Common Disqualifications for Surrogacy

Becoming a surrogate is a rewarding and life-changing experience with the goal to help another family grow. However,  it is not the right fit for everyone. Surrogacy is an extraordinary act of generosity — one that requires not only a big heart, but also a healthy body and a stable foundation for the journey ahead. That’s why surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics have very specific surrogacy requirements that must be met. These guidelines aren’t meant to discourage anyone, but to protect the well-being of surrogates, babies, and intended parents alike.

When a woman doesn’t meet these surrogacy requirements, it doesn’t mean she isn’t compassionate or capable, only that pregnancy through surrogacy must be as safe as possible for everyone involved. Some disqualifications for surrogacy are medical, while others involve lifestyle, past pregnancy history, or emotional readiness.

At Northwest Surrogacy Center, we believe the health and safety of our surrogates is just as important as the health and safety of the babies they carry. We prioritize ethics, transparency, and respect in everything we do and ensure every surrogate is fully qualified and supported before beginning this journey. 

Meeting the Basics Isn’t Always Enough

Many women meet the basic surrogacy requirements: the right age range, a healthy pregnancy history, and being a non-smoker. But meeting the basics doesn’t always guarantee eligibility to become a surrogate. Fertility clinics and surrogacy agencies look more closely at each applicant’s health, lifestyle, and environment to ensure the safest possible journey.

For example, a woman may have given birth before but still face disqualifications for surrogacy due to complications in past pregnancies, certain medical conditions, or ongoing use of medications. Others may be disqualified because of unstable housing, financial dependence on government aid programs, or lack of a reliable support system.

Evaluating a woman’s readiness to become a surrogate isn’t about judging character, it’s about making sure the journey is safe, sustainable, and emotionally positive for both the surrogate and the baby. At NWSC, we guide applicants through every step, offering clarity and compassion so no one feels left in the dark about what disqualifies you from being a surrogate.

Medical Conditions That Can Be Disqualifications for Surrogacy

Even women who meet the basic criteria to be a surrogate mother may be disqualified if they have certain health concerns. These conditions raise risks for both the surrogate and the baby:

• A Body Mass Index (BMI) outside the healthy range of 18–34 may make pregnancy unsafe, according to the medical expertise of the clinics we work with.
• Diabetes or uncontrolled high blood pressure increases risks for pregnancy complications.
• Heart, kidney, or autoimmune disorders can put serious strain on a pregnant woman’s health.
• Certain infections (such as HIV, untreated STDs, or hepatitis) may pose risks to the baby.
• Ongoing use of medications that are not compatible with pregnancy.

These medical disqualifications for surrogacy are designed to protect everyone involved and to make sure the surrogate’s health and the baby’s health always come first.

Pregnancy and Birth Complications That Raise Concerns

A strong history of successful pregnancies is the best indicator of a successful journey as a surrogate mother. Some complications in prior pregnancies can, unfortunately, be a disqualification for surrogacy. These include:

• Multiple preterm births (before 36 weeks for a singleton)
• Serious complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or placental abruption.
• Over three previous C-sections 
• Stillbirths or unexplained pregnancy losses 
• Postpartum complications such as hemorrhage or severe postpartum depression tied to deliveries.

The criteria to be a surrogate mother aren’t judgments, they’re safeguards. We just need to ensure that every surrogate has already experienced a healthy pregnancy and is well prepared to carry safely for the intended parents.

Mental Health and Emotional Readiness

Surrogacy is as much an emotional commitment as it is a physical one. Because of this, surrogacy agencies carefully screen for mental health and readiness. At Northwest Surrogacy Center, disqualifications for surrogacy include:

• Has a recent history of untreated depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns.
• Is currently using antidepressants or other medications that fertility clinics consider unsafe during pregnancy.
• Lacks a strong support system of family or friends.

Our surrogacy requirements and safeguards aren’t about stigma. They reflect the reality that pregnancy is demanding, and surrogates deserve to be surrounded by stability and encouragement. At NWSC, we treat emotional well-being as every bit as important as physical health — because supporting the surrogate also supports the baby and the intended parents.

Lifestyle and Legal Barriers That Agencies Flag

Becoming a surrogate is an enormous commitment of your time and energy. Sometimes what disqualifies you from being a surrogate is a matter of lifestyle. Please remember that our surrogacy requirements are meant to protect the baby, the surrogate, and the intended parents.

Common barriers to becoming a surrogate include:

• Smoking, vaping, or drug use — Unsafe for pregnancy.
• Alcohol use — can be unsafe for pregnancy.
• Unstable housing or reliance on government aid — Compensation could affect benefits or create instability.
• Lack of support system — Surrogates deserve and need backing from their partner and/or family.
• Criminal history or legal troubles — Agencies require a safe, stable environment.

At NWSC, our priority is safe, ethical surrogacy. Every application is handled with dedicated care by our surrogate resource team, and women who apply are guided with respect and clarity through the surrogacy requirements.

What If You Don’t Qualify Right Now?

We recognize that life is complex and circumstances change. If you don’t currently meet the criteria to be a surrogate mother, that doesn’t mean the door is closed forever. Your health, lifestyle, and personal circumstances can evolve — and with them, your eligibility.

If you feel called to provide this extraordinary gift, it may be worthwhile to revisit surrogacy in the future. In the meantime, we honor the heart it takes even to consider helping another family in this way.

If you enjoyed being pregnant and want to help another family realize their dream of parenthood, we would love to talk with you. At Northwest Surrogacy Center, you’ll find not only experienced guidance but also genuine care, respect, and community support every step of the way.