In order to ensure surrogate candidates are likely to be approved by a medical doctor, all surrogates working with It’s Time Surrogacy must meet the following general surrogate medical requirements:
Age 21-45*
It’s Time Surrogacy sets surrogate requirements for gestational surrogate age from 21-45* years of age. This aligns with the age range recommended for gestational surrogates by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
No history of mental illness and pass psychological screening (partner also)
ASRM recommends that surrogates be psychologically sound and have a stable support system. To screen for this the surrogate and her partner will undergo visits with a psychological professional. After performing surrogacy assessments and screening, the psychological professional will produce a report. A copy of that report may be provided to the medical doctor, surrogacy agency, legal professionals, and the intended parents.
No past difficulties getting and staying pregnant
Though each pregnancy and situation is different, the past is the best available predictor of the future. Surrogates must have had no difficulty becoming and staying pregnant. This is a recommendation of ASRM and most fertility doctors.
No past difficulties while pregnant or during delivery
Though each pregnancy is different, having a history of a difficult pregnancy or delivery is an indication you may have difficulty with another pregnancy. It is essential that you have had easy and uneventful previous pregnancies. This is also a recommendation of ASRM.
Previously delivered and parenting a child
Becoming a surrogate is a privilege, and the doctors must know that you have given birth to a child with no difficulty.
Provide pregnancy and delivery records
As part of the medical screening, the doctor’s office will want to review all past pregnancy and delivery records. If they have any concerns with your records they may make adjustments to your surrogate screening.
Pass medical screening (partner also)
Each surrogate will have a full medical screening with a physician, which typically includes blood testing, urine testing, a physical examination, medical records review, and uterine evaluation. Every fertility center is different, so the medical screening could include more or less than what is listed.
The surrogate’s partner typically needs to undergo sexually transmitted disease screening. They must be willing to be a part of medical screening process.
Non-Smoker (nor smoking in the home)
Smoking has significant negative effects on pregnancy, so not smoking is essential. The surrogate mother, and potentially her partner, will complete drug, alcohol, and tobacco screening. Some intended parents may want this type of screening to be performed throughout the pregnancy.
No drug use
Drug use has significant negative effects on pregnancy. The surrogate mother, and potentially her partner, will complete drug, alcohol, and tobacco screening. Some intended parents may want this type of screening to be performed throughout the pregnancy.
BMI 18-30**
Obesity has a direct impact on health and fertility treatment outcome, so it is important before a surrogate pregnancy that the surrogate’s body mass index (BMI), a measure of total body fat based on height and weight, be no higher than 30.**
Find out what your BMI is here: BMI Calculator
Clean criminal background (partner also)
As a surrogate parent, you will be carrying someone else’s child. It is important to know if you have any criminal background. There will be a background check on both the surrogate and her partner. Family court laws in some states require this check. The results of the background check may be supplied to the court system when completing the surrogate contract.
Financially stable
To be sure surrogates are not being coerced, induced, or influenced by the financial gain of becoming a surrogate, it is necessary that the surrogate candidate be financially stable prior to becoming a surrogate. Surrogates cannot be receiving any government assistance.
*Traditional surrogates must be younger as their genetic material will be used in the creation of the pregnancy. Also some fertility doctors require surrogates to be under the age of 40, and may accept surrogates in the 18-20 year old range.
** Some fertility clinics may require a lower BMI, or may approve an even higher BMI.