Gestational surrogacy is a special way for people to have a baby when they can’t carry one themselves. It helps families grow, especially when health problems make pregnancy unsafe or impossible.
But not everyone can become a surrogate. There are rules to make sure the baby, the parents, and the surrogate stay healthy and safe. In this blog, we’ll talk about the reasons why someone might not be allowed to be a surrogate. If you’re thinking about becoming one, this is important to know before you start the journey.
One big reason someone might not be allowed to be a surrogate is their age. Most clinics want surrogates to be between 21 and 40 years old. This helps make sure the pregnancy is as safe as possible.
When women get older, there’s a higher chance of health problems during pregnancy. These may include:
Miscarriage (losing the baby early)
High blood pressure
Swelling, bad headaches, and blurry vision (a condition called preeclampsia)
Having the baby too early
Diabetes that happens only during pregnancy
Besides age, health is also very important. Surrogates need to be in good overall health. If someone has a serious health problem or takes medicine that isn’t safe during pregnancy, they can’t be a surrogate.
Here are some health conditions that can stop someone from being a surrogate:
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Epilepsy (a condition that causes seizures)
Heart or blood problems
Severe asthma
These health issues can make pregnancy unsafe for both the surrogate and the baby.
Gestational carrier candidates must have a history of complication-free pregnancy and live birth in order to qualify to become a surrogate. While having at least one successful past pregnancy is required, having more than 5 (and more than two c-sections) will also disqualify a candidate, as having many pregnancies increases the risk of uterine rupture.
Women who have experienced certain pregnancy complications in the past may be disqualified from becoming gestational surrogates. Complications such as preeclampsia, insulin-dependent gestational diabetes, or repeated miscarriages raise concerns about the surrogate’s ability to carry a pregnancy to term without posing significant risks to herself or the baby.
Surrogacy agencies conduct thorough background checks to ensure the potential surrogate’s lifestyle is conducive to a healthy pregnancy. Substance use, including smoking and illicit drug use, can be disqualifying factors, as well as alcohol dependence and eating disorders. Smoking and taking hormones during an IVF cycle increases the risk of deadly blood clots. Prior smokers and those having recovered from eating disorders will be considered but subject to additional screening and must show at least six months smoke and relapse-free. A surrogate must be committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle before embryo transfer and throughout the pregnancy.
The emotional and mental well-being of the surrogate is of utmost importance. Women with a history of certain mental health conditions, such as severe depression or anxiety disorders, might be disqualified due to the potential impact of these conditions on the pregnancy and the surrogate’s ability to manage the emotional aspects of the process. During the screening process, surrogate candidates will undergo very extensive psychological testing. Here are just a few of the screening qualifiers:
Past severe postpartum depression and/or psychosis is an absolute disqualification. Given the amount of hormones taken and the unique nature of surrogacy, the risks of recurrence are high.
Surrogacy involves intricate legal processes and contracts. Not only will surrogates undergo a thorough medical, psychological, and background screening, anyone over the age of 18 living in the same home as the potential gestational carrier will too. Surrogates, their partners, adult children, etc, with prior felony convictions, open legal matters, or unresolved child custody issues can disqualify a surrogate candidate due to the potential complications these issues could pose during the surrogacy journey. For example, a recent bankruptcy causes concern related to the motivation to serve as a surrogate. A currently pending divorce is not a disqualifier, per se. However, the divorce must be finalized before proceeding, as spouses must sign surrogacy contracts before the journey starts.
“It takes a village” doesn’t just apply to raising a child. It also applies to the surrogacy journey. Gestational surrogacy requires a strong support system, both emotionally and physically. Surrogates without a solid network of friends and family to help them through the process might be disqualified.
As mentioned before, spouses/partners and adults living in the same home must comply with screening and demonstrate their support – both emotional and physical – and have no history of domestic violence, emotional instability, criminal history, or present any signs of disapproval, coercion, or financial-motivation.
Gestational surrogacy offers a remarkable path to parenthood for individuals who can’t conceive naturally. However, strict disqualifiers are in place to safeguard the health and well-being of all parties involved. If you’re considering becoming a gestational surrogate, it’s essential to understand these disqualifying factors and ensure you meet the necessary criteria before embarking on this profound journey. Always consult a reputable surrogacy agency like ours to get accurate information tailored to your situation. If you or your partner are considering taking the first step toward serving as a surrogate, we’d love to help! Click the “Connect” button above or here to start your journey.
