By Isabelle Bryan

For those considering becoming a gestational surrogate, there are several factors to consider from surrogate requirements to a potentially unsuccessful pregnancy to the legal aspects of surrogacy. However, gestational surrogacy is not all challenges and tests and planning. As a surrogate, you are helping to give the intended parent or parents a child. You may even develop a friendship with the intended family during and after the surrogacy process. And, with the right agency, you will be well compensated and cared for over the course of your pregnancy. 

Surrogacy Choices is one such agency. We are here to provide surrogate mothers with support and information before, during, and after your surrogacy process. Between our surrogacy specialists and the intended parents, you will never have to worry about making this journey alone. 

What is Gestational Surrogacy?

When becoming a surrogate, there are two forms of surrogacy to consider—gestational and traditional. In the first, both the egg and sperm used to create the embryo come from the intended parents or donors. The embryo or embryos are placed in the uterus of the gestational surrogate in a process called in-vitro fertilization (IVF). As such, while you are carrying and delivering the child, you will not be genetically related to them. 

In traditional surrogacy, on the other hand, the surrogate mother is the child’s biological mother. Your eggs, alongside sperm from a donor or one of the intended parents, are used to achieve a pregnancy. This is often done through intrauterine insemination, but IVF can be used as well. As a consequence, however, you will be surrendering not just a child, but your biological child. This can make traditional surrogacy more emotionally and legally complicated than gestational surrogacy. 

In order to become a gestational surrogate with our agency, a number of requirements need to be met. For example, you must be a healthy individual between 21 and 39 years of age. You have to have had at least one pregnancy without complications, and be the parent of at least one child. You cannot have—or have had—mental health issues or be experiencing financial difficulties. These are not all of our requirements, of course, but they are some of the major ones. If you are unsure as to whether something disqualifies you, it is important to ask before beginning the screening process.

The Surrogacy Journey

If you qualify to become a gestational surrogate, then you are ready to begin the surrogacy process. This will likely include:

• An initial screening. The first step of this is sending in an application, which may ask you to:
  • Answer questions about who you are and why you want to become a surrogate
  • Share your medical history and information about your family
  • Provide documentation such as your driver’s license

Following this, you will likely be asked to complete a background check. In-home visits and interviews may also be conducted to assess your living situation, support systems, and motivations for choosing surrogacy. 

• A medical screening. This often means a clinical review of your medical history as well as a physical and psychological evaluation. Additional tests may include screenings for infectious diseases and genetic conditions, a pap smear, and an examination of your uterus. 
• Matching with the intended parent or parents
• The creation of a legal agreement. This may discuss topics including surrogate compensation and responsibilities, which primarily include taking care of yourself during your pregnancy. The legal agreement will likely also serve to establish the intended family’s parental rights.
• Fertility treatments to prepare you for IVF by synchronizing your menstrual cycle with that of the intended egg donor
• Transfer of the embryo to your uterus. Once a successful pregnancy is confirmed, you will begin receiving prenatal care, which may include regular checkups.
• Childbirth and relinquishment of the child. Depending on the intended family, you may also be asked to provide breast milk for the child post-delivery. If you choose to agree, you and the intended family should discuss compensation and logistics. 
• Taking the time to recover emotionally and physically. Consider socializing with your support system, talking to counselors, utilizing pain relief and relaxation methods, and engaging in postpartum exercises. 

The Benefits of Being a Gestational Surrogate

Becoming a surrogate mother offers several potential benefits for both you and the intended parents, including:

• It gives single individuals, couples having fertility troubles, LGBTQ+ couples, and others the chance to have a family
• Unlike traditional surrogacy, both of the intended parents can be genetically related to their child
• The legal agreement ensures both you and the intended family can have your wants and needs met
• You and the intended family have the chance to develop a friendship during and after your pregnancy
• The gestational surrogacy process can be a rewarding and emotionally fulfilling experience for the surrogate, particularly if you enjoy being pregnant. 
• The chance to connect with and gain support from other surrogate mothers

Potential Concerns and Challenges for Gestational Surrogates 

Despite its variety of benefits, gestational surrogacy does have its potential risks and challenges, which may include:

• The IVF process could be unsuccessful
• You may experience complications such as a miscarriage or preterm labor
• Fertility treatment side effects such as injection site pain, headaches, nausea, and mood changes. The reactions you experience may depend on the fertility treatments used.
• The various potential health challenges associated with pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, cramps, and hot flashes
• Emotional struggles, such as forming an attachment to the child, as well as more serious issues like postpartum depression
• Disappointment if the intended family is difficult to work and communicate with. The same feeling may occur if you wish to develop a friendship with them but are unable to. 

Surrogate Compensation and Support Offered by Surrogacy Choices

As a gestational surrogate, it is important to ask for and take advantage of any assistance you need. At Surrogacy Choices, our services include:

• Ensuring that you are provided with surrogacy compensation 
• Physical and mental health support 
• Assistance matching with an intended family
• Help planning and keeping track of your medical appointments
• Legal protection

Is Gestational Surrogacy the Right Choice for You?

In the end, becoming a gestational surrogate is an intensely personal decision and not one you can make lightly. It is a process that requires a variety of qualifications and an extensive time commitment. For some, the potential of challenging intended families, complications, and other factors may somewhat dull its appeal. But even with its potential risks and downsides, gestational surrogacy can be a truly rewarding process in ways including helping the intended family to become parents, experiencing pregnancy, and receiving compensation. 

At Surrogacy Choices, it is our goal to make sure you are informed, prepared, and taken care of. No matter whether you are questioning becoming a surrogate or ready to fill out a surrogate mother application. If you have questions or are looking for assistance, we are here to help. Our agency can be reached by phone and email, or you can visit one of our physical offices.