surrogates
What Are the Qualifications to Become a Surrogate?
You’re Supporting Them, We’re Supporting You as a Gestational Surrogate
It takes a team to create the dream. We want everyone to be safe, healthy, and happy on this journey so we have a few requirements for our surrogates to ensure everyone’s goals are met:
Individual Requirements to Become a Gestational Surrogate
- Between the age of 23-39 years old
- Having a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 19-30
- Must be a non-smoker for at least 2 years + living in a non-smoking home
- Clean criminal background (surrogate + spouse)
- Surrogate and partner must undergo psychological screening
- Have a supportive spouse/partner, friend, or family member
- Must agree to a home study with all the residents and pets
- Must be a US Citizen or a Permanent Resident
- Must live in a surrogacy legal state
Medical Requirements to Become a Gestational Surrogate
- Has given birth to at least one child of their own
- Must be able to obtain OB/GYN records and doctor’s clearance letter
- No more than 5 deliveries and 3 c-sections. (Minimum Gestation: Singleton - 37 weeks / Multiples - 33 weeks)
- Must have uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries (including but not limited to preterm labor, toxemia, incompetent cervix, pre-eclampsia, and pregnancy-induced hypertension)
- No recent history of mental health illnesses or taking medications (anxiety, depression, bi-polar, postpartum depression)
Financial Requirements to Become a Gestational Surrogate
- Not currently receiving government assistance (cash aid, state funded insurance, or food stamps)
- Financially stable and able to support your family
For more information on individual requirements to become a gestational surrogate or to ask questions specific to your situation, email or schedule a free 15-minute call to chat live with our Surrogate Coordinator.
Take the next step in becoming a surrogate.
Make the difference you were designed to make.
Get An Estimate Of Your Compensation As A Surrogate Mother
As a surrogate, you’ll be dedicating your body, time, and emotions for a cause that far surpasses what many people are willing to do. That’s exactly why our surrogate mothers are appreciated and generously compensated so that you can contribute to your family’s finances too. Our surrogates have been able to buy houses, pay off their debts, take time off work to raise their kids, enjoy their dream vacations with family and more!
Ready to Become One of Our Dream-Makers?
While becoming a surrogate is one of the most altruistic and rewarding things a woman can do, there are some situations that can arise during the process that are good to think about while looking for your match.
- Are you prepared to administer medicine for 4 weeks leading up to pregnancy and up to 10 weeks following pregnancy confirmation?
- Are you emotionally ready for the effort of carrying a baby to term?
- Can you 100% commit to the whole process and give it the time it requires?
There are many great moments in the surrogacy journey, the greatest of which is seeing a new parent hold the baby that they’ve longed for after years of wishing.
Got questions about becoming a surrogate? We are here to answer them for you!
No. Unfortunately, you cannot be a surrogate if you have never given birth previously. This is because we require previous birthing records to assess how your past pregnancies were. Further, it is best to already have a child of your own to really understand how you will cope with a pregnancy and a child that in the end, you will not be able to keep.
No, you do not need health insurance to become a surrogate. We will find a medical plan for you that will be paid for by the intended parents on your behalf. However, do note that only expenses related to the pregnancy will be paid for by the intended parents.
Yes, you can. Since you are not using your eggs to create the embryos, you do not even need to have tubes at all! You will become pregnant following in-vitro fertilization (IVF), meaning that your tubes will never be used in the pregnancy process at all.
Family Inceptions pre-screens all potential gestational surrogates. The pre-screening tests include a criminal background check on you and your spouse/partner (if you have one), a psychological evaluation (to determine if your level of commitment to the surrogacy is sufficient to proceed), and a thorough review of your medical records.
You will also undergo a medical examination that will involve screening both you and your spouse/partner for sexually transmitted diseases as well as a gynecological examination for you. It’s important to note that each clinic has its own individual protocols and medical screenings that it deems necessary. We understand that this sounds like a lot. Don’t worry. It’s more intimidating on paper than in practice.
Pro-life doesn’t necessarily equate to no-termination when it comes to surrogacy. The baby you will be carrying is extremely wanted. Consider what an infertile couple must endure before finally settling on surrogacy – miscarriages, surgeries and procedures, failed attempts at IVF. Year after year of having their dreams of starting a family derailed by a condition outside of their control.
When it comes to surrogacy, pregnancy termination isn’t abortion, and the two should not be lumped into the same category.
For Family Inceptions and the parents we work with, termination of a surrogate pregnancy isn’t done because the baby is a boy when they wanted a girl. It isn’t done because the intended parents changed their minds. It isn’t done because of physical conditions or birth defects, such as a cleft palate or limb deformity. Termination isn’t done because a baby isn’t “perfect”. For our intended parents, a termination of a surrogate pregnancy would be done in the most extreme circumstances – when there is a medical condition that cannot be fixed with surgery outside of your womb, such as chromosomal abnormalities. This medical condition would affect the quality of life for the baby, if they even made it to that point.
Don’t see your question here? Email your questions to our Surrogate Coordinator at or schedule a free, no-obligation 15-minute consultation to chat live.
