WHAT IS A SURROGATE MOTHER?
TRADITIONAL SURROGATE
GESTATIONAL SURROGATE
![Gestational Surrogacy](https://philadelphiasurrogates.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Gestational-Surrogacy.jpg)
WHY HIRE A SURROGATE MOTHER?
- A woman may be unable to get pregnant or carry a baby due to problems with her uterus, including a hysterectomy.
- She may have serious medical condition that makes pregnancy risky for both mother and baby.
- She may have tried to get pregnant but has not been successful.
- A couple may have been unable to adopt a baby.
- A gay male couple want a baby that is biologically related to them, but needs a woman to carry the baby.
AM I READY TO BECOME A SURROGATE MOTHER?
You’ve wondered how to become a surrogate. It’s a huge step and one that should not be taken lightly. There are important questions you should ask yourself before becoming a surrogate mother. Let’s look at some of them:
1. WILL I FEEL OKAY HANDING THE BABY OVER TO ANOTHER FAMILY?
As a surrogate mother, you’ll be carrying an infant in your womb for nine months and then handing the baby over to another family. How will you feel about that? Even though the baby is not biologically related, the baby has grown inside your womb, and it not out-of-the-ordinary to have complex feelings of joy and relief, but also sadness.
2. CAN I COMMIT TO BEING A SURROGATE?
You’re wondering how to become a surrogate. The thought process should begin before you commit to being a surrogate. It’s a huge step with lots of medical, emotional, and legal implications.
To be a surrogate, you need to commit the process for a minimum of twelve to fifteen months. That means you need to take care of yourself, attend a variety of appointments at the fertility clinic, take injectable medications for several months, go to prenatal visits, take your prenatal vitamins, and follow your doctor’s advice. If you are put on bed rest, for example, your entire family has to commit to a change in routine.
You need to be in constant communication with the intended parents. They will want to know how you’re doing and if the baby is healthy inside you.
In addition to your medical responsibilities, there will more than likely be emotional implications. You’ll be pregnant, and pregnancy can lead to a wide range of emotions, some driven by hormones. As you grow into your pregnancy, the baby you’re carrying gets bigger and bigger, and that’s more physical stress on you and your joints. Then when that’s all done, you’re expected to hand the baby over to the individual or the couple. That can be emotionally difficult.
![Become-a-surrogate in Pennsylvania](https://philadelphiasurrogates.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Become-a-surrogate-in-Pennsylvania.jpg)
3. WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A SURROGATE?
4. AM I HEALTHY ENOUGH TO BE A SURROGATE MOTHER IN PENNSYLVANIA?
5. DO I MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE AGENCY?
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ON HOW TO BECOME A SURROGATE MOTHER IN PA?
- You have to be at least 21 and no older than 40.
- You have been pregnant at least once, carried the baby to term, and parented that child.
- You cannot have a history of complicated pregnancies or deliveries.
- There must be no depression, mental illness, or illegal drug use in your background.
- Your living situation must be emotionally and financially stable.
- You enjoy pregnancy.
- You must be willing to take injectable medication.
- You must live in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or any other state that is surrogate friendly.
HOW ARE SURROGATE MOTHERS COMPENSATED?
Surrogate mothers are compensated according to each agency. For example, at the Surrogacy Center of Philadelphia, surrogates get compensated over $40,000. They are also paid for maternity clothing, medical insurance, childcare and housekeeping, lost wages, monthly allowance, etc.
WHERE CAN I GO TO BE A SURROGATE MOTHER?
![](https://philadelphiasurrogates.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Surrogacy-center-in-Pensylvania.jpg)