Surrogacy offers a path for individuals or couples to build their families when they are unable to carry a pregnancy themselves. It involves a woman, known as a gestational carrier or surrogate, carrying a pregnancy and giving birth to a baby for intended parents. This overview clarifies the requirements and process of becoming a surrogate.
Eligibility Criteria
Becoming a surrogate involves meeting specific requirements designed to ensure the health and well-being of both the surrogate and the baby. Age is a primary consideration, with most agencies and clinics requiring surrogates to be between 21 and 40 years old. A significant requirement is having previously given birth to at least one child, with a history of healthy, full-term pregnancies and deliveries without complications. This demonstrates a proven ability to carry a pregnancy to term.
Physical health is also thoroughly assessed. Surrogates typically need to have a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI). Potential candidates undergo comprehensive medical evaluations to confirm overall good health and the absence of major medical conditions that could pose risks during pregnancy. Avoiding smoking and recreational drug use is a strict requirement. Residency requirements usually stipulate that a surrogate must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Financial stability is another important factor, meaning that a surrogate should not be receiving public assistance. Beyond physical health, psychological well-being is evaluated through screenings and assessments. These evaluations help ensure that a surrogate is emotionally prepared for the surrogacy journey.
The Surrogacy Journey Steps
The surrogacy journey is a structured process that begins once a potential candidate meets the initial eligibility criteria. The first step typically involves an application and initial screening, where agencies gather detailed information about a candidate’s background, medical history, and motivations. This initial review helps determine if a candidate is a suitable fit for a surrogacy program. Following the initial screening, prospective surrogates undergo extensive medical and psychological evaluations.
Medical evaluations include physical examinations, blood tests, and screenings for infectious diseases, ensuring the surrogate is physically capable of carrying a pregnancy. Psychological evaluations involve interviews and assessments to gauge emotional stability, commitment, and understanding of the surrogacy process. Once medical and psychological clearances are obtained, the matching process with intended parents begins. Agencies work to find a compatible match based on shared values, expectations, and communication preferences between the surrogate and the intended parents.
After a successful match, legal contracts are drafted and finalized, forming a Gestational Surrogacy Agreement (GSA). This legally binding document outlines the rights and responsibilities of all parties, including parental rights, financial arrangements, and medical decisions. Only after the GSA is fully executed do medical procedures commence. This typically involves in vitro fertilization (IVF), where embryos created from the intended parents’ (or donors’) eggs and sperm are transferred into the surrogate’s uterus.
Following a successful embryo transfer and confirmation of pregnancy, the surrogate receives regular prenatal care, similar to any pregnancy. This includes routine check-ups, ultrasounds, and medical monitoring to ensure a healthy pregnancy progression. The journey culminates with pregnancy and delivery, where the surrogate gives birth to the child for the intended parents. Post-delivery, there is often a follow-up period to ensure the surrogate’s physical recovery and emotional well-being.
What to Expect as a Surrogate
Becoming a surrogate involves a significant emotional commitment. Surrogates often experience a range of feelings throughout the process, from excitement and fulfillment to emotional attachment. Support systems, including family, friends, and professional psychological support provided by agencies, play a role in navigating these emotions. Understanding that the child is genetically related to the intended parents, not the surrogate, helps manage expectations.
The time commitment and demands associated with surrogacy are substantial. This includes attending numerous appointments for medical screenings, evaluations, embryo transfer, and regular prenatal care. The entire process, from initial application to post-delivery follow-up, can span 12 to 18 months.
Financial compensation is provided to surrogates for their time, effort, and expenses incurred throughout the journey. This compensation covers various aspects, including medical co-pays, travel, lost wages, and other pregnancy-related costs. The specific amounts and structure of compensation vary depending on the agency and individual agreements.
The relationship with the intended parents is a unique aspect of the surrogacy experience. Communication and boundaries are established early in the process. This relationship can range from frequent interaction to more limited contact. The impact on a surrogate’s personal life and family is considerable, as the pregnancy and related commitments affect daily routines and family dynamics. Many surrogates describe the experience as rewarding, finding satisfaction in helping others achieve their dream of parenthood.