4 Things to Consider Before Becoming a Surrogate

Interested in becoming a surrogate? Consider these four things before making this life-changing decision.

Are you considering the incredible journey of becoming a surrogate mother? It’s a life-changing, rewarding experience that helps build families, but it requires thoughtful consideration. Surrogacy is physically, emotionally, and legally demanding, so it’s important to understand the key aspects before committing. Here are four things to consider before embarking on your surrogacy journey.

1. Requirements to be a surrogate mother

Surrogacy is not for everyone. It requires women to meet specific qualifications to ensure that the surrogate and the baby are both safe and healthy throughout the process. If you’ve asked yourself, “Can I be a surrogate?”, it’s important to look at the basic requirements:

Physical health

Surrogates must be in excellent physical health. This includes having a history of at least one full-term, healthy pregnancy without complications. The ability to carry a pregnancy to term with no major health issues is essential for ensuring a safe surrogacy experience for both the surrogate and the baby.

Stable Lifestyle

A stable and supportive environment at home is crucial for a surrogate. Whether it’s family, friends, or a partner, a strong support system is key to managing the emotional and physical demands of pregnancy.

Age Requirements

Most surrogacy programs, including Northwest Surrogacy Center (NWSC), require surrogates to be between the ages of 21 and 42. This age range helps minimize medical risks to both the surrogate and the baby, as younger women generally have fewer complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Meeting these initial requirements is only the first step. For a more comprehensive overview of the requirements for becoming a surrogate, you can explore NWSC’s surrogate qualifications page.

2. Medical surrogate qualifications

Being healthy is only part of the equation. There are specific medical standards that surrogates must meet to ensure they’re physically able to carry a baby for someone else. Not every woman qualifies to be a surrogate, so consider these health factors:

BMI

Maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI) is a crucial medical requirement for surrogacy. Most programs, including NWSC, require a BMI between 18 and 34. A balanced BMI helps reduce risks during pregnancy, ensuring a safer experience for both surrogate and baby. If you’re not sure what your BMI is, use this BMI calculator to check.

Medical History

Surrogates need to have a history of healthy pregnancies and deliveries without major complications. Conditions like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or multiple miscarriages may disqualify you from becoming a surrogate. If you’re wondering, “Can an infertile woman be a surrogate?”, the answer is typically no for gestational surrogacy, as the surrogate must be able to carry the baby to term.

Initial Screening

 Medical evaluations are part of the initial screening process to ensure that surrogates meet all necessary health requirements. Learn more about what health qualifications are needed at NWSC’s surrogacy page.

3. Legal requirements

Surrogacy is not just an emotional and physical journey; it’s also a legal one. Understanding the legal side of surrogacy is critical for protecting the rights of both the surrogate and the intended parents. So, how does the surrogate process work legally?

Contracts and legal representation

Before beginning the surrogacy process, surrogates must sign legal contracts with the intended parents. These contracts lay out the responsibilities of each party, financial compensation, and expectations throughout the pregnancy. Each party must have their own legal representation to avoid conflicts of interest. This legal safeguard ensures that everyone’s rights are protected throughout the surrogacy journey.

Surrogate-Friendly States

The legal landscape for surrogacy differs from state to state. It’s important to live in a surrogate-friendly state with clear laws that support surrogacy agreements. For example, Oregon, where NWSC operates, is considered a surrogate-friendly state with comprehensive laws that protect both surrogates and intended parents. You can learn more about the legal landscape of surrogacy in Oregon here.

Surrogacy laws vary, so it’s important to consult with legal experts who understand the process in your state before committing.

4. Personal surrogate qualifications

Beyond meeting the physical and legal qualifications, there are personal aspects to consider before deciding to become a surrogate. Being emotionally prepared and ready for the demands of surrogacy is just as important as being medically and legally qualified.

Pregnancy and Delivery History

A key personal qualification is having experienced at least one healthy, full-term pregnancy. This requirement ensures that surrogates understand the demands of pregnancy and delivery and can handle the process physically and emotionally.

Emotional Readiness

 Surrogacy is an emotional journey that involves many highs and lows. Surrogates need to be emotionally prepared for the process of carrying a child for someone else, which involves bonding with the intended parents, the baby, and managing the emotions surrounding delivery and separation after birth.

Commitment

The surrogacy process can take a year or longer from start to finish. This timeline includes screening, legal procedures, embryo transfer, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery. It requires a serious commitment to attend frequent medical appointments, coordinate with legal teams, and maintain communication with the intended parents.

To start your surrogacy journey, you can check out NWSC’s application page to apply and learn more.

Is surrogacy right for you?

Becoming a surrogate is a life-changing decision. While it’s an incredibly rewarding experience, it requires careful consideration of the physical, emotional, and legal aspects involved. Surrogates play a vital role in helping others build families, but it’s not a journey to take lightly.

At Northwest Surrogacy Center, you’ll have the support of a compassionate and experienced team every step of the way. Whether you’re ready to start the process or simply want to learn more about whether surrogacy is right for you, NWSC is here to provide guidance and information. If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out to us or start your application today.

For more information on the requirements, process, and compensation, visit our pages on becoming a surrogate mother and surrogate compensation.