Becoming a surrogate mother is a one-of-a-kind journey with Circle Surrogacy because of our requirements, thorough process and wonderful benefits. Learn if you qualify with our surrogate criteria below.
Apply NowWomen interested in becoming surrogate mothers with Circle Surrogacy should meet the below gestational surrogate requirements.
Personal and Health Requirements for Surrogates
Financial Requirements for Surrogates
Lifestyle and Support Requirements for Surrogates
We understand the requirements feel like a lot (and can seem strict!) but please know that some are guided by fertility clinics and The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
Most importantly, we use these surrogate requirements as a starting point to get to know you!
We want to ensure as successful of a journey as possible for everyone involved!
When a woman does meet surrogate mother requirements, it doesn't mean that she hasn't had healthy and successful pregnancies of her own, or that she can't have a healthy pregnancy again in the future. Not meeting the requirements to become a surrogate means that a woman does not meet the criteria put forth by ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) and fertility clinics to have the most successful surrogate pregnancy possible for all parties involved.
Reasons for being disqualified or "rejected" as a surrogate does not reflect on the applicant as a person at all. It simply means that a surrogate pregnancy is not the right fit for her health or her lifestyle at this time. For example, having a BMI above 33 does not mean you do not live a healthy life, it simply means you are not in the optimal range for the medications and guidelines for being a surrogate. There are IVF medications involved in a surrogacy, and clinics need to be sure that the surrogate will respond appropriately, and that she has the best chance of carrying a successful pregnancy.
When you become a surrogate, there will be surrogacy medications that will need to be taken throughout the course of the pregnancy.
First, at the beginning of your journey, you'll take IVF medications to prepare your uterus for pregnancy by providing two important hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Taken in sequence, these two hormones are meant to simulate the surrogate’s natural cycle. This combination maximizes the chances of pregnancy and helps to prevent a miscarriage.
Once the embryo transfer occurs, a surrogate will continue to take medications for continued success with the pregnancy. When advised by a medical professional, she will stop medications and let her body continue with the pregnancy naturally.
Surrogate medications can be a combination of pills taken by mouth, suppositories inserted vaginally and injections.
Women come to surrogacy for a variety of reasons. Some women have a friend or family member who struggled to conceive, others desire to help same sex singles and couples experience parenthood, and some enjoy pregnancy and parenthood so much that they just want to help others. No matter what the reason you might be interested in becoming a gestational carrier (surrogate), it is one of the most selfless and monumental gifts you could ever give to someone.
If you want to become a surrogate, you should be prepared to be "all in" emotionally on your journey. Here is how you can emotionally prepare for a surrogacy journey:
Circle Surrogates enjoy their surrogacy journeys so much, that many of them agree to doing a second journey with us!
Whether you are on the East Coast, the West Coast or somewhere in between, the state you live in does not dictate your requirements in being a good surrogate applicant (unless you live in a state that is not surrogacy friendly). Surrogacy requirements are put forth by ASRM and clinics (and some agencies may have specific gestational carrier requirements). The state you live in may have an impact on the types of intended parents with whom you can match. Surrogacy requirements in California and Pennsylvania will be the same. Read more about surrogacy in your state.
Many women have easy, uncomplicated pregnancies...so why is it that there are so many requirements in order to carry a baby for someone else?
While the act of being pregnant with your own child and being pregnant with a surrogate baby is relatively the same, how you become pregnant – and how you are monitored for pregnancy – is very different. For example, a surrogate must take IVF medications in order to prepare her body for a pregnancy. A surrogate must meet medical requirements in order to ensure she will respond to medications properly.
Surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics desire the most successful outcome possible. Many intended parents come to surrogacy after many IVF failures, and they are hoping surrogacy will bring them the baby of their dreams. Having a woman meet health and medical requirements – as well as emotional and support requirements – will assist in the success in the surrogacy.
As you consider the surrogacy process, you may have questions along the way. With many experienced surrogates on staff, we've helped women navigate their surrogacy journeys successfully, and have answered almost every question out there! Whether you're curious about surrogacy law, parental rights, fertility issues, or embryo transfer, we've got the details you need.
Absolutely. Having a tubal ligation (aka having your "tubes tied") will not affect your ability to be a successful gestational surrogate.
No. If you do have medical insurance coverage, we'll take a look at the plan to see if it is likely to cover surrogacy. If so, you may be entitled to a higher base fee. But if you don't have insurance, it's not a problem. We'll find a plan that will cover you and your intended parents will pay any costs associated with the process of surrogacy.
We do occasionally have couples who share these beliefs, however it is a rare occurrence as most of our intended parents ultimately want the choice to make decisions about their own family. You are encouraged to inquire with our staff whether or not we currently have intended parents who would not terminate a pregnancy due to a severe medical diagnosis of the fetus.