Would I Make a Good Surrogate?

Surrogacy is a compassionate act, allowing individuals and couples to experience the joys of parenthood when other options aren’t possible. While a rewarding and life-changing experience, surrogacy is a major commitment, requiring personal time and a certain level of physical and emotional readiness.  

If you’re considering surrogacy, you may wonder if you have what it takes.

At Great Beginnings Surrogacy Services in San Diego, California, our surrogacy expert, Dr. Samuel Wood, and our team of consultants specialize in matching intended parents (IPs) with the right surrogate. 

We know what makes a good surrogate and want to share what we look for so you can decide if it’s right for you.

Being a surrogate

A surrogate is an individual who carries a baby for someone else. Individuals with medical conditions, same-sex couples, and folks struggling with infertility may consider surrogacy to grow their family.

At our agency, we only work with gestational surrogates, meaning the surrogate has no genetic ties to the baby. IPs use in vitro fertilization (IVF), where embryos are created using IP or donor eggs and sperm and then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus to impregnate the surrogate. Once pregnant, the surrogate sees their personal OB/GYN for prenatal care.

While the medical side of surrogacy may seem straightforward, the journey to pregnancy is complex and requires careful consideration. 

Surrogacy requirements

While there are no set federal guidelines for surrogacy, most agencies follow recommendations from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.

To become a surrogate, you must:

• Be between ages 21 and 45 (our agency restricts to age 37)
• Have a history of at least one healthy pregnancy
• Have no more than five vaginal deliveries or three Caesarean sections
• Have a stable home environment

Our agency has additional requirements, including surrogates being United States citizens, having a body mass index (BMI) of 32 or less, and having no medical or mental health issues. 

Meeting these criteria is a great first step, but successful surrogacy requires more than physical qualifications. You must have the right mindset and willingness to commit. 

Emotional and mental readiness

Surrogacy is an emotional journey filled with ups and downs. A strong sense of self and a sound support system outside the agency is essential.

Preparing yourself for the pregnancy is also important, including eating balanced meals, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. 

Ability to commit

Pregnancy is only one part of the surrogacy process, and a lot must happen before IVF. Surrogacy may require a year or more of your life. Are you able to commit?

Before IVF, you must undergo a medical and psychological evaluation. Then, you finalize the legal contract that outlines:

• The medical plan
• Surrogate’s rights and responsibilities
• IP rights and responsibilities
• Compensation details

Every surrogate needs their own legal representation to help negotiate the contract and ensure it’s fair. 

It’s difficult to know if you’d make a good surrogate until you do it, but we can help you with your decision-making process. We can answer questions and walk you through what to expect.

If you’re interested, complete our short online surrogate screening form. If approved, we’ll invite you to complete the full application.

You can also call our office today or message us if you want to talk to one of our consultants first.