If you are here, you have probably already given real thought to becoming a surrogate. You want to help someone build their family, and that says a lot about the kind of person you are. So we want to answer your question honestly and early, then walk you through the reasons behind it.
The short answer is no. To become a gestational surrogate, you need to have been pregnant and delivered at least one healthy baby before. This is one of the firmest requirements in surrogacy, and it is not something an agency or a fertility clinic can waive. Here is why it exists, and what your options are if you are not eligible yet.
The requirement is about safety, yours and the baby’s, not about doubting you.
When a woman has already carried a pregnancy to term, a lot is known about how her body handles it. Her care team can see how she responded to changes in blood pressure, how she managed weight gain, whether she had complications like gestational diabetes or anemia, and how she recovered afterward. That history helps everyone make safer decisions.
If you have never been pregnant, none of that is known yet. Not by you, not by your doctor, and not by the intended parents who are counting on a healthy pregnancy. A first pregnancy always carries more unknowns, and surrogacy is not the place to take those on for the first time.
There is an emotional side too. Pregnancy and birth change how many women feel, sometimes in ways they did not expect. Going through that for the first time while carrying a baby you will place with someone else adds a weight that is hard to predict. The requirement exists so that no one, including you, is caught off guard.
Being turned away right now is not a reflection of your character or your intentions. It simply means the timing is not right.
If you go on to have a child of your own and still feel called to be a surrogate, you would likely be a strong candidate. Plenty of women first think about surrogacy years before the timing lines up. Your interest now is worth holding on to.
Some people land on this page who actually have had a child and are just starting to look into surrogacy. If that is you, a prior delivery is only the first requirement. To become a surrogate with our Philadelphia program, you generally also need to:
You can see the full list on our surrogate requirements page. If you are close but not certain, we are happy to talk it through with you.
We are a Philadelphia-based agency, and members of our team have been surrogates and intended parents themselves. When you have questions, you are talking with people who understand the journey from the inside.
If you have carried a pregnancy before and want to explore becoming a surrogate, we would be glad to hear from you. You can apply to our program or reach out with your questions first.
If you have not given birth yet, thank you for the heart you are bringing to this. We hope you will keep us in mind down the road.
Questions? Contact our Recruitment & Intake Manager, Kaci Moore at kaci@philadelphiasurrogates.com.
