To protect the health of the future baby, as well as minimize risks to the gestational carrier, prospective surrogates must meet certain health requirements. While these standards may vary by clinic, there are some standard requirements that are widely accepted and are defined by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
Since the health of the surrogate is always a primary concern, that is where the following information is going to focus.
Here is a list of basic surrogate health requirements:
Note: Some of these surrogate qualifications or surrogate health requirements might be different in other surrogate clinics in the same city and state.
Each prospective surrogate must go through a psychological screening process. This is necessary in order to look at the potential existence of historical genetic-driven psychological disorders and the current mental/emotional stability of the prospective surrogate. Remember, most surrogates are going to face emotional challenges as they go through the surrogacy process, especially if it’s their first time.
As an agency, we have answered many questions from prospective surrogates about qualifying for the process. Here are the most common questions that we get.
We accept candidates between the ages of 21 and 40. There is a need to make sure the surrogate has the maturity to consent to the complexities of the medical cycle, as well as handle the unique stressors that come with being a gestational carrier. On the upper end of the spectrum, advanced maternal age increases the risk for several medical conditions.
Yes! In fact, it’s a preferable situation. Why? Some types of hormonal birth control can delay resumption of normal menstrual cycles, which leads to a delay in the surrogacy embryo transfer schedule.
HPV is very common. It can cause changes to cervical cells. However, if you have had normal pap smear results and no symptoms, HPV would not disqualify you from becoming a surrogate.
It depends. PCOS impacts ovulation, but it also increases your risk for gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. In very mild cases, with an uncomplicated pregnancy history, a surrogate may be approved.
Herpes is another common STD and not an automatic disqualification. However, like any transmittable disease, your Intended Parents would be informed that this is part of your medical history. Should you an outbreak occur close to delivery, it is likely that a cesarean would be performed to minimize the transmission risk to baby.
You may be considered with very mild endometriosis. A hysteroscopy would be performed to biopsy the endometrial tissue to check for abnormalities before proceeding further.
