Welcome to the first steps of deciding if surrogacy is right for you. We want surrogacy to be a positive experience for everyone. That’s why all of our surrogates must meet certain qualifications to become a surrogate in Iowa. This allows you to better prepare and have a quality experience.
You can get started on your surrogacy journey today by filling out our online form.
We work with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) to create a set of qualifications for all of our surrogates. Our qualifications to become a surrogate in Idaho include physical, emotional and medical requirements. We are laying out these requirements to help you determine if surrogacy is right for you and help you get started.
What are the Requirements for Surrogacy in Iowa?
There are a standard set of requirements all prospective surrogates should meet to begin their application. Those requirements include:
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Age range of 21-40
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At least one successful pregnancy, but no more than five vaginal births and three cesarean births
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Currently raising a child
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No major complications from previous pregnancies
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No felony convictions
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Healthy BMI
Some exceptions may be considered, but you will need to contact a surrogacy specialist for more information.
Screening Process for Surrogates in Iowa
Step 1: Initial application
The first step of your screening process is filling out our initial application. This will ensure you meet the standard requirements for surrogacy in Iowa mentioned above. It will also ask you for a variety of other information to help us get to know you. A surrogacy specialist will review your application and be in touch with you within 24 hours. Apply to be a surrogate in Iowa today by clicking here.
Step 2: Surrogate Social and Medical History Form
Once your application has been approved, you will fill out social and medical history forms to proceed with the Iowa surrogacy requirements. These self-disclosed from will cover a variety of questions. They will also ask about you and your family’s medical backgrounds to ensure you’re medically viable as a surrogate. Again, your surrogacy specialist will be there to help you through each part of this. During this step, we will also begin gathering important documents such as:
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Your insurance card and policy manual in a PDF
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A copy of your driver’s license
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A signed medical release for us to access your medical records from past pregnancies and deliveries
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A letter from your OB/GYN recommending you as a surrogate.
Step 3: In-Home Assessment
We just want to verify that your home environment is a safe stable place to ensure the health of you and the baby as you go through the surrogacy journey. A licensed social worker will do the visit to fulfill this Iowa surrogacy requirement. They will sit down individually with you and each adult living with you. During this part, they will ask each of you questions regarding surrogacy, including:
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Your motivations for considering surrogacy
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Fears or concerns over surrogacy
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Spouse or partner’s commitment to surrogacy
When you go through this step it’s important to understand that we care about you and the health of the baby you will be carrying. We want to give you plenty of support to find this process successful, not just in bringing life into the world, but in having a positive pregnancy and post-partum experience.
Step 4: Medical Evaluation
By this point, you will be matched with intended parents. During this final step, you will visit the intended parents’ fertility clinic to perform a medical evaluation to confirm that you are physically ready for embryo transfer and pregnancy. We are required to screen all of our prospective surrogates based on the standards and recommendations of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, which include:
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Review of personal and sexual history
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Physical exam to include Saline Infusion Sonohysterogrphy
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Lab testing – blood and urine test
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Letter from a physician stating you passed the screening and are capable of carrying a baby to term
Once this step is complete you will be able to move forward with the medical process and complete the embryo transfer.
We are confident in how we prepare you for surrogacy, and we genuinely want to help you with the qualifications for surrogacy in Iowa. If you are ready to begin the screening process, contact us to get started today.