The Screening Process: What it takes to get cleared to be a surrogate
So, you’ve decided to become a surrogate and you want to get cleared ASAP. Easy right? Unfortunately, no. While we wish we could allow every single person who wants to help a family have the baby they’ve dreamed of, in the interest of allowing the intended parents to have the best chance of actually bringing a baby home, the screening process for gestational surrogates is extremely rigorous and a very small percentage of women actually make it through the entire way. But, please don’t let that discourage you from applying! Intended parents need kind hearted, generous women like you! What exactly does that screening process entail? Here’s a brief overview of what it takes to get cleared to be a surrogate!
The Initial Intake Form
The initial intake form can be found on our website here. It basically looks for obvious disqualifications. Here are some examples of the basic criteria:
Preferably 21-35 years of age, up to healthy early 40s
Resides in New Mexico
Has given birth at least once and is currently raising that child
Body Mass Index (BMI) above 18 and below 32 (in some instances, a higher BMI is acceptable). Calculate my BMI.
Does not use illegal drugs, smoke cigarettes or marijuana, or abuse alcohol
Does not participate in certain government aid programs, including cash assistance, welfare, Section 8 housing or Medicaid
Women who have IUDs, contraceptive implants or have had the Depo Provera shot may apply; however, your application may be placed on hold
Has not undergone the Essure or Adiana procedure
Has the support and understanding of a spouse or close family
Extensive Application
If you filled out the Initial Intake Form and there are no obvious disqualifications, someone from New Mexico Surrogacy will contact you to fill out a more extensive application. This will ask many more detailed questions and background information that will allow us to decide whether we can move forward with you.
Medical Records and Medical Screening
If everything looks good on the extensive application, you’ll fill out medical releases that will allow all of your pregnancy and OBGYN related medical records to be released to us. We will then send these to one of our trusted medical doctors to review and make a determination if you could be a good candidate, medically. They’ll look for medical issues and whether you have anything too high risk that would disqualify you. Even if you pass the initial medical records screening, you’ll, of course, have an extensive medical screening that will also need to be passed to move forward later in the process.
Background Check
After the above has taken place, a background check will be performed on every adult living in the house. Why every adult? Because these people will be around you as you are carrying this child, so it’s important to know that it will be a safe, healthy environment!
Psychological Screening
A psychological screening is required of you and your partner. Don’t worry…it’s not as scary as it sounds! You will meet with a licensed psychologist who will speak with you about surrogacy to ensure you are fully informed and aware of everything that will take place and make sure you have the support you need around you!
In Person Interview
Every adult living in the household will also need to go through an in person interview with the New Mexico Surrogacy Intake Coordinator or someone else from New Mexico Surrogacy. This is so we can get to know you and everyone living with you and get a feel for your personalities!
Many people are shocked at the number of steps one must go through to get cleared to be a qualified gestational surrogate, but it’s very important to only clear those women who have the best opportunity to carry a healthy child to term. Many intended parents have been through very long, difficult and emotional infertility journeys, and it’s essential to ensure we give them the best chance possible to hold their baby in their arms at the end of their journey.
Thank you for considering surrogacy. It is such an amazing gift. If you are even considering it and would like to ask us more questions, please fill out an intake form today, and someone will be in touch with you soon!