What To Know Before You Become a Surrogate

Carrying a child is an emotional journey, but carrying a child for someone else is a pure act of generosity. For individuals and couples who dream of parenthood but are unable to conceive on their own, a surrogate is a source of hope. They turn their dream into reality and give them the joy of a new family. Becoming a surrogate comes with significant financial compensation, but it is also a commitment that asks much of your time and emotional strength.

Becoming a surrogate involves navigating strict legal, medical, and psychological scenarios. If you feel like you can keep up with this journey and want to change lives forever. This guide breaks down the essential requirements and detailed process you must understand before you take the first step.

Who is a Surrogate

A surrogate is a woman who carries and gives birth to a baby for another couple or person. A surrogate helps couples or individuals who are not able to have children themselves. The couple for whom the woman conceives is known as the intended parents.

Surrogacy often involves using IVF, so that the child is legally the child of the intended parents. Women become surrogates to help their family members or friends who struggle with conceiving a child.

Types of Surrogacy

There are two types of surrogacy that are distinguished by whether the child is genetically linked to the surrogate or not.

Traditional Surrogacy: The surrogate uses her own egg, which is fertilized by the intended father’s or a donor’s sperm. She is genetically related to the child she carries.

Gestational Surrogacy: An embryo is created using the intended mother’s or a donor’s egg and the intended father’s or a donor’s sperm through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The resulting embryo is then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. The surrogate has no genetic relationship to the child. 

Other types of surrogacy based on compensation and process:

Compensated Surrogacy: The surrogate receives financial compensation for her services in addition to having her expenses covered.

Altruistic Surrogacy: The surrogate is not paid for her time and effort, but her expenses related to the pregnancy are covered.

Agency Surrogacy: The surrogacy process is managed through a professional agency, which helps with matching and navigating the legal and medical steps.

Independent Surrogacy: The intended parents and surrogate work with each other directly, often with the help of an attorney but without a formal agency managing the process. 

Requirements for Surrogate

The following are the requirements to become a surrogate:

Health Requirements

• Being between the ages of 21 – 42 years old.
• Has done parenting for at least one child.
• Has a healthy delivery previously.
• Has no more than 3 C-sections.
• Has a body mass index lower than 33.
• Reside in a surrogate-friendly state.
• No history of depression or mental illness.

Lifestyle Requirements

• Focusing on walking, yoga, or swimming.
• No consumption of drugs or cigarettes.
• Drug and smoke-free home.
• Avoiding high-impact exercises.
• No hot tubs or saunas.
• Good mental health history.

Family Support

• Supportive family or partner.
• Financially stable and not dependent on public assistance.
• Access to reliable transportation just in case.