Gestational surrogacy is a transformative journey for everyone involved. Helping another family achieve their dreams of becoming a parent and becoming a parent are both deeply profound and rewarding experiences.
Surrogacy qualifications and requirements are determined by multiple stakeholders, from your surrogacy agency to the IVF clinic and your State’s legislation.
If you’re considering becoming a gestational surrogate, review the following surrogacy disqualifications and ask yourself if you’re prepared, physically and mentally, to embark on this exciting journey.
When considering the journey of surrogacy, it's essential to understand that there are specific requirements and qualifications in place to ensure the safety and health of all parties involved, particularly the surrogate and the baby. These requirements are not only for medical reasons but also encompass other crucial factors that could impact the surrogacy process and success rate. Below are some of the most common disqualifications that may prevent someone from becoming a surrogate:
These disqualifications are put in place to safeguard the health of the surrogate and the baby, as well as to ensure that the surrogacy journey is as smooth and successful as possible. Below we delve into each of these factors and explain why they disqualify someone from becoming a surrogate.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder commonly affecting women of reproductive age. It can cause irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, and other health issues.
Those who suffer from PCOS have a higher chance of developing Gestational Diabetes, Endometrial Cancer, and Preeclampsia. Additionally, women who suffer from PCOS are known to produce a significant amount of the male hormone Androgen. Because of this, one may exhibit symptoms such as missed or irregular periods, body hair, weight gain, and acne.
Androgen also prevents the female reproductive system from releasing a healthy egg from the ovary into the fallopian tubes, making it harder to conceive a child. We service gestational surrogacy, so the surrogate does not share a genetic connection with the child they carry, though successfully carrying the pregnancy is what everyone involved is hoping for. Despite there being treatment for PCOS, for these reasons, women with PCOS cannot be a surrogate with Hatch Fertility.
Preeclampsia is a medical condition that presents symptoms such as high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and kidney damage. At worst, preeclampsia can affect a gestational carrier’s kidneys and liver, cause neurological symptoms, compromise blood flow from the placenta to the baby, or escalate to eclampsia.
Discovering preeclampsia during pregnancy may necessitate inducing labor before the due date or even before viability if preeclampsia occurs early in pregnancy, which can be extremely difficult for surrogates and intended parents pursuing gestational surrogacy. These health issues typically make carrying a pregnancy to term dangerous for both the gestational carrier and the baby. For these reasons, those diagnosed with preeclampsia are not qualified to become surrogates with Hatch.
Being a little overweight won’t prevent you from becoming a surrogate, especially if you've had previous pregnancies at a similar weight without complications. However, women classified as underweight, morbidly obese or with a BMI over 32 will have to consider their weight in order to qualify as surrogates. There are medical complications in pregnancy that are associated with being over or underweight.
Most agencies don't have a minimum weight requirement, but the lower end typically stays above 19 because this can impact menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and lead to premature birth. A pre-pregnancy BMI over 32 can also lead to an increased risk of complications in pregnancy such as gestational diabetes.
At Hatch Fertility, potential surrogates should have a BMI no higher than 32. Caculate your BMI and see if you qualify.
Due to medical risk factors associated with diabetes, women experiencing Type 1 Diabetes cannot become surrogates. As this is a lifelong disease that affects the control of your blood sugar, you’ll experience hormonal-related glucose intolerance during the prenatal period of your gestational surrogacy.
Some women who do not have pre-existing diabetes outside of pregnancy may experience gestational diabetes, disqualifying them for surrogacy. Sometimes women experience gestational diabetes that does not recur in future pregnancies, and it is well managed with diet alone. In this case, the surrogate may still be a good candidate if she has a recent normal A1c and fasting glucose test.
Risk factors associated with gestational diabetes include:
Because of the risks gestational diabetes poses to pregnancy, surrogacy agencies don’t accept women with gestational diabetes requiring the use of insulin or similar medications.
Endometriosis occurs when the tissue lining a woman’s uterus grows outside the womb, including the ovaries, fallopian tube, cervix, bladder, and even the tissue that holds the uterus in place. Endometriosis makes it harder to conceive and can cause infertility--still, women with endometriosis can undergo surgery to remove these growths. Endometriosis is a disqualifier for surrogates, where it is of the utmost importance that medical conditions haven’t compromised their ability to carry a pregnancy to term.
Source: News Medical
Although one C-section may not disqualify you from becoming a surrogate, multiple C-sections will. Most clinics only accept surrogates with no more than two previous C-sections; some agencies will get candidates with three C-sections if the pregnancies are uncomplicated and they pass a mock cycle determined by the surrogacy agency and chosen fertility clinic. However, the exact number of C-sections you can have hasn't been established yet.
At Hatch Fertility, prospective surrogates with three C-Sections must have less than five total deliveries and pass a mock cycle to qualify.
Other severe medical conditions unrelated to pregnancy could disqualify a surrogate, such as undergoing cancer treatment, mental illnesses, requiring non-pregnancy safe medication/treatment, and any conditions that require medications deemed unsafe for pregnancy.
Agencies defer to IVF doctors to set the parameters for the health and safety of surrogates and babies alike by providing them with medical records to review for surrogate candidates in the best effort to mitigate avoidable risks. At Hatch, our team works with candidates to support them through the medical record collection process.
Agencies and IVF clinics require their surrogates to have given birth to at least one child they are raising. Ideally, the prospecting surrogate has a healthy birth history. Many have questioned why agencies have this requirement at the top of their lists. Without having a previous child, agencies can't clarify whether a potential surrogate can carry a child to term. Apart from that, it also shows the agency that the women are psychologically prepared for pregnancy. It is crucial for surrogates to have had a child prior to surrogacy to ensure their body and mind are capable of the tall task of pregnancy.
You must be between the ages of 21 and 42 to qualify as a surrogate. If you are under or over this age limit, there are increased chances of pregnancy complications. However, note that the age restrictions will differ from one agency to the next.
Under 21: Women under 21 are generally considered too young for the responsibilities that surrogacy entails. Maturity and experience are crucial for making sensitive judgment calls and adhering to the rigorous schedule and instructions required during pregnancy.
Over 42: On the other end, women over 42 face additional health risks that can affect both the surrogate and the baby. These risks include:
Despite drinking and smoking not being labeled as illegal behaviors, they are not healthy habits for pregnant women. Therefore, prospective surrogates with any history of drug or alcohol abuse get eliminated from the vetting process. Surrogates must abstain from tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol products pre-conception and throughout the surrogacy.
One of the qualifications for becoming a surrogate through Hatch Fertility is U.S. citizenship. This requirement is in place to ensure legal and logistical ease throughout the surrogacy process. Surrogacy laws vary significantly from country to country, and even state to state within the U.S. By ensuring that surrogates are U.S. citizens, Hatch Fertility can provide consistent legal support, streamline the medical processes, and ensure compliance with U.S. surrogacy laws. This helps create a secure and stable environment for the surrogacy journey, benefiting both the surrogate and the intended parents.
Surrogacy laws in the United States vary widely from state to state, affecting the surrogacy process significantly. Some states have supportive laws that provide a clear legal framework for surrogacy agreements, while others have restrictive or unclear laws that can complicate or even prohibit surrogacy arrangements. Due to non-friendly surrogacy laws, we are currently not accepting surrogates residing in the following states:
Ensuring a safe and stable living environment is a critical factor in the surrogacy process. While the term "unsafe" can sound harsh, it encompasses a range of criteria that could negatively impact the health and well-being of the surrogate and the baby. Agencies must ensure that their surrogates live in a stable environment that will not negatively impact their pregnancies. All intended parents want to be reassured that their surrogate is in a healthy environment conducive to pregnancy. It is up to the agencies to determine that a potential surrogate is committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Women experiencing financial difficulties, receiving state assistance such as food stamps, or having serious concerns about their criminal and financial background checks will not qualify to become a surrogate with Hatch.
The requirements for becoming a surrogate are designed to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of both the surrogate and the baby. By adhering to these guidelines, Hatch Fertility can provide a secure and supportive surrogacy journey, minimizing risks and maximizing the chances of a successful outcome.
Embarking on a surrogacy journey is a significant commitment that involves not just the surrogate but also a network of supportive individuals. Here's why having a strong support system is so important for surrogates:
Surrogacy can be as emotionally taxing as it is rewarding. A reliable support network ensures that surrogates have people to lean on during both joyful and challenging times. Friends, family, and loved ones can provide the emotional warmth and encouragement needed throughout the process.
A stable support system can help ensure a safe living environment. If a surrogate resides in a less secure area, having loved ones nearby reduces potential risks. Furthermore, proximity to the clinic is vital. When appointments or emergencies arise, a support network can assist with transportation, ensuring timely and stress-free visits to healthcare facilities.
While surrogates are compensated, having a financial safety net is essential. A stable financial situation helps maintain the surrogate's health and well-being, crucial for a successful journey. Support from family can alleviate financial pressures, ensuring that the surrogate is neither reliant on assistance nor places additional financial responsibilities on intended parents.
If you’re considering becoming a surrogate and have questions about the qualifications or disqualifications, the first step is to start a prescreen application. This application is designed to help both you and Hatch determine if you meet the basic criteria for surrogacy.
Once you submit the application, our team of coordinators will review it and reach out to address any concerns you have. You can expect them to offer clear answers and personalized advice to guide you through the next steps of your surrogacy journey.
Here’s what to expect:
By taking this initial step, you ensure you're informed and prepared as you embark on this rewarding journey.
Surrogates choose Hatch Fertility for our commitment to safety, support, and success throughout the surrogacy journey. With an impressive 99.5% success rate and over 30 years of service, Hatch Fertility has earned a reputation for providing comprehensive and compassionate care. We offer top-tier medical support, expert legal assistance, and emotional and psychological services to ensure a healthy and fulfilling experience.
Our competitive surrogate compensation packages, personalized matching process, and around the clock support further enhance the surrogacy journey, making Hatch Fertility the preferred choice for surrogates seeking a reliable and supportive partner.
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