Becoming a Surrogate Mother
The first decision you must make when deciding to become a surrogate mothers is whether you wish to become a Traditional or a Gestational Surrogate.
A Traditional Surrogate carries a child that is conceived of her own egg, therefore, the child is biologically hers. Pregnancy is achieved through either Artificial Insemination at a medical clinic or home insemination, depending on the state you live in and the laws that apply.
A Gestational Surrogate carries a baby that is not biologically hers. The baby will be conceived in a lab using the sperm from the intended father (or a sperm donor) and the egg from the intended mother (or an egg donor). The resulting embryo will then be placed in the uterus of the surrogate where it will grow for nine months until birth. The process of implanting the embryo into the surrogates uterus is called "In Vitro Fertilization". You will be required to give yourself daily injections during this process.
We highly recommend you ask many questions and thoroughly explore whether surrogate motherhood is right for you. You will be required to take daily injections, have medical testing performed in addition to psychological testing, your family will need to help with things so you are able to get adequate rest, there is a chance, with Gestational Surrogacy, that you could end up pregnant with twins (or more, depending on how many embryos are implanted and what you and your couple agree to). A multiple pregnancy could mean possible bed rest at some point, so a good support system is important. Consider the type of couple you are willing to help (Baby Steps works with married couples, singles and gay couples as well). Travel may be required of you (traveling to the couples clinic for the IVF procedure if your couple lives in another state). You will never pay any expenses related to travel.
Most couples prefer to have the freedom to make decisions regarding selective reduction (if triplets occur they may wish to reduce to twins) or termination (ending the pregnancy if the child is found to have a birth defect). Most couples are not sure whether or not they would terminate the pregnancy in the case of a birth defect, but they will want the right to have the final decision. Please be sure you are fine with this as it will be in your contract with the couple.
Think all of these things over and be sure your schedule and family life will enable you the flexibility and support you will need.
FAQ's
Can you be a surrogate mother if your tubes tied?
YES. A woman who has her tubes tied can still become a Gestational Surrogate mother. You could not, however, be a traditional surrogate.
What are the age requirements to be a Surrogate Mother?
You must be between the ages of 21 and 42 to be a Gestational Surrogate and 21 to 34 to be a Traditional Surrogate.
Can I still be a surrogate if I have had a miscarriage?
YES, depending on the number of miscarriages you have had.
Can I be a surrogate mother if I've never given birth?
NO. Pregnancy and child birth are full of emotional and physical complexities and it's impossible to know for certain if you are emotionally/physically capable of being a surrogate mother unless you have been through a pregnancy/child birth previously. All clinics have this requirement and we must abide by the clinical requirements.
Do I have to be financially stable?
YES. While surrogates are compensated for their pain/suffering, and our surrogate mothers have plans for the compensation they will earn, money should never be the main reason you decide to become a surrogate mother.
Do I have to have health insurance? While most couples prefer a surrogate who already has health insurance, it is still possible to become a surrogate without health insurance as the couple can possibly pay for a private policy.
What is the weight requirement to become a surrogate mother?
You have to be physically healthy and height/weight proportionate. Your BMI (Body Mass Index) must not exceed 30 (some clinics will accept a BMI below 32)
How much do Surrogate Mothers receive for compensation?
First time surrogate mothers with our program typically receive $20,000 base compensation, plus a monthly allowance of $200, $500 for maternity clothes and all medical bills relating to the pregnancy are paid for by the couple. Experienced surrogates in our program typically receive $24,000 to $30,000 (depending on how many surrogacies they have done previously).
The process:
*Fill out the surrogate application and provide medical records from your OB. (You can submit the application for approval first and then provide OB records)
* We will follow up and begin screening process (additional questions, medical review, home visit (if you live local), etc)
*Your profile will be presented to a couple in need.
*Once a couple expresses an interest, you and the couple will have a phone call.
*If both sides are interested, our agency will arrange for you and the couple to meet in person.
*Once you and the couple choose to work together, you and the couple will enter into legal contracts.
*You will have formal psychological testing and medical testing as well.
*You will be put on the birth control pill to sync your cycle with the intended mother or egg donor.
*You will begin taking your daily injections. You must be able to give yourself these injections to ensure you take them at the same time each day and you must never miss a dose. The clinic will instruct you on how to do your injections.
*You will undergo the IVF procedure (the embryos will be placed into your uterus). Most clinics will transfer three embryos to increase the chances of success. The chance of all three "sticking" is low...approx 3%. The chance of twins is approximately 25%. If all three embryos "stick", the intended parents might elect to have you undergo selective reduction (where one embryos is removed). If you conceive twins, there will be no selective reduction...you will be expected to carry twins.
*You will continue your daily injections for approximately 8 weeks after the IVF procedure (unless the procedure fails. If you do not become pregnant your doctor will instruct you when to stop your injections)
*You MUST refrain from sexual intercourse in the weeks leading to the IVF as well as the few weeks after to prevent accidental pregnancy with your husband or boyfriend. If you accidentally become pregnant by your boyfriend or spouse this will be discovered when paternity tests are done and you could be sued, so its important to avoid sexual intercourse during the times your doctor instructs you.
*Once you are successfully pregnant, you will begin receiving your surrogate payments. Your surrogate fee will be paid in nine equal monthly installments over the course of the pregnancy.
*At approximately six months into the pregnancy, the intended parents and their attorney will obtain a pre birth order through the courts that allows the parents names to go directly on the birth certificate. You will be expected to do all things necessary to assist the couple and their attorney in this process.
*Once the child is born, the intended parents will make all medical decisions regarding the child. This will be a glorious day...watching the parents hold their child for the first time and knowing YOU made this all possible for them. There is no better feeling in the world!
Please let us know if surrogacy sounds right for you and your family. If you would like to fill out the full length/formal surrogate application we would be happy to email that to you :)
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