You Can Still Be A Gestational Surrogate, Even If...
There are so many women who are interested in becoming a surrogate for a loving couple or individual that are not able to carry themselves. While there are a lot of health requirements for becoming a surrogate, there are some things that may seem to you like a “no-go” that are actually no problem for becoming a gestational carrier.
You’ve Had a Tubal Ligation
If you’ve made the choice to have a tubal ligation in order to prevent your family from growing, you may think that disqualifies you from being a surrogate, too. But a tubal ligation is perfectly compatible with a surrogate pregnancy specifically because your own ovaries play no part in the process.
You are Single
Yes, this comes up often. People think they need a partner in order to qualify to be a surrogate, but you don’t! Having a good support system is extremely important but that can come from people other than a partner, such as family members or friends.
You had a Miscarriage
According to the March of Dimes, 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. Keep in mind that some of these pregnancies are miscarried before the woman even know she is pregnant, so she doesn’t know she miscarried. That’s HALF of all pregnancies! Miscarriages happen for many reasons and that doesn’t mean you are automatically a bad candidate for surrogacy.
You are Over 35
Age has always been a hard subject when it comes to pregnancy. Doctors start calling pregnancies “high risk” once the women are over 35 and throw around scary terms like Advanced Maternal Age. Medically, your uterus can still be in fine shape to carry pregnancies after 35. Most of our surrogates are under 40, but ethical guidelines allow women to be surrogates up to age 45.
You Currently Have an IUD or Other Long-Term Family Planning Device
Most forms of birth control are easily worked around for surrogacy. The medical clinic will let you know a good time to discontinue your current birth control. Usually fertility clinics request that you have 2 normal periods after discontinuing a long term birth control device.
You Don’t Currently Have Health Insurance (or Health Insurance That Covers Surrogacy)
Health insurance definitely helps the process of surrogacy because it makes it easier to match with intended parents as that means they don’t have to pay out of pocket for insurance or higher medical bills. However, not having medical insurance (or at least having medical insurance that doesn’t cover surrogacy) doesn’t automatically disqualify you. There are policies that intended parents can buy to cover your pregnancy.
The list of requirements for ideal surrogates is long, and for a good reason: everyone wants to ensure that embryo transferred has the best possible chance of becoming a baby. But not every condition automatically disqualifies you from becoming a surrogate. If you ever have any questions about becoming a surrogate give us a call or send us an email.