How Many Times Can You Be a Surrogate?

For many women, being a surrogate is a profoundly rewarding and deeply meaningful experience. It is a unique opportunity to help parents build their own family while providing for their own. For some, the surrogate compensation is life-changing. It’s not unusual for an experienced surrogate to feel called to repeat their journey—sometimes, more than once! If you’ve completed your first surrogacy and wonder how many times you can be a surrogate, you are not alone. 

The answer to how many times you can be a surrogate mother can vary from one woman to the next. Your eligibility for another surrogacy is based on a combination of factors including your state’s statute, agency guidelines, and, most of all, your physical and emotional health and readiness for another journey. 

Let’s explore what determines how often you can be a surrogate, what medical professionals recommend, and how to decide whether another journey is the right step for you. 

What Determines How Many Times You Can Be a Surrogate?

Many professionals in the surrogacy industry look to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) when setting their guidelines for surrogate eligibility. According to ASRM, a gestational carrier or surrogate should have had no more than five previous deliveries with a maximum of three previous C-sections. This is the baseline for considering eligibility at NWSC, but there are factors that help determine whether another journey is safe or appropriate. If you’ve already completed one or more surrogacies, you’re considered an experienced surrogate and your experience is highly valued with a $10,000 bonus in base compensation. But your health must be carefully evaluated each time you apply for a new journey.

Key factors that help determine how many times you can be a surrogate include:

• Your pregnancy and delivery history: Every pregnancy impacts your body differently. Medical professionals will review how well you recovered from previous pregnancies, whether you’ve had complications, and how many deliveries you’ve had.
• Results of current health screenings: For each surrogacy journey, your medical evaluation will include a physical exam, lab work, and a uterine lining check.
• Time since your last pregnancy: Most fertility clinics we work with recommend waiting 9-12 months after a vaginal delivery before another embryo transfer.
• Agency and legal guidelines: Surrogacy agencies and attorneys will also assess your eligibility based on legal standards, insurance requirements, and psychological readiness.
• Your personal readiness: In addition to your body’s readiness, consider whether a repeat surrogacy is good for you and your family. 

Medical Guidelines for Repeat Surrogacy

Reputable fertility clinics and surrogacy agencies follow similar medical guidelines on how many times you can be a surrogate. These recommendations help protect the health and safety of both the surrogate and the baby.

At NW Surrogacy Center, we look to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) guidelines recommending that a surrogate should not have had more than three prior cesarean section deliveries or a total of five previous deliveries, including those for your own children. So, if you have one child, you could potentially qualify to become a surrogate five times.

Medical guidelines for repeat surrogates include:

• No significant complications: A history of severe preeclampsia, medicated gestational diabetes, or other significant complications may limit your ability to be a surrogate again.
• Time between deliveries: Most clinics recommend waiting a minimum of 9-12 months after a vaginal birth and at least 12 months after a cesarean section before having another embryo transfer.
• Physically healthy: Experienced surrogates must pass the same health screening as first-time surrogates. A clean bill of health, including a uterine evaluation, is essential.
• Age range: We work with surrogates between the ages of 21 and 42.

These medical safeguards ensure that you and the baby are as safe and supported as possible.

Agency and Legal Rules for Multiple Journeys

Surrogacy is regulated by the fertility clinics, agency protocols, and state-specific legal frameworks. While it’s unusual for a state law to limit how often you can be a surrogate, Washington state does include a limit in their statute. There is no federal law that limits the number of times someone can be a surrogate. Generally, agencies and fertility clinics apply consistent standards to protect everyone involved.

At NW Surrogacy Center, experienced surrogates are evaluated with the same care and attention as first-time applicants. This includes medical and psychological screening, along with legal counseling to ensure you fully understand your rights and responsibilities. 

Non-medical considerations for repeat surrogacy may include:

• State laws limiting the number of gestational surrogacies
• Health insurance coverage eligibility
• Psychological evaluations to confirm readiness for another journeyAs always, transparency and informed consent are key.

The Emotional and Physical Realities of Being a Surrogate More Than Once

Repeat surrogacy can be a beautiful, empowering experience—but it is still a pregnancy, deserving of thoughtful consideration. Even when everything goes smoothly, growing a baby for another family takes time, energy, and physical stamina. It’s essential to evaluate how another journey may affect your body, your routine, and your own family. Emotionally, many experienced surrogates find deep satisfaction in returning to a role they loved, but it’s important to weigh the very real demands.

How to Decide If a Second or Third (or Fourth!) Surrogacy Is Right for You

Only you can decide whether to embark on another surrogacy journey—but you don’t have to make that decision alone. 

Start by checking in with your body:

• Have you fully recovered from your previous pregnancy?
• Do you feel physically healthy and strong?
• Do you feel emotionally grounded and stable?

Then, check in with your family:

• Is this the right time for a repeat journey?
• Are your children and partner on board?
• Are there any unresolved concerns from the last journey? 

Every surrogacy affects your schedule, your household, and your support system. Their willing encouragement and support are vital to the experience.

Finally, talk with your agency. At NW Surrogacy Center, we work closely with experienced surrogates to assess their readiness, review medical and legal criteria, and make sure they are fully supported from the very start. Whether it’s your second journey or your fifth, we’re here to walk alongside you.

In the end, it’s always smart to trust your body and your instincts. And surround yourself with people who will support your decision, whatever it may be. If you’re wondering how many times you can be a surrogate because you’re considering another journey, please contact us. NW Surrogacy Center will support you every step of the way.