If you’re interested in becoming a surrogate, reach out to us today to get more information about how to become a surrogate and the steps you need to take.
When you want to be a surrogate mother, you not only change your life forever, but also the lives of intended parents who have been waiting to have a child. Surrogacy is one of the most amazing gifts you can possibly give to someone else.
Becoming a surrogate mother is a great commitment and responsibility, and there are several important steps you’ll need to complete before you can begin the process of surrogacy.
To help you learn more about how you become a surrogate mother, we’ve listed the three initial steps involved in becoming a gestational surrogate:
Step 1: Research surrogacy to see if you meet necessary surrogate requirements.
The procedure for becoming a surrogate mother can be complicated to understand at the start. It’s recommended that any woman considering becoming a gestational surrogate do extensive research and speak with a surrogacy professional before getting started on this life-changing process.
Fortunately, there is a wealth of information available online, including throughout this website, and plenty of surrogacy professionals willing to discuss what the process to be a surrogate mother is like.
Before you apply to be a surrogate mother, a great place to start is learning more about the requirements of becoming a surrogate mother.
In general, there are two different sets of requirements you’ll have to meet to become a surrogate:
Medical Requirements for Becoming a Surrogate
One of the most important requirements to be a surrogate is the ability to carry a pregnancy to term safely and without complications. To make sure a surrogate can do this, most surrogacy professionals set certain medical standards, including:
- A certain age, usually over 21 and younger than 43
- A healthy BMI
- At least one successful previous pregnancy
- Raising at least one child at home
- No use of drugs or alcohol
- No major complications from previous pregnancies
- Free of treatable STDS
These requirements are often just the basics recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. However, each surrogacy professional will set their own requirements to become a surrogate. Keep in mind that any qualifications to become a surrogate are meant to help you. Everyone involved wants you to have the best process, and these requirements set you up for success.
Psychological Requirements for Becoming a Surrogate
Every woman must undergo psychological screening before she can be a gestational surrogate mother.
Surrogacy can be amazing, but it can also be challenging. There might be confusing emotions, like carrying a child for someone else, and navigating your family and friends’ involvement in the surrogacy process.
These requirements for becoming a surrogate are meant to help you prepare for (and overcome) any challenges you might face.
Most professionals will also require prospective surrogates to:
- Have no history of postpartum depression
- Stopped any use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications for at least 12 months
- Have no mental or psychological conditions that may affect their ability to carry a baby safely to term
All intended parents will also need to go through a similar screening process to make sure they are prepared for the emotions of surrogacy.
You are not alone during any of these steps, including this screening. Support will always be available from surrogacy professionals every step of the way.
Step 2: Speak with a surrogacy professional to discuss your surrogacy goals.
If you want to be a surrogate mother, it’s important that you contact an appropriate surrogacy professional to help you learn what your personal surrogacy process may look like.
Every surrogacy journey is unique, and only an experienced surrogacy professional can give you an accurate idea of what it will be like becoming a surrogate mother with their surrogacy program.
During this initial conversation with a surrogacy specialist, you will be asked about your preferences for your surrogacy process, including:
- Whether you wish to complete a compensated or altruistic surrogacy
- What you are looking for in intended parents
- Why surrogacy sounds like an amazing option for you
- Whether you have identified intended parents or will need to find them through an agency
- What specific types of support will make your process the best possible
Your surrogacy professional will help you identify the surrogacy goals and preferences that are important to you. From there, they will work with you to create a surrogacy plan that lays out how to become a surrogate mother in a way that addresses all of those goals and preferences.
If you’d like to get started today, here are a few surrogacy professionals you could contact:
Step 3: Complete your screening and become a surrogate.
Once your surrogacy professional makes sure you meet all the necessary requirements mentioned above, they’ll walk you through any steps that are specific to their program. These final parts usually include completing any remaining screenings and background checks.
Know that this process will always be completely free to you as a prospective surrogate, so your surrogacy professional will help with any financial needs.
Once you have completed these three important steps, you can officially start the practical process of becoming a surrogate mother, which includes:
- Finding intended parents
- Completing a legal contract
- Undergoing the medical process
- Delivering a healthy baby
Just as they will guide you through the initial steps of becoming a surrogate, your surrogacy professional should also guide you through these final steps of the surrogacy process once you are officially approved to become a surrogate.
If you want to learn more about the process of becoming a surrogate or what requirements need to be met, contact us online when you’re ready. We’re here to help!