At Heartland Surrogacy, we know that the decision to become a surrogate is not made overnight. We want our surrogates to be well-informed and comfortable with their choice, because it’s a life-changing decision to carry a pregnancy for someone else.
If you are thinking about becoming a surrogate, but you’re still wondering if it’s the right choice for you and for your family, read through our list of signs you would be a great surrogate and see how many boxes you check!
You meet the basic requirements for surrogacy.
The first thing to look into is the basic requirements for surrogacy. While some factors, such as age and BMI, can vary slightly between different agencies and fertility clinics, the majority of these requirements exist whether you are matched through Heartland Surrogacy or independently. To work with our agency, you must live in one of our two regions: the Midwest or the West Coast. A full list of our basic requirements can be found here.
You have a healthy lifestyle and medical history.
This is one of the most important qualifications and you will have to pass a psychological and medical screening before being approved. In addition to having a healthy height/weight proportion, being a non-smoker, and having healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies, you should be in good overall physical and mental health. You should have no history of drug use, alcoholism, or mental illness. The use of certain medications, such as those for anxiety or depression, is also not allowed during the surrogacy process.
You are committed and ready to start the process.
When applying to become a surrogate, you should be sure that you are ready to commit the time and emotional energy necessary. It is important that you fully understand the surrogacy process, including the legal and medical aspects. You will also need to consider how a journey can affect your family. From start to finish, the process takes longer than a normal pregnancy and will require many appointments before the pregnancy even begins.
You’re a good communicator!
It is important that you’re able to effectively communicate with the whole team of people with whom you’ll be working: our staff, the intended parents, attorneys, and medical professionals. Clear and prompt communication is vital to building a healthy relationship with your intended parents and having a successful journey.
You are organized and responsible.
Although we will support you during your journey, it will ultimately be up to you to keep track of the many appointments involved from screening to delivery. You are also responsible for following your medical protocol and submitting for expenses as necessary. Your surrogacy journey is a commitment to the family you’re helping to build, and a good surrogate will be able to tackle all of the necessary tasks and be responsible enough to know when to reach out for help.
You enjoy being pregnant.
“I love being pregnant, but I don’t want any more kids of my own,” is one of the top reasons we hear from women choosing to become surrogates. If you love the experience of being pregnant, surrogacy might be a great choice for you!
You have a strong support system.
Surrogacy is a unique experience that requires a substantial commitment of time, energy, and effort. In addition to the normal support you would need during a pregnancy, you will also need support for the emotional aspects of a surrogacy journey. You may also need practical support for day-to-day tasks. Your support system should include family members, friends, and co-workers.
If you’re in a committed relationship, it’s vital that you have the full support of your partner because the process will affect their life as well.
You are done with your own family.
Carrying a child comes with certain fundamental risks, including secondary infertility and loss of reproductive organs. Although the medical professionals you work with will do their best to assure your health and safety, it is important that your family feel complete, in case you do run into one of these complications.
You have the right motivations.
While we understand and support the desire to be fairly compensated, we also know that the compensation alone is unlikely to be “enough.” It is important to also have a sense of altruism and a deep desire to help others grow their family.
If you read through this list and thought, “That sounds like me!” chances are you would be a wonderful surrogate. You can always reach out to us with questions or start your application today!