At Chesapeake Surrogacy Center, we take pride in providing a safe, ethical, and supportive surrogacy experience. We carefully screen every gestational carrier in our program to make sure she is physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared for the journey. If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, review the surrogate requirements below to see whether you may be eligible.
You have to be between 21 and 42 years old. Why the age limit? Pregnancy becomes riskier as a woman gets older, and safety is always our number one priority for surrogates and the babies they carry.
You must have already carried and parented one or more children, and those pregnancies and deliveries should have been complication-free. Several dangerous conditions can occur during pregnancy and delivery, such as pre-eclampsia and premature labor, so we screen for them carefully. Remember, safety first.
You should be in good physical health with a BMI between 20 and 32. Above a BMI of 32, the hormone medications used during a surrogacy cycle become harder to manage, and obesity raises the risk of pregnancy complications. That said, not all chronic conditions are automatic disqualifiers. We review your medical records thoroughly, including any prescription medications. Even if a condition doesn’t affect your ability to carry, the medication you take may not be compatible with pregnancy, so you may need to be off it for an extended period before we can safely proceed.
You must be emotionally stable, motivated to help others, and someone who enjoys being pregnant. Past depression or anxiety does not automatically disqualify you, but we want to make sure you are in a great place to begin. A clinical psychologist will evaluate you to see whether you have good coping skills, a strong support system, and the ability to communicate your needs.
You must have a stable living situation. Surrogates do not have to be married, but they should have a strong support system and a safe home. You also cannot be an illicit drug user or have a criminal history. Finally, you must be financially stable. While surrogates in our program earn compensation, surrogacy is not a substitute for ongoing household income. The journey is lengthy, and your base compensation only begins once pregnancy is achieved. Surrogacy is not a quick or guaranteed way to make money.
You take many medications during a surrogacy cycle, including some by injection, such as hormones, antibiotics, prenatals, and other supportive therapies. Taking the right dose at the exact time is essential to the cycle’s success. Don’t worry, a nurse will train you to give yourself injections, and you’ll receive a detailed calendar with the timing and dosage of every medication. However, if you have a very hectic schedule and often forget to take medicine as instructed, surrogacy may not be right for you.
You must be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States. Our program focuses on surrogates who live in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC. We also work with surrogates in other surrogacy-friendly states, but we consider those candidates case by case because of the level of personal service we provide. We want you to feel fully supported by our staff. If we think you’d be a great candidate but you live outside our service area, we’ll gladly refer you to other programs we trust.
One of the most important surrogate qualifications is emotional readiness. Carrying a baby involves a lot of emotions, and when that baby isn’t yours, those emotions can be complicated.
To be a surrogate, you must be willing to devote at least 15 months of your life to becoming pregnant and carrying the baby to term. You’ve already had at least one pregnancy, so think about how you responded to it. In addition, the medications you take to prepare your body for the embryo transfer can cause tiredness, nausea, and bruising at the injection site. Our surrogates say that giving a baby to their intended parents is absolutely worth any physical discomfort, but it’s an important thing to consider.
How might you feel if the first embryo transfer is not successful? A failed transfer can trigger feelings of loss and failure. We work with you and your intended parents to build an action plan and next steps to try again. Still, you have to ask yourself whether you’re willing to try more than once and ready to experience the ups and downs of a surrogacy journey.
Surrogacy affects the daily routines in your home. If pregnancy complications put you on bed rest, the impact is even greater. Chesapeake Surrogacy Center offers a range of supports for these circumstances, including psychological support, income replacement insurance, and childcare and housekeeping allowances. Above all, becoming a surrogate is a family decision, so everyone needs to be on board.
There are many benefits to being a surrogate! That’s why surrogates in our program often say it was the best decision they ever made.
If you want to become a surrogate but have never had children of your own, that poses a real risk for both you and the parents hoping for a baby.
A professional, reputable surrogacy center protects your physical and emotional well-being. Without a prior birth, we don’t have the medical history we need to determine whether you can carry to term without complications. As an agency, we also have an obligation to our intended parents to match them with a surrogate who gives them the best chance of going home with a healthy baby.
