{"id":153,"date":"2022-04-04T15:28:06","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T19:28:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.surrogacyplace.com\/?p=153"},"modified":"2023-07-18T11:35:11","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T18:35:11","slug":"become-a-surrogate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/become-a-surrogate\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Become a Surrogate"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_66_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/become-a-surrogate\/#Lets_check_If_you_can_become_a_Surrogate\" title=\"Let&#8217;s check If you can become a Surrogate.\u00a0\">Let&#8217;s check If you can become a Surrogate.\u00a0<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/become-a-surrogate\/#First_do_you_fit_the_requirements\" title=\"First, do you fit the requirements?\">First, do you fit the requirements?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/become-a-surrogate\/#Matching_with_Intended_Parents\" title=\"Matching with Intended Parents\">Matching with Intended Parents<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/become-a-surrogate\/#Medical_clearance\" title=\"Medical clearance\">Medical clearance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/become-a-surrogate\/#Legal_agreements\" title=\"Legal agreements\u00a0\">Legal agreements\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/become-a-surrogate\/#Embryo_Transfer\" title=\"Embryo Transfer\u00a0\">Embryo Transfer\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/become-a-surrogate\/#Pregnancy_and_delivery_of_your_surro_baby\" title=\"Pregnancy and delivery of your surro baby!\u00a0\">Pregnancy and delivery of your surro baby!\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lets_check_If_you_can_become_a_Surrogate\"><\/span><strong>Let&#8217;s check If you can become a Surrogate.\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First_do_you_fit_the_requirements\"><\/span><strong>First, do you fit the requirements?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Surrogacy is not for everyone. There are legal and medical <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-eligibility-criteria\/\">requirements<\/a>, some of which are determined by your location and circumstances.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Below are some of the typical requirements which can vary, though not generally by much:\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Resident of a <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-friendly-states\/\">surrogacy-friendly<\/a> place e.g. most of the <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-for-international-parents\/\">United States<\/a> outside of <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-in-michigan\/\">Michigan<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-in-louisiana\/\">Louisiana<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-in-nebraska\/\">Nebraska<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>Between the age of 21-44\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>Have had at least one successful full-term <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-pregnancy\/\">pregnancy<\/a> and at least one biological child of your own that you are actively raising or have raised to adulthood.\u00a0\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>Have had no major pregnancy <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-risks-and-complications\/\">complications<\/a> in the past. This includes postpartum depression.\u00a0\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>No more than 4 C-sections, less is preferred generally (or in some cases required).\u00a0\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>Healthy BMI\/lifestyle and doesn&#8217;t smoke or use certain legal or illegal drugs.\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>A supportive\/safe environment including a steady income\/stable finances and a stable home.\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>Willingness to undergo background checks and psych\/medical evaluations.\u00a0\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>Willingness to take fertility <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-myth-experimental-medications\/\">medications<\/a> as needed.\u00a0\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>Willingness to forgo dangerous activities during pregnancy.\u00a0\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>Willingness to abstain from sexual activity as needed during critical <a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/humrep\/article\/15\/12\/2653\/2915864\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stages of embryo transfer\/development<\/a>.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Matching_with_Intended_Parents\"><\/span><strong>Matching with Intended Parents<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>Whether using an agency or using a <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-agency-alternatives\/\">self-matching<\/a> site like <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\">SurrogacyPlace.com,<\/a> you&#8217;ll need to have a clear idea of what you&#8217;re looking for in a surrogacy journey. This is especially true as you begin communicating your requirements to potential matches. You should match with candidates that have values that are similar to yours. This includes views on number of <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/alabama-ruling-on-embryos\/\">embryos<\/a> to transfer, views on abortion, thoughts on <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-and-vaccines\/\">vaccines<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/paid-surrogacy\/\">compensation<\/a> level, and what type of birth plan you&#8217;re most comfortable with. You&#8217;ll also need to decide on the level of involvement you&#8217;re looking for from Intended Parents e.g. Do you want your IPs present at doctor&#8217;s appointments? Do you want to keep in touch after the birth of their child(ren)?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Medical_clearance\"><\/span><strong>Medical clearance<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>After matching, you will authorize the transfer of your medical records to the Intended Parent(s) Reproductive Endocrinologist. He\/she will look at your past pregnancy history and do a formal in-person evaluation.\u00a0In most cases, you&#8217;ll also have to undergo a <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/psychological-impacts-of-surrogacy\/\">psychological<\/a> evaluation to determine whether or not you&#8217;re in the right state mentally for a surrogacy journey. A licensed psychologist will examine why you want to be a surrogate and evaluate any potential red flags with respect to lifestyle.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Legal_agreements\"><\/span><strong>Legal agreements\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>All surrogates must have their own legal representation with their attorney fees paid by the Intended Parent(s). Your lawyer along with the attorney representing your IP(s) will negotiate terms including compensation level, birth plan\/preferred hospital location, travel restrictions as you approach fetal viability, contingency plans in the event of unexpected complications or emergencies, and the establishment of the IP(s)&#8217; <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-and-legal-parentage\/\">parental rights<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Embryo_Transfer\"><\/span><strong>Embryo Transfer\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>If you are a <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/gestational-carrier-requirements\/\">gestational carrier<\/a>, after medical and legal are behind you, you&#8217;ll begin a medical protocol to prepare your body for embryo implantation. If you are a traditional carrier, <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-process\/\">the process<\/a> will be to prepare your body for (IUI) intrauterine insemination. You will take medications designed to regulate your menstrual cycle and thicken the lining of your uterus to prepare for embryo implantation. After your body has properly responded to the regimen of hormones and medications, the <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-embryo-transfer-process\/\">embryo transfer<\/a> process will occur.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pregnancy_and_delivery_of_your_surro_baby\"><\/span><strong>Pregnancy and delivery of your surro baby!\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>If the embryo transfer results in a pregnancy, congratulations to you and to your IP(s)! During pregnancy, you will be monitored by your usual OB-GYN and receive medical care as you would any of your own pregnancies. If the pregnancy goes well, you will delivery a child(ren) to your Intended Parents who will become the immediate legal guardians of the child(ren). There truly is nothing in the world that can describe the feeling of providing a child to those that need your help.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Do you feel you are qualified and would like to explore finding a potential match for your <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/independent-surrogacy-journey\/\">independent journey<\/a> (surrogacy without an agency)? <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/\">start here<\/a>!<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Let&#8217;s check If you can become a Surrogate.\u00a0 First, do you fit the requirements? Surrogacy is not for everyone. There are legal and medical requirements,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":312,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[13,19,31,46,49,51],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}