Wondering if You’re Ready to Become a Surrogate / Gestational Carrier?
It’s a question we hear a lot. There seems to be a million different agencies out there, and they all seem to have different qualifications. You may qualify at one but not the other. It can all be pretty overwhelming!
Our team at Surrogacy Mentor are experts in surrogacy and we are here to help. We will list some of the basic qualification criteria to help you determine if now is the right time for you.
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Basic Criteria to Qualify as a Surrogate
Given birth to at least one child of your own, with an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery history.
Age- Between 21-43
U.S. Citizen and Residing in the USA
Not reliant on government assistance
BMI no higher than 35
Be able to pass a criminal background check (and anyone 18+ living with you)
If you meet those basic requirements, you are off to a great start! Now let’s dig a little deeper.
TAKE THE SURROGACY QUIZ CHAT WITH A SURROGATE
Readiness Sign #1: You Have the Support of Your Partner (or Close Support Network of Friends and Family)
Becoming a surrogate is a huge undertaking , both physically and practically. Logistical support also plays a big role in helping a surrogacy journey run smoothly. This is why it's so helpful to have the support from those around you.
There is a tremendous amount of time and effort that goes into the process before you even get pregnant. There is going to be LOTS of paperwork, emails, video chats, phone calls, travel, monitoring, labs, ultrasounds, etc. That’s where that logistical support comes in. There are a lot of moving parts, and as much as we as moms like to think we can do it all, having a support system around to help if you need it is the key to success. It is also crucial that if you have a spouse or partner, that they be in full support of you being a surrogate.
TAKE THE SURROGACY QUIZ CHAT WITH A SURROGATE
Readiness Sign #2: You Have the Time to Dedicate to the Process of Surrogacy
There is a lot of hurry up and wait in the beginning, and you must understand that communication and timely responses are not only essential, but expected. If you are the type of person who takes 5 days to respond to a text, you have to evaluate if you are ready and able to be more responsive, or perhaps it’s just not the right time for surrogacy in your life. Take a moment to really look at your day to day life. Maybe you are a stay at home mom, maybe you work outside the home. You probably have kids in school and sports. Be sure you have the flexibility in your schedule to work in the communication and appointments that are part of the surrogacy process. If you aren't sure what to expect, reach out to us at Surrogacy Mentor and we can help give you a realistic idea of what is involved.
TAKE THE SURROGACY QUIZ CHAT WITH A SURROGATE
Readiness Sign #3: You are in a Good Place Emotionally in Your Life
How do you handle stress? Are there a lot of outside factors that are causing stress and anxiety in your life? Are you currently taking any medication for anxiety or depression?
Pregnancy in general can be physically and mentally exhausting some days. Then let's toss in the added layer of carrying a pregnancy for someone else, a handful of IVF hormones, and daily life stressors and it can be a lot for even the most “together” mom. Making sure that you are in a good stable frame of mind, and have good coping skills to handle stressful situations will make all the difference in a surrogacy journey.
Surrogacy is a big decision. If you are dedicated, prepared, and in it for the right reasons, it could be one of the greatest journeys ever.
TAKE THE SURROGACY QUIZ CHAT WITH A SURROGATE