How to Find a Surrogate Mother

Are you looking for a surrogate? Here’s how to find a surrogate mother in three steps.

Successfully navigating surrogacy involves various steps, and the most important is finding a surrogate mother who aligns with your goals. This person will be your partner throughout the surrogacy journey, significantly impacting both your lives.

However, finding a gestational carrier on your own can be challenging and risky. At American Surrogacy, we offer guidance on finding a surrogate who aligns with your surrogacy plan, while allowing you to choose the surrogate that’s right for you.

Our team is always available to dive deeper into the process and discuss how to find a surrogate mother based on your specific surrogacy goals. We understand how important it is to find a compatible gestational carrier and are committed to supporting you at every step, ensuring a stress-free experience for intended parents.

To begin the process of finding a surrogate mother, please call us at 1-800-875-2229 (BABY). You can also reach out to us online to connect with a specialist who can walk you through how to find a surrogate.

In the meantime, here are three steps that you’ll need to take to find a surrogate.

Step 1: Partner with a Reputable Surrogacy Agency

Working with the right surrogacy agency, like American Surrogacy, can help you find a surrogate who’s been thoroughly screened. With over 20 years of matching experience through our sister agency, American Adoptions, we know what it takes to consistently bring in high-quality surrogates to our agency.

Our outreach means that even if you can’t find a surrogate from our “available surrogates” page, we can help you find the perfect surrogate through our extensive database. We also network with various attorneys, fertility clinics and social workers across the country to give you the highest chance at finding a surrogate that fits your needs.

Step 2: Get to Know Your Surrogate Through a Conference Call

Once you find a surrogate that’s the perfect fit, your surrogacy specialist will set up a conference call. This is your chance to solidify your match by asking the surrogate any questions you may have. This can help you decide if you’re comfortable working with her for the next year or so.

You’ll be able to decide how frequently you want to communicate with the surrogate and we will always be there to help you mediate communication if you need. Your specialist will also help you prepare for this conversation by giving you additional information about the surrogate’s preferences and by suggesting additional topics of conversation.

Step 3: Confirm the Match with a Surrogacy Contract 

The final step in how to find a surrogate is drafting a surrogacy contract that outlines all agreements and responsibilities of everyone involved. This contract not only lays out expectations but also addresses any risks and liabilities in case an unexpected event occurs.

You and your surrogate will both need lawyers and your surrogacy specialist will help coordinate this legal process. Once the surrogacy contract is signed, your search to find a surrogate will be complete and you’ll be ready to move forward with the rest of the surrogacy process.

We take great pride in helping both intended parents and surrogates find highly qualified surrogate partners. To learn more about how to find a surrogate with American Surrogacy, contact us at any time. We’re always ready to help make your dreams of becoming parents a reality.

What are the Benefits of Surrogacy for Parents?

Surrogacy is a family-building option that will empower you in ways other paths may not be able to on your journey to parenthood.

As one of the leading surrogacy agencies in the U.S., we know what it takes to fulfill your dreams of becoming parents. The benefits of surrogacy plus the unconditional support we offer can pave the way on your journey to parenthood. We know the road hasn’t been easy and with our help you’ll be on the right track toward holding your baby for the first time.

We’ve helped thousands of parents start a family and we’re ready to do the same for you.

If you have any questions about the surrogacy process, check out this article.

What Are the Benefits of Surrogacy?

Becoming a parent through surrogacy has never been easier. At American Surrogacy, you don’t have to wait any longer to become parents. One of the main advantages of choosing surrogacy as a path to parenthood is that the wait times are significantly lower. We offer an exclusive program designed to only work with quality surrogates who are American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) qualified.

This can significantly lower your wait time because all our surrogates have been screened to ensure they’re ready for the process. One of the benefits of surrogacy with our agency is that we carefully balance our list of surrogates and intended parents so you aren’t competing with other families for a match.

Why Become a Parent Through Surrogacy? [4 Reasons]

1. An Opportunity to Grow Your Family

Surrogacy is an amazing family-building option, offering hope to parents whose journey to parenthood has been marked by hurdles and setbacks. When other methods such as natural conception or adoption have proven elusive, surrogacy can help you realize your dreams of expanding your family. This method is particularly invaluable for individuals struggling with infertility, same-sex couples or those facing medical conditions that make pregnancy impossible.

With the support of modern medical advancements and legal frameworks, surrogacy has the power to transform heartbreak into joy, uniting parents and surrogates to bring new life into the world.

2. More Control Over Your Family-Building Journey

Surrogacy stands out as a more controlled process for parents when compared to other family-building methods. Unlike adoption, where the process can be unpredictable and may involve complex legal and emotional factors, surrogacy offers a greater level of predictability. In surrogacy, parents can actively participate in the selection of their surrogate, ensuring compatibility and trust, which is often not possible in adoption.

The medical aspects of surrogacy are more manageable, allowing parents to closely monitor the prenatal environment and have a more direct influence on the pregnancy experience. This control is particularly essential for individuals or couples with specific medical concerns or those seeking a specific genetic makeup for their child. Surrogacy provides a structured, customizable, and well-regulated path to parenthood, offering a sense of assurance and empowerment throughout the family-building journey.

3. The Quickest Path to Parenthood

We know how much you’ve wanted to start or grow your family. One of the benefits of surrogacy with our agency is that we bring that wait to an end by helping you find the best surrogate for your family in the shortest amount of time. With our one of a kind 1:1 intended parent to surrogacy ratio, we can help you find a surrogate in an average of 30-90 days.

Because we balance this list so effectively, we’re able to help you become a parent through surrogacy as quickly and efficiently as possible.

3. Partner with High-Quality Surrogates

Opting for surrogacy affords parents the opportunity to collaborate with high-quality surrogates, ensuring a level of professionalism, commitment and medical suitability that may be challenging to find in other family-building methods. Surrogates who choose to embark on this extraordinary journey are meticulously screened, both physically and psychologically, to guarantee their ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment for your child.

They are often well-informed and dedicated individuals who genuinely want to help prospective parents achieve their dreams of having a family. This selection process ensures that you can trust in the surrogate’s reliability, health and emotional stability. This level of quality and preparedness, combined with the legal and medical support provided, makes surrogacy a prime choice for parents seeking a secure and positive path to parenthood.

4. Experienced Staff Ready to Support You

Our staff has years of experience helping those who want to become a parent through surrogacy. As you work with us on your path to parenthood, you can be comfortable and confident knowing that our staff has more than 40 years of experience building families through surrogacy and adoption.

Through our financial protection and unlimited matching, we work hard to make sure you experience a safe, secure process.

You shouldn’t have to wait any longer for your child. The benefits of surrogacy with our program are designed to specifically help you become parents as quickly and efficiently as possible. With our thorough surrogate screening process, you’ll be able to connect with a highly qualified surrogate you feel confident moving forward with.

To begin looking at potential surrogates, check out some of the available surrogate situations here. If you would like to connect with a surrogacy consultant, contact us online now.

5 Fulfilling Benefits of Being a Surrogate

Becoming a surrogate not only changes the lives of others but also your own. Learn more about why you should become a surrogate.

Why Become a Surrogate Mother? There is no greater gift than being able to change someone else’s life.

You’ll gain a newfound sense of purpose knowing you were able to give the gift of parenthood. The beauty behind surrogacy is not only do you get to change someone else’s life, but you also get to change your family’s life.

With our competitive surrogate pay and unconditional support, becoming a surrogate with American Surrogacy has never been easier.

To learn more about the process of becoming a surrogate with American Surrogacy, check out this article.

In the meantime, here are five fulfilling benefits of being a surrogate with our agency.

1. Change Someone’s Life By Helping Them Become Parents

When you make the life-changing decision to become a surrogate, fulfilling someone’s dreams of becoming parents is a motivating benefit of being a surrogate. Because of you, they’ll be able to experience the love and joy that comes with raising a child.

You know firsthand how beautiful parenthood can be. Knowing that you have the power to turn a couple into a family makes the benefit of being a surrogate mother that much better.

“Seeing Nicholas see his child for the first time was amazing. A weight was almost lifted off of my shoulders, in a sense that he was healthy and that I was able to give Nicholas everything he had ever wanted.” – Nichole (Surrogate), Read more of her story here.

2. Experience Complete Financial Freedom

As you carry a child for intended parents, you’ll have the chance to receive competitive compensation for your services. This compensation honors the physical, emotional and time commitments you devote to the surrogacy process. This is by far one of the greatest benefits of being a surrogate because it means your family will be taken care of.

You’re making a sacrifice and we make sure you receive the highest amount of compensation to help pay for things like:

  • Bills or debts
  • College fund
  • Family vacations
  • Down payment for a house or car
  • And more

Receiving surrogate compensation can be a good thing and you should never feel guilty. This financial opportunity is a great way to improve your and your family’s life. 

3. Become a Role Model

Why be a surrogate mother? Because you can become a role model by showing that you made a sacrifice to help others. By choosing to help others create a family, you demonstrate a profound sense of generosity, inspiring those around you to consider the needs of others above their own.

Your willingness to embark on this journey can serve as a powerful example of the importance of empathy, fostering a sense of unity and kindness within your community and beyond.

4. Build a Lifelong Bond

A benefit of being a surrogate is you have the chance to develop a close and meaningful relationship with the family. This relationship is unique and can last a lifetime. Throughout the surrogacy process, you’ll have a chance to connect with the parents to talk about your goals and expectations. This openness creates an environment of trust, helping to foster a strong bond that will last throughout your surrogacy experience.

5. Complete Control in the Process

Another benefit of being a surrogate with American Surrogacy is that we put you in control of the entire process. Most agencies can’t offer the control you deserve. Our surrogacy program is built to address everything that’s important to you throughout your journey. We want to ensure you feel empowered to:

  • Confidently find the right family
  • Decide how quickly you want the process to go
  • Experience a smooth, streamlined process

But, why be a surrogate? By working with a surrogacy agency like ours, you can receive the compensation and guidance you need, knowing that you have a dedicated team supporting you every step of the way.

To experience complete financial freedom, contact us today or call 1-800-875-2229 to begin your surrogacy journey.

What is the Surrogacy Success Rate?

Becoming a parent through surrogacy is one of the most beautiful journeys you’ll ever take. Learn everything you need to know about the surrogacy success rate with our guide.

When you’re looking to begin your journey of parenthood through surrogacy, one of the most common topics that come up is about surrogacy success rates. Here, we’ll explore the factors that influence surrogacy success rates to help you prepare for the journey ahead.

As you begin this beautiful journey, know that we at American Surrogacy will be there to help you confidently navigate the transfer process.

If you have any questions about the medical process of surrogacy, contact us online now to speak with our surrogacy specialists.

What Are the Gestational Surrogacy Success Rates?

The IVF surrogacy success rates will always depend on the fertility clinic that completes the embryo transfer. This includes any pre-implantation genetic screening that the clinic needs to complete. In general, a little more than half of all IVF transfers will result in pregnancy, with 35-40 percent of transfers failing to implant.

If you experience a failed transfer, know that its normal and we will be there to help you during this time. A failed transfer is normal and we will always be there for this emotional process.

What Affects the Surrogacy Embryo Transfer Success Rates?

There are various factors that influence surrogacy success rates. If you’re looking into surrogacy as a family building option, here are some things that affect the success rate of surrogacy:

  • Age of egg: One of the most important influences determining how successful a pregnancy is. Most surrogacy pregnancies include egg donors that tend to be young, typically in their 20s, while a surrogate can be somewhere into her early 40s. Once a woman turns 40, the quality of her eggs have become less viable but she can still carry a successful pregnancy.
  • The quality of sperm: This plays a big part in the surrogacy success rates as well. To increase the chances of a success, sperm should be used or donated from a healthy nonsmoker.
  • Pre-screening surrogates: While the surrogate’s age isn’t as important as the egg donor’s age, you still want to make sure that surrogates meet a clinic’s medical criteria. A thorough agency, like American Surrogacy, will pre-screen all potential candidates to ensure they meet the IVF clinic guidelines and requirements before the medical screening.
  • The surrogacy agency: You can always improve your chances of having higher surrogacy success rates by working with the right agency. Although fertility clinics mostly influence surrogacy success rates, we will do everything we can to set you up for success from our end. With our 1:1 intended parent to surrogate ratio, we can help you find a surrogate who’s the perfect fit for you and your family in an average of 30-90 days.

How to Maximize IVF Surrogacy Success Rates

One of the ways you can increase your chances of a successful pregnancy is by making sure you’re using donor eggs and a surrogate with a healthy uterus. You’ll need to have the young eggs transferred to a surrogate who has had healthy pregnancies beforehand.

The chances can be even higher if you’ve had the surrogate undergo pre-genetic testing. In this case, implantation rates and successful pregnancy chances will be high, while failed transfers and rates will be low. 

Benefits of Choosing American Surrogacy

As one of the leading surrogacy agencies in the country, we offer many benefits that can help put you on the right path toward a high surrogacy success rate. Because of how we manage our intended parent list, we’re able to put you on the quickest route toward fulfilling your dreams of becoming parents.

Another unmatched benefit we provide is offering a fixed fee structure to help you have confidence in your budget. We provide a flat fee to help you understand just how much you’ll be paying for your surrogacy journey from start to finish. While we can’t influence your surrogacy success rates, we can have an impact on your success by providing unmatched support and short wait times.

Begin Your Surrogacy Journey Today

To learn more about how successful your surrogacy journey can be with American Surrogacy, contact us online now to speak with a surrogacy specialist. We’re always here to guide you on this life-changing journey. 

What to Know About Surrogate Pay in 2023

Learn more about surrogate pay in 2023 and how we provide fair compensation for all our surrogates.

Surrogacy is a life-changing journey and one of the main concerns is how surrogate pay works. Being a surrogate involves a significant commitment of time and effort and it’s crucial that you’re rewarded fairly. At American Surrogacy, we take this responsibility seriously and are dedicated to ensuring that all our surrogates receive the surrogate compensation they deserve.

In this guide, we’ll dive into what the average surrogate pay is and how we provide fair surrogate compensation for our surrogates.

If you have any questions about becoming a surrogate with American Surrogacy, then contact us online now to receive personalized support from a surrogate specialist.

How Much Does Being a Surrogate Pay?

The amount of surrogate mother compensation you can receive will depend on a few factors. If you’re a first-time surrogate, you can earn anywhere from $50,000 to $90,000. If you’re a second-time surrogate, you can earn $60,000 to $110,000. Factors such as your  cost of living and current income can determine how much surrogate pay you qualify for.

For example, if you’re a first time surrogate living in a mid-sized city in the Midwest and work part-time, you’ll earn $65,000 in total compensation for surrogate mothers. On the other hand, if you live in a city that has a higher cost of living and you’re a first time surrogate, you may earn up to $80,000 in surrogate pay.

You can determine your potential surrogate pay with our surrogate compensation calculator that factors in your experience and state of residence.

What Does Surrogate Pay Cover?

Our surrogate mother compensation package will increase your personal income and will cover your medical, legal and travel expenses. These expenses include:

  • Fertility medications
  • Embryo transfers
  • Travel expenses
  • Maternity clothes
  • Lost wages
  • Counseling
  • And more

Do You Receive Surrogate Pay Monthly?

Yes, you’ll receive surrogate mother pay monthly after you’ve completed and signed your surrogacy agreement. Throughout your surrogacy journey, you’ll receive monthly allowance to cover expenses, as well as fertility medications and the embryo transfer.

After your pregnancy is confirmed, you’ll receive your base compensation in monthly increments.

What is the Highest Surrogate Mother Compensation?

The most surrogate pay that has been offered is over $100,000. These are usually second-time surrogate carriers who can earn anywhere from $60,000-$100,000 because of past experience. Your cost of living and current income will also contribute to this amount.

American Surrogacy’s Promise on Fair Surrogate Mother Compensation

When you become a surrogate, we understand how much of a commitment it can be. That’s why we pride ourselves on providing the highest competitive surrogate pay in the industry. Our promise is to ensure you have the best experience possible and this means high surrogate compensation, a perfected match making system and constant support throughout every step.

When you speak with your surrogate specialist, you will get an upfront breakdown of how much surrogate pay you qualify for. Some agencies will claim that they pay the most in order to get the attention of prospective surrogates. Unlike these agencies, we make sure you receive enough surrogate compensation to reward you for the precious gift you’re providing.

Start Receiving Surrogate Mother Pay

Becoming a surrogate isn’t an easy journey and that’s why we go above and beyond to ensure you’re paid fairly. When you choose to embark on this journey, you’re choosing to give the gift of parenthood. And that’s why we’ll make sure you receive the surrogate compensation you deserve.

To begin receiving surrogate pay, contact us online now to get connected with a surrogate specialist. We’re here to help you get the surrogate compensation you need.

Can I Be a Surrogate Without Having a Child?

Learn more about the importance of already having a child of your own before you can become a surrogate with American Surrogacy.

Surrogacy agencies have many requirements for surrogates to go through the surrogacy process. These are put into place to avoid risk and keep everyone’s best interests at heart.

To get more information about why needing to already have a child, you can fill out our online form to get in touch with a surrogacy specialist.

For anyone asking “can I be a surrogate without having a child,” they may not be a likely candidate.

The truth is most agencies will not work with a surrogate who has never been pregnant before and is not raising their own child. There are many risks and reasons why you cannot become a surrogate without having a child yourself.

Physical Challenges

Pregnancy has a plethora of physical challenges from morning sickness to fatigue. And you don’t know how you will react to any part of pregnancy until you go through it. On top of the typical physical side effects of pregnancy, you can also encounter some more serious complications. These may include preeclampsia, placental complications, congenital disorders and more.

Many of these issues you won’t be able to know the likeliness of until you go through pregnancy. Even if you are a healthy individual, you could still face physical challenges during pregnancy. To be a surrogate without having child could put you and the child in unnecessary risk.

Emotional Challenges

The emotional challenges of becoming a surrogate without having a child are just as harmful as the physical challenges. There are many emotions that you go through during pregnancy and post-partum, some of which you won’t understand until you go through them.

If you were to go through the surrogacy process as a first pregnancy or without having a child of your own, you may be more likely to have complicated emotions that could result in anxiety or depression. Without going through pregnancy previously, you also won’t know how post-partum depression and anxiety may affect you.

Risk for Intended Parents

If you are inexperienced with pregnancy, it won’t just affect you. It will also affect the intended parents. The intended parents who have chosen to go through surrogacy have often gone through every other route to become parents, not to mention spent thousands of dollars already.

Having a child through surrogacy is sometimes their last resort, especially if they have a limited amount of embryos. Surrogacy is too important to gamble their chances of becoming parents on a surrogate who hasn’t been pregnant before.

Don’t Give Up on Surrogacy

Just because you cannot become a surrogate without having a child right now does not mean you won’t be able to in the future. You could still become a surrogate once you’ve gone through pregnancy and have your own child. You can also go through alternative routes to help others pursue their family goals such as egg donation.

Doing more research on the surrogacy process can also help you better understand what is expected of our surrogates and how intended parents feel going through the process as well.

If you are interested in learning more about the surrogacy process, you can contact our team of surrogacy specialists at 1-800-875-2229 (BABY).

What You Should Know About Surrogacy Agency Reviews

Surrogacy agency reviews can tell you a lot about an agency. We can tell you what you need to know about finding quality reviews to help make your decision.

Today we rely on reviews for everything. We look at reviews of movies before we go see them, we check out reviews of restaurants to decide where to eat, and we even look up reviews of shampoo before we buy it. So why wouldn’t you look up the surrogacy agency ratings before you commit to one?

If you want more information about what to look for in surrogacy agency reviews, fill out our online form.

Navigating surrogacy agency reviews on the other hand can sometimes be tricky. There’s so much more relying on choosing the correct agency to begin your surrogacy process. This can help determine what you experience. So we’ve put together a guide to help you navigate the reviews.

Reviews vs Testimonials

Clients who had a positive experience are sometimes asked by the agency to offer a testimonial that can be used on the company’s website. These will likely go into more detail and even include a video so you can feel connected to the real people who have been in your shoes. Testimonials are a good way to understand the surrogacy process and learn how the agency works with intended parents and surrogates.

Reviews of surrogacy agencies on the other hand are less of a production and may or may not be included on the website. But just like any business, positive reviews are always requested from clients. You can find reviews through Google and other ranking websites. However, it’s important to make sure you are using a reputable third party resource that is not dictated by sponsorships.

Negative Reviews

Negative reviews are more common than positive reviews. Statistically, people are more likely to leave a review if they had a negative experience. While positive reviews are important, negative surrogacy reviews can be just as important to read through. When you read negative reviews and notice patterns of the same situation happening to people over and over again, that might be a sign not to work with that agency.

Fake Reviews

Unfortunately fake reviews can muddle the information as you look through reviews. A fake review will usually have very generic language and information. They will use terms like “good” and “bad.” A fake review might also include incorrect grammar and spelling or the flow of sentences won’t quite make sense. Usually fake surrogacy reviews will be reported and hopefully removed, but they can still slip through the cracks so it’s important to be aware of them.

Find the Right Fit for You

Not every surrogacy agency is the same. Whether it’s the services, people or location, not every agency will be the right fit for everyone. You do not have to go with the first surrogacy agency you find through your research of surrogacy reviews. Take the time to ask questions and interview the people you would be working with. There may be pros and cons to each agency and you will have to weigh which one will ultimately be the best fit for you. Surrogacy is a big commitment and you should feel confident in your decision.

Do Your Research

Ultimately, the best thing you can do for yourself is to do your research before making the commitment to a surrogacy agency. Understanding the surrogacy process and what is expected from you can help you to better understand what is important to you when choosing a surrogacy agency. Once you understand the surrogacy process you will be able to better navigate the negative surrogacy agency reviews to determine if the review is about the process or the agency.

If you’re ready to begin your surrogacy process, contact us today.

Being a Surrogate for a Family Member [What to Know]

Being a surrogate for a family member is possible through American Surrogacy’s identified surrogacy program. Learn more about how to become a surrogate for a family member.

If you’re wondering if you can be a surrogate for a family member, the short answer is yes. Offering to become a surrogate for a family member is a beautiful way to help someone you love start a family. Surrogacy comes with its own challenges for anyone trying to start a family.

To get more information about being a surrogate for a family member, reach out to a surrogacy specialist today.

You will need to meet the requirements to become a surrogate for a family member, but it’s important to understand what can happen after you qualify.

Questions to ask yourself:

  • Is our relationship strong enough for this?
  • Will this make the surrogacy process more complicated due to family dynamics?
  • Do I want to do this, or do I feel pressured to do this?
  • What will our relationship be like after the baby is born?
  • Is surrogacy right for me?

Can You Be a Surrogate for a Family Member?

Yes! If you already know your intended parents, this is called identified surrogacy. Here are some things to consider before being a surrogate for a family member:

Changes in Relationship

It’s important to realize being a surrogate for a family member can change your relationship with that person. No matter how close you are to the intended parents, this could change the dynamic of your relationship. Because you have a different relationship from many intended parents and surrogates, you may feel like more or less inclined to advocate for yourself.

While family dynamics can change, you should be aware of where you started and where you want to grow as a family. But also remember, this could create a new level for your relationship that is positive. It has the potential to bring you closer to that family member and have a special bond with their child.

Set Boundaries

To try to prevent negative changes in your relationship, it can be helpful to set boundaries with each other. If you decide that being a surrogate for a family member is something you’d like to do, you should talk with the family member before moving forward with any medical procedures to decide how you’d like to relay information, when to talk about the baby, who can share information about the baby and more.

This is when working with a surrogacy agency can be beneficial. They will work through any mediation needed between intended parents and surrogates to make sure things go smoothly for a better surrogacy experience.

Altruistic Surrogacy

Altruistic surrogates do not require compensation. This means that you would not be paid for your service as a surrogate if you chose to go this route as a surrogate for a family member. Not all situations where intended parents know the surrogate result in altruistic surrogacy. However, some intended parents may choose this path due to the likelihood of finding an altruistic surrogate.

How to Become a Surrogate for a Family Member

If you’re interested in being a surrogate for a family member, American Surrogacy can help make this happen through our identified surrogacy program. As a surrogate, the identified surrogacy process will only differ in the matching step of your journey.  Since you already have plans to be a surrogate for a family member, you don’t have to go through the matching process. Here’s what you can expect from our identified surrogacy process:

  1. Reaching Out to American Surrogacy: If you decide American Surrogacy is right for you, you can reach out to our specialist at any time to begin your surrogacy process.
  2. Legal Process: Since you already have your surrogacy partner in mind, you can move to the legal process of drafting a surrogacy contract. If you don’t have a surrogacy attorney, we can connect you with a surrogacy attorney from our network of professionals.
  3. Medical Process: You’ll follow a fertility medication protocol to prepare your body for embryo transfer. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is used to create embryos using the intended parents’ genetic material. After successful embryo creation, one or more embryos are transferred to your uterus. Subsequent pregnancy tests will confirm whether the transfer was successful.
  4. Birth and Beyond: Throughout the pregnancy, you’ll receive medical care and support from your healthcare team and the surrogacy agency. Regular check-ups ensure the health and well-being of both you and the baby. Following a healthy pregnancy, you’ll bring new life into the world for your family member. The birthing process will be coordinated with the intended parents’ involvement and preferences.

It’s Your Choice

If family members are pressuring you to be a gestational or altruistic surrogate for a family member, then this might not be a great fit. Decide for yourself if surrogacy is right for you. Learn more about what being a surrogate means and if you feel ready to become a surrogate for a family member. Get started by reaching out to a surrogacy specialist today.

Why Are There BMI Surrogacy Requirements?

The BMI surrogacy requirement can be a factor in your eligibility to become a surrogate. Discover what this means for you surrogacy journey, and why BMI requirements for surrogacy exist.

There are a lot of physical requirements to even begin applying to become a surrogate. Many times when you’re given a list of requirements you may wonder how serious or lenient different agencies may be on different standards. One that comes up often is the BMI requirements for surrogacy.

To get more information about BMI surrogacy requirements with our agency, fill out our online form or call 1-800-875-BABY.

Why BMI is Important

While many people in the health industry have been discussing the relevance of BMI in other areas of the medical field, BMI is still important to surrogate eligibility. We want to make sure that intended parents and surrogates have the best chance possible to have a child. When intended parents are choosing to use their own eggs, we have little room for error to help them achieve their dreams. We have BMI surrogacy requirements due to the risks listed below.

  • Higher BMI has been associated with preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, pregnancy hypertension and other complications.
  • Complications with the baby after birth have been linked to birth mothers with a higher BMI.
  • Too high and too low BMI can make it more difficult to get pregnant.
  • Too high and too low BMI can increase the risk of pre-term delivery.

Required BMI Levels

We currently work with women whose have a BMI range of 19-32. This is based on the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s recommendations and what health professionals have determined is a healthy BMI range for adults. This range is set to exclude women who may be medically underweight or obese, which could cause dangerous situations when carrying a child.

Working with the BMI Requirement

If you are slightly over the required weight or BMI, you should speak with a surrogacy specialist. A reproductive endocrinologist can complete blood and urine test to determine whether you can successfully carry a child to term. If you want to become a surrogate, you can also work with your doctor or a registered dietician to help meet the surrogacy BMI requirements.

It’s important to keep in mind that our BMI requirement for surrogacy is just one of many. Our other surrogacy requirements include:

  • No smoking or illicit drug use
  • No tattoos or piercings in last six months
  • No major complications from previous pregnancies
  • At least six months since last vaginal or cesarean birth
  • And more.

When it comes to your health, the best thing you can do is to seek out health and nutrition advice from you physician. If you lay out your goals, including that you want to meet BMI surrogacy requirements, your doctor should be able to help you create a plan and recommend other health specialists who can assist you as well.

The best way to know if you are eligible to become a surrogate is by contacting a surrogacy specialist. If you have questions about the process, the BMI requirements, or anything else, contact us at 1-800-875-2229 (BABY).  And if you think you meet the requirements and want to proceed, contact us by filling out our quick prospective surrogate form.

The Pros and Cons of Single Parent Surrogacy

Your timeline for parenthood doesn’t need to like anyone else’s. For many, choosing single parent surrogacy is a wonderful option to achieve these goals.

Your timeline for parenthood doesn’t need to be like anyone else’s. Deciding to have a child is such a personal revelation, and you can achieve those goals on your own if you choose. For many, choosing single-parent surrogacy is a wonderful option that can help them achieve these goals.

If you’re a hopeful single-parent who has questions about single parent surrogacy, fill out our online form today to get the support you need.

Many single people have chosen to go with surrogacy in recent years to become a parent. You no longer need to wait on societal standards. It’s within your ability to become a parent at a time in your life when you feel ready. When you choose surrogacy, it’s important to have a general idea of what to expect from the process ahead. Our pro and con list covers many points single-parent surrogacy may cover.

Pros

  • You don’t need to be in a relationship or have found “the one” to start your journey to parenthood.
  • You have the same standards of pursuing single-parent surrogacy as a married couple would.
  • Surrogacy can sometimes be easier to achieve than adoption as many birth moms choose two-parent homes.

Cons

  • Surrogacy is expensive, and you will need to afford the surrogacy costs on one salary.
  • Being a single parent comes with its own difficulties including finances and resources.
  • Single parents may unfortunately still face stigmas throughout the surrogacy process and through parenthood.

Single Surrogacy Vs. Adoption

Many single people who are looking to become parents may look into both adoption and surrogacy. Each has its own unique journey. Choosing between the two often comes down to preferences and finances. The most common reasons to choose one or the other include:

  • Genetics: When you choose single-parent surrogacy, they usually choose to use their own sperm or egg to use in the embryo. This allows them to be genetically related to their child. Through adoption, parents of course won’t generally have a genetic connection.
  • Legal Process: In both adoption and surrogacy you will go through a legal process. This is the route to becoming the legal guardian of your child. Through surrogacy, you will often become the legal guardian of your child before they are even born. With adoption, you cannot become a parent until the legal rights of the birth parents are terminated. This can sometimes be an emotional process.
  • Cost: There are a variety of expenses used in both domestic infant adoption and surrogacy. These may include agency fees, advertising and matching services. Surrogacy costs will also include the surrogate’s compensation throughout their pregnancy, which often makes single-parent surrogacy much more expensive.
  • Wait: The waiting game can be tough for adoptive parents who may wait months or years to find a pregnant woman who wants to work with them. However, the matching process for and intended parent and surrogate range from an average of 30-90 days with American Surrogacy. This allows you to have your baby in your arms sooner.
  • Control: There is often more control through single-parent surrogacy. You get to choose the surrogate and the donor you use. With adoption, the birth mother has the choice of the adoptive family.

No matter how you choose to become a parent, it’s important to feel not only supported but well prepared. There are financial, medical and emotional challenges to the process no matter their relationship status or sexual orientation.

Are you interested in starting the surrogacy process? Connect with our team today.