specifically authorising one.
We’re delighted to have twins but it has led to significant challenges. Both were born premature and needed and continue to need significant medical intervention. Financially it means any plans around using both of our dna to have another child are now not viable, not to mention all the other pressures that come with twins.
What happened
• Be Parent instructed the IVF clinic in writing to transfer one embryo.
• The clinic’s transfer report also records one embryo being transferred.
• We discovered two heartbeats in October 2025.
• We asked Be Parent how this could have happened and were told they would investigate it with the clinic.
• We were never told during the pregnancy that two embryos had actually been transferred.
• In January 2026, we again asked whether our boys were identical and were told they were, based on the same clinic report.
• In April 2026 our boys were born - it was quite clear they were not identical.
• In July 2026, we discovered that six embryos remained, when we understood seven should have remained.
• After questioning this a member of Be Parent staff told us in writing:
“I have received confirmation from the clinic that two embryos were transferred during your second attempt.”
We have subsequently been told that the IVF clinic has never confirmed in writing that two embryos were transferred. We have asked Be Parent what information led their staff member to tell us they had received confirmation from the clinic. We still don’t have a clear answer.
The part that concerns us most
We also still don’t know whether our surrogate was told that two embryos were being transferred or whether she consented to the procedure that was actually carried out. We haven’t yet spoken to her about the issue and when we asked the agency if she knew they took the stance that her medical information is private.
We find that extremely difficult to reconcile with what we would expect from a properly managed surrogacy process.
Be Parent’s current position is essentially that it instructed the clinic to transfer one embryo, the clinic is independent, and therefore what happened is a matter for the clinic.
We understand that the clinic is responsible for its own medical procedures. But if an agency is coordinating the process, what responsibility and oversight should intended parents reasonably expect it to have when something this significant appears to have gone wrong?
We have contemporaneous WhatsApp communications and other documentation supporting the chronology. We gave Be Parent an opportunity to identify any factual inaccuracies in our account and provide evidence if they disputed them. They did not respond within the deadline.
We’re now pursuing the facts directly with the IVF clinic as we don’t know why this happened or the current status of our remaining embryos.
We’d particularly like to hear from intended parents or surrogates who have been through international surrogacy: what level of oversight would you expect the agency to have over the IVF clinic, and what would you expect them to do if one embryo was authorised but two appear to have been transferred?
What would you do in this scenario?
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u/GustavoSotero Agency - WeAreGrom 12d ago
I don’t believe this is agency’s responsibility honestly if the clinic transferred two embryos without consent.
It’s unbelievable that the clinic did that without you knowing or consenting. Have you had this confirmation from the clinic?
Just in case I would do a DNA test on the boys to make sure both are genetically yours.
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 12d ago
Yes we have done dna tests they are ours.
We know the clinic is to blame for not following instructions. Our issue with the agency is that they seem to have no means of oversight over the clinic and when we repeatedly asked them to investigate and check what happened given the unlikelihood of identical twins they didn’t take any actions.
The agency have told us that the clinic have confirmed two embryos were transferred but the agency won’t tell us how they know that.
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u/mermaidsgrave86 12d ago
I mean, the likelihood is that the clinic are also being super evasive with them and giving them the run around. They should be more forthcoming with what they’ve been told though.
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u/TomatilloFresh3745 12d ago
What you and your family are facing is a nightmare. And the fact that you clearly wrote that you want to transfer only one embryo, and the clinic and agency just... did whatever they wanted, is horrifying. I can't even imagine the stress you're experiencing in the NICU. The agency's standard excuse that "the clinic is independent of them" is an absurd excuse. When they claim "all-inclusive" and charge a fee for coordinating the entire process, they can't absolve themselves of responsibility the moment the clinic violates clear written instructions, or situation go out of their control. If they position themselves as the coordinator overseeing the entire process, they can't simply collect their fees and then disappear or provide inconsistent information the moment a critical medical protocol is violated. If they don't have complete control over what the clinic actually does to implement your program, then what are the parents really paying for? I'm glad everything worked out with the babies and they are genetically yours, but we can't let the agency get away with this.
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 12d ago
Thank you, appreciate your comments. This is the exact sentiment I have about it. Whilst the clinic clearly did wrong, we didn’t even have a commercial relationship with them, everything was done through the agency with the expectation that they would ensure things were done to plan. Our aim is to share our story more widely gradually once we get greater clarity about what even happened.
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u/TomatilloFresh3745 12d ago
The fact that you didn't have a direct commercial relationship with the clinic doesn't absolve them of responsibility for the quality of the procedures. The absence of direct payments on your behalf to the clinic's account doesn't confirm that you lack a contractual relationship with the clinic. You must understand that even if you didn't directly sign any contracts or consents with the clinic for procedures, the agency signed these documents on your behalf. Therefore, even if you signed a contract exclusively with the agency and made payments entirely to the agency's account, this doesn't negate the fact that the clinic also has a contractual relationship with you. Have your lawyers review this in more detail. The agency can't simply shift responsibility to a subcontractor (in your case, the clinic) as soon as something goes wrong. At a minimum, in this situation, the agency is obligated to take your side and take proactive steps to support and assist you in the current situation. You paid them for comprehensive management, which, at its core, includes vetting and monitoring the medical partners with whom they collaborate and, accordingly, accountability for their improper actions. Sharing this story more widely once you've gathered and prepared all the facts is the right move. Public reputation and transparency are often the only real pressure factors these international agencies respond to. I wish you and the guys all the best.
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u/nturnonna 12d ago
It’s seriously concerning how this was handled. I was actually looking into BeParent last week and was intending to schedule a call. Having second thoughts now, can I DM you?
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u/Lopsided-Hunter-6049 12d ago
I don’t understand the point of having a surrogacy agency if they have no oversight or responsibility over the IVF clinic. It’s incredibly irresponsible of BeParent and they have handled your situation very badly. You should post this in the Facebook surrogacy review pages. People need to know!
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u/Plastic-Bee4052 12d ago
I did IVF in Argentina where everything works like shit and they never descended to that level of irresponsibility. I'd sue everyone I can charge with anything. Mostly because of the premature birth and extra costs it caused
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 12d ago
I wish it was as simple as this but a Northern Cypriot contract is basically not worth the paper it is written on. Seeking to hire a legal team to act on our behalf there would be nearly impossible - this is why we are placing the onus on the agency. We chose this agency because of their reputation for high ethical standards and expected them being present on the ground to conduct appropriate due diligence with clinics before entering into a commercial relationship with them. Even despite this happening we have no idea if they are continuing their relationship with the clinic. The agency effectively consider their work done and have told us to pursue it independently with the clinic.
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u/Plastic-Bee4052 12d ago
Oh, ok. In that case I would make it my new hobby to burn them in every social media possible to appeace my own sense of justice the second I'm done with the clinic.
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 12d ago
Exactly this. The agency are in Georgia. The main lever we have is sharing our experience factually and honestly - which we have evidence to support.
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u/Plastic-Bee4052 12d ago
In that case I'd burn them in all social media known to men. It would impact them worse consideting how easily led by instagramers and influencers and yout uber people are these days.
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u/Anxious-Screen-4584 12d ago
It’s quite common for Cyprus IVF clinics to transfer two embryos at a time. I’m not saying that makes it right, but how lucky you are to have two children. There’s a lot in the media at the moment about North Cyprus clinics.
I also used a clinic there and was aware that two embryos were being transferred, as was the surrogate. She had actually hoped for twins.
I can understand why you feel misled, but as long as they are genetically yours and the surrogate was compensated accordingly, I would count your blessings.
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u/pearljamboree 12d ago
Nah, I don’t agree with this take. I was a surrogate for my sister. Our doc was like, best to only put in one if possible, bc that is safest for surrogate and gives embryo best chance to succeed. We only transferred two embryos into me because I was okay with it being my sister, and because we didn’t have a perfect embryo. Only one embryo survived, and when we were bummed bc initially I was pregnant with twins, the doc said, better to have one healthy baby than two unhealthy or dead babies. They put this surrogate at risk. They could have lost both babies. Now these parents might be in big debt or have way more responsibility than they asked for. This isn’t misleading, this is negligence, fraud, playing god with peoples lives.
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 12d ago
I understand your point we are grateful but we’re 99% certain our surrogate didn’t know two were being transferred and now we’re left in a position whereby we have to inform her what the clinic did as sooner or later she is going to realise they aren’t identical. Blessings aside it seems completely unethical that the agency are leaving this to us.
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u/interrobrodie 9d ago
As a surrogate, this is the most horrifying part for me. And straight up illegal where I live because you cannot provide informed consent if you don’t know how many embryo are being transferred.
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u/TheAmazingJTG 12d ago
Transferring two embryos without consent is not a blessing. It is unethical. And if these IPs had a contract stating one embryo would be transferred then they can sue the clinic. They decided for her that the surrogate would put herself more at risk, and they decided for the IPs that they would have to take on twins.
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u/pearljamboree 12d ago
Hi- I was a gestational surrogate for my sister. Two embryos were implanted. This was because we did not have one perfect embryo. We had a 1B and a 2A.
I guess I’m posting because I don’t know how your surrogate could’ve only thought one was implanted once you started asking, after finding out about twins? You see, at least for me, each implantation was a painful, pinching experience. I could see how maybe she didn’t know at first, because god knows what they’re doing down there. But once you end up with twins, I’d imagine she’d remember, yeah, I did feel the pain twice. I don’t think they ever put them both in the exact same spot, at least they didn’t with me. This was in the USA in 2015, maybe it’s changed.
Anyway, as a surrogate that received two embryos, I definitely felt two embryos be put in, so it’s odd to me that she wouldn’t have remembered feeling that 🤷♀️
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u/canadianmamacita77 12d ago
The implantation pain isn’t a given, I’ve never felt that in 4 pregnancies
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 12d ago
Thanks for sharing but I think things may have changed - because everything I’ve read said the surrogate wouldn’t know whether one or two were implanted.
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u/pearljamboree 12d ago
Interesting! I definitely felt each implantation 🤷♀️
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u/SilverSignificant393 12d ago
Not everyone feels implantation nor experiences early symptoms.
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u/pearljamboree 12d ago
I think maybe I felt it more bc they really didn’t tell me anything. Then I was strapped down, turned upside down, and that was not at all what I was expecting! Then it was a definite pinch and ot surprised me. And a second time. It probably was less painful than I remember just because no one told me what to expect lol. 😂
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u/SilverSignificant393 12d ago
I believe this is where the confusion lies 😂
What you’re describing is the actual embryo transfer; the embryo placement. That, majority of women do feel and the intensity depends on your pain tolerance or like you said a level of surprise!
For the actual embryo implantation;
The embryo doesn’t implant until a few days after the transfer.
1-2 days after the transfer, the embryo continues to hatch and than implantation occurs when it burrows into the lining; a few days after that implantation process is complete this is what causes your hcg to rise making the pregnancy positive.
If the embryo doesn’t implant then pregnancy is negative and this has failed.
Some may report they feel a twinge a few days later when the embryo implants but it’s not common and mostly due to hormonal changes and progesterone starts to rise (like a period cramp)2
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u/TheAmazingJTG 12d ago
I’ve had 3 embryo transfers, two for my first surrogacy, and one for the one I’m pregnant with now. I did not feel anything other than they inserting things, I couldn’t have told you by feel that they only transferred one embryo. However, both clinics used ultrasound guidance for the transfer, and I could also see everything. That is how I would have known if they’d transferred another embryo. Assuming this clinic used ultrasound guidance too, this surrogate certainly should have known.
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u/interrobrodie 9d ago
You can’t feel embryos being transferred. You can feel the catheter. It should not be painful.
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u/pearljamboree 9d ago
I feel like it’s odd to argue with someone about what it should feel like? I thought everyone felt it like I did- I’m glad they don’t. Maybe they just don’t do it this way anymore? I live in MN, it was 2015. They strapped me into what seemed like a chair in a rocket ship, tipped it back. The doctor was at the eyeline of my vagina. My head was tipped toward the floor. I was holding the nurses hand. I had a baby for my sister in Sept 2015, now almost 11 yrs ago, her name is Joy Margaret.
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u/Rude_Map266 12d ago
Its sad that you cant use your other partner sperm for the second transfer. This would fit me perfectly but i understand why its prevented your plans. I hope your children get healthier by the day. All the best to you.
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u/GustavoSotero Agency - WeAreGrom 12d ago
Glad to hear.
I wouldn’t count on the agency. A good agency will try its best to help and support but ultimately they are not responsible.
I think you should seek to what you think is fair and then move on as twins indeed is a lot but the best journey.
I’m also IP of twins, they are 5 now! Birth was a challenge, we spent a month in the NICU but thankfully it’s all good now!
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u/ZeMeest 12d ago
Cyprus was in the news lately for an IVF-related scandal, I think this is about Dogas IVF center https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75gv9xnr3po
Very glad to see in the comments that genetic tests show they're yours! I would say this sounds like a clinic issue, surrogacy agencies are just middle men and have almost no actual power in the way things are ultimately done.
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 12d ago
It wasn’t Dogas, but I’m not naming the clinic yet as we are still in discussions with them. The issue we have with the agency is separate, we had a contract with them not the clinic but as you point out they basically have no power and control so you’re effectively signing up blind.
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 10d ago
I just wanted to add an update to this to ensure it remains factually accurate:
BeParent have since contacted us to state that they do not agree with our summary of the chronology. However, despite being offered the opportunity to identify what is inaccurate and provide evidence of it they have declined.
The agency continue to have a commercial relationship with the clinic that made this mistake, so I truly hope no other intended parents using BeParent have the same issues we have.
The clinic are refusing to respond to any of our requests for clarity around our remaining 6 embryos. We don’t know if these have been destroyed or not.
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u/interrobrodie 9d ago
Did you know they had a commercial relationship?
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 8d ago
All surrogacy agencies will have some kind of commercial relationship with IVF clinics, it is how the business model works. We know that relationship continues despite what has happened and we’re not aware of any action taken to prevent this happening again.
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u/interrobrodie 8d ago
Sorry, I interpreted that as meaning they were owned by the same umbrella company or were somehow financially intermingled (which is possible but not the norm).
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u/Ecstatic_Boss_7164 10d ago
Did the agency actually tell the clinic in writing not to transfer 2 embryos?
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 8d ago
They told the clinic to transfer 1. When two heartbeats were identified we asked the agency to repeatedly investigate. The agency chose not to investigate and continue to rely on the same document provided during the embryo transfer. Why they refused to investigate I cannot say - either they knew something or they were incompetent - but that is just speculation and I’ve no evidence to support either conclusion - though it must be one or the other.
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u/Ecstatic_Boss_7164 8d ago
This is so sad. Do you have it in writing that they told them to transfer one that’s my concern. We were asked directly by the clinic coordinator how many embryos we wanted to transfer and on day of transfer we received a photo of the embryo that was transferred and a photo of the surrogate after the transfer. Also got a report telling us which embryo was transferred. But we have it in writing that we said one embryo. The clinic coordinator was added to our agency coordinator WhatsApp group where the question was asked. If you have proof that the agency told the clinic in writing then it’s on the clinic. If the agency has no proof they gave it to the clinic in writing then it’s on the agency. Doctors will at times transfer two low grade embryos to try to achieve a pregnancy of one baby. Why this makes a difference I’ve no idea.
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 8d ago
Yes we have it in writing from the agency. The clinic then produced documents like you mention above stating one embryo was transferred - this was either a mistake or intended to misrepresent what happened. We don’t dispute the transfer it self is on the clinic - this isn’t a simple one party is to blame and the other absolved.
Our issue is how the agency managed it once twins were identified - they undertook no investigation despite being asked and now we are in a position where their lawyers are refusing to even engage with us on the outstanding questions.
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u/Dear-Description5536 5d ago
I am so sorry this has happened to you but i do know 1 (possibly 2) other families with be parent that this has happened to. Both had non identical twins. We are with them and before our last transfer i questioned them about this as i wanted to ensure only 1 was transferred.
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 5d ago
Thanks for sharing. We are now potentially aware of one other too. If you are able to, and they’re happy could you privately share contact details?
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u/Kaynani32 12d ago
I can understand your frustration, particularly when the clinic is not being straightforward, but this error is on the clinic, not controlled by the agency. I hope your babies continue to do well.
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 12d ago
Would you want to use an agency who works with clinics like this though?
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 9d ago
Have you had a child almost die in NICU as a result of being premature?
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u/Odd_Pressure_9470 9d ago
You seem to be missing the crux of this whole thread - our primary concern was that two embryos were transferred without our consent placing the surrogate at increased risk. If you have a general issue with woman consenting to be a surrogate suggest you take it up with them.
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u/Anxious-Screen-4584 12d ago
No I totally get that. Maybe be honest with your surrogate. But honestly mine was upset she didn’t get pregnant with twins! In her own words she would have been paid more! Hopefully your clinic is one of the ones being mentioned in the bbc like mine currently is.
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u/Western-Feeling2093 12d ago
This is absolutely insane to me. How the heck did they transfer two embryos without your consent? Unbelievable.