.png?width=250&height=109&name=Hatch%20Logo%20-%20White%20Knockout%20(1).png)
Gestational surrogacy is a transformative journey for everyone involved. Helping another family achieve their dreams of becoming parents and becoming a parent are both deeply profound and rewarding experiences.
Surrogacy qualifications and requirements are determined by multiple stakeholders, from your surrogacy agency to the IVF clinic and your State’s legislation.
If you’re considering becoming a gestational surrogate, review the following surrogacy disqualifications and ask yourself if you’re prepared, physically and mentally, to embark on this exciting journey.
Disqualifications for Gestational Surrogacy
Surrogacy involves strict qualifications to protect the health and safety of the surrogate and baby. These criteria address both medical and non-medical factors that can affect the success of the process. Below are some of the most common disqualifications for surrogacy:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Preeclampsia
- Unhealthy body mass index (BMI)
- Type 1 diabetes and gestational diabetes
- Endometriosis
- Multiple C-sections
- Other underlying health conditions
- No previous children
- Under or over childbearing age
- Drug use
- Not being a U.S. citizen
- Living in a non-surrogacy friendly state
- Living in an unsafe environment
These disqualifications safeguard the health of the surrogate and the baby, and ensure that the surrogacy journey is as smooth and successful as possible. Below, we’ll cover each of these factors and explain why they disqualify someone from becoming a surrogate.
1. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder commonly affecting women of reproductive age. It can cause irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, and other health issues.
Those who suffer from PCOS have a higher chance of developing gestational diabetes, endometrial cancer, and preeclampsia. Additionally, women who suffer from PCOS are known to produce a significant amount of the male hormone androgen. Because of this, they might exhibit symptoms such as missed or irregular periods, body hair, weight gain, and acne.
Androgen also prevents the female reproductive system from releasing a healthy egg from the ovary into the fallopian tubes, making it harder to conceive a child.
Hatch services gestational surrogacy, so the surrogate does not share a genetic connection with the child they carry, though successfully carrying the pregnancy is what everyone involved is hoping for.
Although PCOS can be treated, the associated risks (such as hormonal imbalances, fertility challenges, and increased chances of pregnancy complications) mean that women with PCOS are not eligible to be surrogates with Hatch Fertility.
2. Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a medical condition that presents symptoms such as high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and kidney damage. At worst, preeclampsia can affect a gestational carrier’s kidneys and liver, cause neurological symptoms, compromise blood flow from the placenta to the baby, or escalate to eclampsia.
Discovering preeclampsia during pregnancy may necessitate inducing labor before the due date or even before viability if preeclampsia occurs early in pregnancy. This can be extremely difficult for surrogates and intended parents pursuing gestational surrogacy.
These health issues typically make carrying a pregnancy to term dangerous for both the gestational carrier and the baby. For these reasons, those diagnosed with preeclampsia are not qualified to become surrogates with Hatch.
3. Unhealthy BMI
Being a little overweight won’t prevent you from becoming a surrogate, especially if you've had previous pregnancies at a similar weight without complications.
However, women classified as underweight, morbidly obese, or with a BMI over 32 will have to consider their weight to qualify as surrogates. There are medical complications in pregnancy that are associated with being over- or underweight.
Most agencies don't have a minimum weight requirement, but the lower end typically stays above 19 because this can impact menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and lead to premature birth. A pre-pregnancy BMI over 32 can also lead to an increased risk of complications in pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes.
At Hatch Fertility, potential surrogates should have a BMI no higher than 32. Calculate your BMI and see if you qualify.
4. Type 1 & Gestational Diabetes
Due to medical risk factors associated with diabetes, women with Type 1 Diabetes cannot become surrogates.
Because Type 1 Diabetes is a lifelong condition that affects blood sugar regulation, it can lead to hormone-related glucose intolerance during pregnancy, increasing health risks for both the surrogate and the baby.
Some women who do not have pre-existing diabetes outside of pregnancy may experience gestational diabetes, disqualifying them for surrogacy. But sometimes women experience gestational diabetes that does not recur in future pregnancies, and it is well managed with diet alone. In this case, the surrogate may still be a good candidate if she has a recent normal A1c and fasting glucose test.
Risk factors associated with gestational diabetes include:
- Future diabetes in the surrogate and child
- Excessive weight in infant
- Premature delivery
- Low blood sugar in baby
- Preeclampsia in mother
- Respiratory distress syndrome in baby
Because of the risks gestational diabetes poses to pregnancy, surrogacy agencies don’t accept women with gestational diabetes requiring the use of insulin or similar medications.
5. Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when the tissue lining a woman’s uterus grows outside the womb, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, bladder, and even the tissue that holds the uterus in place.
The condition makes it harder to conceive and can cause infertility--still, women with endometriosis can undergo surgery to remove these growths.
Endometriosis disqualifies surrogates because it can affect the ability to carry a pregnancy to term.
Source: News Medical
6. Multiple C-Sections
Although one C-section may not disqualify you from becoming a surrogate, multiple C-sections will. Most clinics only accept surrogates with no more than two previous C-sections; some agencies will get candidates with three C-sections if the pregnancies are uncomplicated and they pass a mock cycle determined by the surrogacy agency and chosen fertility clinic. However, the exact number of C-sections you can have hasn't been established yet.
At Hatch Fertility, prospective surrogates with three C-Sections must have less than five total deliveries and pass a mock cycle to qualify.
7. Other Underlying Health Conditions
Other severe medical conditions unrelated to pregnancy could disqualify a surrogate, such as undergoing cancer treatment, mental illnesses, requiring non-pregnancy safe medication/treatment, and any conditions that require medications deemed unsafe for pregnancy.
Agencies defer to IVF doctors to set the parameters for the health and safety of surrogates and babies. They provide doctors with medical records to review for surrogate candidates in an effort to mitigate avoidable risks. At Hatch, our team works with candidates to support them through the medical record collection process.
8. No Previous Children
Agencies and IVF clinics require their surrogates to have given birth to at least one child they are raising. Ideally, the prospecting surrogate has a healthy birth history. Many have questioned why agencies have this requirement at the top of their lists. Without having a previous child, agencies can't clarify whether a potential surrogate can carry a child to term. Apart from that, it also shows the agency that the women are psychologically prepared for pregnancy. It is crucial for surrogates to have had a child prior to surrogacy to ensure their body and mind are capable of the tall task of pregnancy.
9. Under or Over the Childbearing Age
You must be between the ages of 21 and 42 to qualify as a surrogate. If you are under or over this age limit, there are increased chances of pregnancy complications. However, note that the age restrictions will differ from one agency to the next.
Why does the age range matter in surrogacy?
Women under 21 are generally considered too young for the responsibilities that surrogacy entails. Maturity and experience are crucial for making sensitive judgment calls and following the rigorous schedule and instructions required during pregnancy.
On the other end, women over 42 face additional health risks that can affect both the surrogate and the baby. These risks include:
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- High blood pressure during pregnancy
- Premature birth or low birth weight
- Increased likelihood of miscarriage or stillbirth
- Higher chances of requiring a cesarean section
10. Drug Use
Despite drinking and smoking not being labeled as illegal behaviors, they are not healthy habits for pregnant women. So, prospective surrogates with any history of drug or alcohol abuse are eliminated from the vetting process. Surrogates must abstain from tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol products pre-conception and throughout the surrogacy.
11. Not Being a U.S Citizen or Legal Resident
One of the qualifications for becoming a surrogate through Hatch Fertility is U.S. citizenship. This requirement is in place for legal and logistical ease.
Surrogacy laws vary significantly from country to country, and even state to state within the U.S.
By ensuring that surrogates are U.S. citizens, Hatch Fertility can provide consistent legal support, streamline the medical processes, and stay compliant with U.S. surrogacy laws. It creates a secure and stable environment for the surrogacy journey, benefiting the surrogate and the intended parents.
12. Living in a Non-Surrogacy-Friendly State
Surrogacy laws in the United States vary widely from state to state. Some states have supportive laws that provide a clear legal framework for surrogacy agreements, while others have restrictive or unclear laws that can complicate or even prohibit surrogacy arrangements.
Due to non-friendly surrogacy laws, we are currently not accepting surrogates residing in the following states:
13. Living in an Unsafe Environment
A safe and stable living environment is a critical factor in the surrogacy process. While the term "unsafe" can sound harsh, it encompasses a range of criteria that could negatively impact the health and well-being of the surrogate and the baby.
Agencies must ensure that their surrogates live in a stable environment that will not negatively impact their pregnancies. All intended parents want to be reassured that their surrogate is in a healthy environment conducive to pregnancy. It is up to the agencies to determine that a potential surrogate is committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Women experiencing financial difficulties, receiving state assistance such as food stamps, or having serious concerns about their criminal and financial background checks will not qualify to become a surrogate with Hatch.
What Does it Take to Qualify to Become a Surrogate?
The requirements for becoming a surrogate are there to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of the surrogate and the baby. Here are the general qualifications for becoming a surrogate:
- Age: Between 21 and 42 years old
- Reproductive history: At least one previous, uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery
- Health: No major medical conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, PCOS, endometriosis, or untreated mental health conditions
- BMI: Between 19 and 32
- Lifestyle: Non-smoker and no drug or alcohol abuse
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Residency: Lives in a surrogacy-friendly state
- Legal and financial stability: No serious criminal history; not dependent on government assistance
- Uterine health: No more than two C-sections (or three with special approval)
- Commitment: Willing to undergo medical evaluations and follow all treatment protocols
What Should Potential Surrogates Do if They Have Questions About Disqualifications?
If you’re considering becoming a surrogate and have questions about the qualifications or disqualifications, the first step is to start a prescreen application. This application is designed to help both you and Hatch determine if you meet the basic criteria for surrogacy.
Once you submit the application, our team of coordinators will review it and reach out to address any concerns you have.
Here’s what to expect:
- Expert guidance: Hatch Surrogacy has experienced coordinators who can offer insights into the process.
- Personalized support: You'll receive tailored information detailing both qualifications and potential disqualifications specific to your situation.
Why Surrogates Are Choosing Hatch
Surrogates choose Hatch Fertility for our commitment to safety, support, and success throughout the surrogacy journey. With an impressive 99.5% success rate and over 30 years of service, Hatch Fertility has earned a reputation for providing comprehensive and compassionate care. We offer top-tier medical support, expert legal assistance, and emotional and psychological services to ensure a healthy and fulfilling experience.
Our competitive surrogate compensation packages, personalized matching process, and around-the-clock support further improve the surrogacy journey, making Hatch Fertility the preferred choice for surrogates seeking a reliable and supportive partner.