Author: Louisa H

Can’t Carry a Pregnancy Due to a Back Injury? Here’s How Surrogacy Can Help You Have a Baby

A back injury shouldn’t stop you from being a parent. Choose a safe path that protects your health while you grow your biological family.

A back injury or spinal condition shouldn’t end your dream of becoming a parent.

Surrogacy after a back injury offers a safe, medically recognized path to parenthood.

Wondering what surrogacy looks like in your situation? Connect with a surrogacy specialist today to find out.

We are here to help you understand how surrogacy works, the medical reasons why intended parents choose this path, and the specific ways American Surrogacy supports you through every step of the process.

Why Surrogacy for Back Injury Is a Safe Next Step After Being Told You Can’t Carry

When a doctor advises against carrying a pregnancy due to a spinal condition, it can feel like a door is closing on your future as a parent.

Choosing surrogacy for a back injury is a proactive medical decision to ensure you are physically healthy enough to be the parent your child needs.

Pregnancy fundamentally shifts your center of gravity and releases hormones like relaxin that loosen spinal ligaments. For those with existing injuries, this creates a high risk of permanent nerve damage or loss of mobility.

By choosing a gestational surrogate, you are protecting your long-term health while still achieving the dream of a biological child.

Now that you’ve chosen a safer path, the next logical question is: How do I find a surrogate? Learn more about our matching process.

Maintaining a Genetic Connection Through Surrogacy After a Spinal Injury

One of the biggest misconceptions for intended parents with back issues is that their injury affects their fertility. In reality, a spinal injury typically has no impact on egg or sperm quality.

  • Can a woman with a spinal cord injury have biological children? Yes. While carrying a pregnancy may be high-risk, your eggs can be retrieved through IVF to create embryos.
  • The Role of the Gestational Surrogate: In a gestational surrogacy arrangement, the surrogate has no genetic link to the baby.
  • The Result: You maintain a 100% genetic connection to your child. The surrogate provides a safe environent for the baby to grow, but the DNA belongs entirely to you.

What the Surrogacy Process Looks Like for Intended Parents With Back or Spinal Injuries

Becoming a parent through surrogacy follows a structured, supportive path. While the physical strain is handled by your surrogate, you are the heart of every milestone.

  • Step 1: Connecting with Your Agency. Your journey begins with a consultation to discuss your goals. We help you navigate the requirements for “medical necessity” often needed for legal clearance.
  • Step 2: Matching with a Surrogate. You are paired with a fully screened surrogate who understands your situation and is excited to help.
  • Step 3: Legal Protections. Attorneys finalize a contract that outlines everyone’s roles and protects your parental rights.
  • Step 4: Embryo Transfer. Through IVF, your embryos, created from your own eggs and sperm, are transferred to the surrogate.
  • Step 5: Pregnancy and the Big Day. You share the pregnancy experience with your surrogate, attending appointments and preparing for your baby’s arrival. You will be there at the hospital to welcome your child home.

Knowing the steps is one thing; understanding the timeline is another. Learn more about how long the surrogacy process takes and what to expect at each step.

Emotional Realities of Choosing Surrogacy for a Back Injury

Accepting that you cannot safely carry a child is a significant emotional shift.

Even if you are not facing traditional infertility, it is common to experience a sense of grief when a doctor advises against pregnancy for your physical safety.

Surrogacy allows you to transform a medical “no” into a different kind of “yes.” By protecting your spine now, you are ensuring you can physically show up for the years of lifting, playing, and caregiving that follow.

Choosing a surrogate isn’t a “backup plan,” it is a proactive medical decision to prioritize your health while growing your family

Preparing for Parenthood After a Spinal Injury: Post-Surrogacy Considerations

Becoming a parent is a physical job, and if you are living with a back or spinal injury, you need a plan for “adaptive parenting”. This involves setting up your home to minimize spinal strain while you care for your baby..

Consider these tips for caring for a child when you have a spinal cord injury to make your home more accessible:

  • Adaptive Cribs: Look for cribs with side-opening “gates” so you don’t have to lean over a high rail while holding a baby.
  • Height-Adjustable Gear: Ensure changing tables and bath stations are at a height that allows you to keep your spine neutral.
  • Lightweight Strollers: Choose strollers that are easy to fold and lift, or look for models compatible with wheelchairs if needed.
  • Accessible Nursery Layout: Keep all essential supplies at waist height to prevent unnecessary reaching.

Planning for these details now allows you to focus entirely on bonding with your baby once they arrive.

How American Surrogacy Supports Intended Parents Exploring Surrogacy for Back Injury

At American Surrogacy, we provide a specialized support system designed to handle the logistical and financial “heavy lifting,” allowing you to focus on your recovery and your baby.

  • Our intended parents typically find a match within 1 to 4 months.
  • Our Limited Risk Program provides a comprehensive safety net, offering unlimited matching at no extra cost.
  • Every surrogate in our network undergoes an intensive screening process before they are ever presented as a match, saving you from the heartbreak of mid-process medical disqualifications.

By choosing American Surrogacy, you are choosing a partner that prioritizes your family’s timeline just as much as your physical health.

Fill out our simple form today to get started.

I’m Having a Baby via Surrogacy but Can’t Breastfeed Because of Double Mastectomy

Explore safe infant feeding paths, including donor milk and formula, and discover powerful bonding rituals for parents after a mastectomy.

Navigating the transition to parenthood after a double mastectomy brings a unique set of emotional and physical considerations.

Choosing safe alternatives like donor milk or formula allows you to focus on your recovery while providing everything your child needs.

Connect with our surrogacy specialists to ensure you have the resources needed for a smooth transition to parenthood.

What Are My Baby Feeding Options After a Double Mastectomy?

For parents who have undergone significant surgery, the most important thing to know is that your baby has several safe ways to receive the nutrition they need to thrive.

Depending on your situation, you might choose:

  • Infant formula
  • Donor breast milk
  • Milk provided by your surrogate

Many families find that the best approach involves a combination of these methods, allowing for flexibility as you adjust to parenthood.

Using a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) After Mastectomy

If you deeply desire the physical experience of nursing, a supplemental nursing system (SNS) is a valuable tool.

This device consists of a reservoir filled with formula or donor milk, with thin, flexible tubes that are taped near your nipples.

When the baby latches onto your breast, they receive the milk through the tubes. While this does not produce natural milk after a double mastectomy, it allows for:

  • The physical sensation of nursing for both parent and baby.
  • Sustained skin-to-skin contact during every feeding session.
  • An identical feeding rhythm to traditional breastfeeding.

Many parents find that using an SNS helps bridge the emotional gap caused by surgery, allowing them to feel the unique closeness of nursing while ensuring the baby is fully nourished.

Choosing the Best Formula If You Can’t Breastfeed

When selecting a formula after a mastectomy, you can choose from standard cow’s-milk bases, hypoallergenic options for sensitivities, or organic brands.

  • Standard formulas: Typically cow’s-milk-based and suitable for the majority of healthy infants.
  • Hypoallergenic formulas: Designed for babies with sensitivities or confirmed allergies to cow’s milk protein.
  • Organic formulas: Made with ingredients that meet strict organic farming standards.

Consumer Reports has previously tested various formulas for heavy metal contaminants like arsenic and lead. Following these results, the FDA has worked to strengthen oversight to better protect infants from environmental toxins.

Can My Surrogate Provide Breast Milk?

In some surrogacy arrangements, the surrogate may provide breast milk after birth.

Because a double mastectomy makes breastfeeding impossible, discussing this during the initial matching phase ensures everyone is aligned.

This arrangement should be clearly defined in your surrogacy contract to cover the surrogate’s time, supplies, and shipping logistics.

At American Surrogacy, our specialists act as a bridge during these conversations, helping you navigate the request with transparency and respect so that the focus remains on a healthy, collaborative partnership.

How to Access Donor Milk Safely

Donor milk is an excellent alternative if you want your baby to receive breast milk but cannot provide it yourself.

The FDA recommends using only milk from accredited banks, such as those associated with the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA).

While donor milk is a safe option, it typically costs $3 to $5 per ounce to cover processing.

While donor milk provides essential nutrients, it typically costs between $3 and $5 per ounce to cover screening and processing fees. It is crucial to avoid unvetted online milk-sharing communities, as unscreened milk can carry risks of infectious diseases or exposure to medications.

Bonding With Your Baby Without Breastfeeding

Many parents worry they might miss out on the biological connection formed during nursing.

However, bonding is not dependent on the source of the milk, but on the presence, touch, and responsiveness you offer. You can grow that connection deeply through intentional feeding rituals:

You can grow that connection deeply through intentional feeding rituals:

  • Skin-to-skin contact: Holding your baby against your bare chest during bottle feeding regulates their heart rate and promotes security.
  • Gazing: Maintaining eye contact during feeds helps your baby learn your expressions and feel recognized.
  • Scent cloths: Keeping a soft cloth against your skin and then placing it near the baby helps them associate your scent with comfort.

Overcoming Guilt When You Can’t Breastfeed

It is natural to feel a sense of loss when a medical necessity changes how you imagined your first days of parenthood.

However, nourishment is a holistic act. By choosing a safe feeding alternative, you are protecting your recovery and ensuring you have the energy and health required to be fully present for your child.

If these feelings become overwhelming, seeking professional counseling can help you process your emotions and reframe your perspective on nourishment.

At American Surrogacy, we provide the expert surrogate screening, matching, and emotional support needed to navigate these sensitive post-birth details.

Start your journey with us today and take the final steps toward parenthood with peace of mind.

How Do I Become a Surrogate with High BMI?

Meet surrogacy BMI requirements by using our calculation guide and wellness program to reach ASRM health standards for a safe pregnancy.

Finding out there is a BMI limit for surrogacy can feel like a sudden roadblock, especially when your heart is set on helping a family.

It’s important to know that these requirements aren’t a judgment of your worth or your ability to be a great mother; they are clinical safeguards designed to protect your health and the dreams of the intended parents.

If you’re ready to see if you meet the requirements to become a surrogate, fill out our form today.

How Do I Become a Surrogate with a High BMI?

BMI requirements are not arbitrary numbers set by agencies; they are based on clinical guidance from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Fertility clinics follow strict medical guidelines; generally, you cannot proceed as a surrogate if your BMI is significantly over the limit.

The most effective way to move forward is to focus on physical health to meet the specific benchmarks that clinics rely on to clear surrogates for a safe pregnancy.

Is weight your only question? View our list of surrogate requirements to see how your health history and lifestyle align with our program standards.

Why Do Fertility Clinics Have BMI Requirements?

It is common to feel discouraged by a weight cutoff, but these rules prioritize medical safety and pregnancy success, not personal value.

The ASRM provides evidence-based recommendations that most fertility clinics in the U.S. adopt as strict protocols.

According to these medical standards, a higher BMI is linked to specific hurdles that agencies and intended parents work to mitigate:

  • Gestational Diabetes & Preeclampsia: Higher BMI levels increase the risk of these conditions, which can impact your long-term health.
  • Medication Efficacy: Some IVF medications are absorbed differently in women with higher body fat percentages, which can lead to cycle cancellations.
  • Lower Success Rates: IVF data shows that embryos are statistically less likely to result in a successful live birth when the surrogate’s BMI is over the clinic’s limit.

What’s the Ideal BMI for Surrogacy—and Where’s the Flexibility?

The standard BMI range for a surrogate is typically 19 to 32. Most fertility clinics use 32 as a strict cutoff for medical clearance.

Occasionally, a clinic may accept a BMI of 34 or 35 if you have a history of uncomplicated pregnancies and perfect health markers.

How to Calculate Your BMI for Surrogacy

To determine if you meet clinic requirements, you can calculate your BMI using a simple math formula. Fertility clinics in the U.S. use the standard Body Mass Index (BMI) formula, which is a calculation of your weight in relation to your height.

The surrogacy BMI formula:

  1. Multiply your weight in pounds by 703.
  2. Divide that number by your height in inches.
  3. Divide that result by your height in inches again.

Example Calculation: If you are 5’4” (64 inches) and weigh 180 pounds:

  • 180 x 703 = 126,540
  • 126,540 ÷ 64 = 1,977.18
  • 1,977.18 ÷ 64 = 30.8 BMI

In this example, your BMI of 30.8 falls under the standard industry limit of 32, meaning you would likely be medically cleared to move forward with most surrogacy programs.

Can I Get Paid to Lose Weight for Surrogacy?

Most agencies see a high BMI as a “No.” We see it as a “Not Yet.”

We can connect you with a health and wellness coaching program through Biointelligent Wellness.

We cover the costs of this nutrition program to ensure you are the healthiest, strongest version of yourself for the baby and the intended parents

We know it’s frustrating to feel like your journey is on hold because of a single number. While we can’t bypass medical safety standards, we can help you meet them.

Your Journey Doesn’t Have to Wait

At American Surrogacy, we don’t believe a number on a scale should end your dream of helping others.

Unlike agencies that dismiss applicants based on BMI alone, we invest in your success by covering the costs of professional health coaching.

If you are motivated to reach the clinical benchmarks for a safe, life-changing pregnancy, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Ready to partner with an agency that invests in your health? Contact a surrogacy specialist today.

Is it Selfish to Use a Surrogate Because I’m Scared to Have Another Baby after a Traumatic Birth?

Considering surrogacy after birth trauma? Learn how gestational surrogacy offers a safe, empowered way to grow your family without a high-risk pregnancy.

Choosing surrogacy after a traumatic birth is a protective, responsible decision that prioritizes your health so you can be the parent your children deserve.

By working with a surrogate, you can grow your family without the constant threat of a medical or mental health crisis.

Want another baby but scared to get pregnant again? ​Connect with a specialist today to learn how you can grow your family while prioritizing your health and your family’s stability.

I want another baby but I’m scared to get pregnant again. Is it selfish to use a surrogate?

It is not selfish to use a surrogate when you are scared to get pregnant again; in fact, for many parents, it’s the most loving thing they can do for their existing family.

There is a common misconception that surrogacy is a “luxury” or a shortcut, but for those who have survived a traumatic birth, it is a medical and emotional safety plan.

Your well-being matters. By choosing surrogacy, you are making sure that the story of your next child’s birth is defined by preparation and peace, rather than the fear you experienced before.

Understanding Birth Trauma and PTSD: Why Your Fear is Valid

If you feel a deep, physical sense of dread regarding a delivery room, your body is likely reacting to birth trauma and PTSD.

Postpartum PTSD is a clinical condition that goes beyond “nerves”; it is a neurological response to a past life-threatening event. It can manifest as flashbacks, severe anxiety, and panic attacks triggered by the physical sensations of pregnancy or the environment of a hospital.

When you are scared to have another baby after traumatic birth, your brain is functioning as it was designed, to protect you from a perceived threat.

Choosing surrogacy for PTSD is a medically sound way to respect your body’s biological limits. It allows you to separate the joy of adding to your family from the physical triggers of gestation and delivery.

What is Secondary Tokophobia?

Secondary Tokophobia is an intense, pathological dread of future pregnancy and childbirth. While PTSD stems from past trauma, tokophobia is evoked by potential future threats.

You may experience one, or you may find yourself navigating both simultaneously.

For many, the fear is so paralyzing that it acts as a physical barrier to family planning, even when the desire for another child is overwhelming.

Surrogacy offers a way to separate the trauma of the process from the joy of the person, your child. It is a solution that acknowledges you don’t have to sacrifice your mental health to be a mother again.

Can I Choose Surrogacy for Birth Trauma PTSD or Secondary Tokophobia?

Yes, surrogacy is an increasingly common path for parents whose medical history includes birth-related trauma. We are living in a time where we finally recognize that mental health is health.

If your doctor or therapist agrees that a repeat pregnancy would be detrimental to your physical or mental well-being, surrogacy is a legitimate medical alternative.

By normalizing surrogacy for anxiety and PTSD, you are helping to break the stigma for other parents who feel “broken” because they can’t imagine going through birth again. Many parents find that once they decide on surrogacy, the constant weight of fear lifts.

If You Experienced Pregnancy or Birth Complications

If your previous delivery involved critical complications, your OBGYN may explicitly advise against carrying another child.

Common medical reasons to choose surrogacy include:

  • Preeclampsia: This can lead to life-threatening complications for both you and the baby. Surrogacy after preeclampsia is a common way to grow your family without the risk of stroke or organ damage.
  • Postpartum Hemorrhage: If you had an emergency during your last delivery, the thought of a repeat can be terrifying. Having a baby after postpartum hemorrhage through surrogacy removes that emergency risk from your plate.
  • Uterine Rupture: Because this is a major medical emergency, surrogacy after uterine rupture is often the only way to safely have another biological child.
  • Cardiomyopathy: Heart issues during pregnancy can be fatal, making surrogacy a life-saving alternative.

In these cases, attempting another pregnancy could pose a significant risk to your life or the life of your future baby. Surrogacy allows you to prioritize your survival and long-term health so you can be the parent your current and future children need.

Moving Toward a Plan Without the Pressure

Acknowledging that your health requires a different path is a significant emotional milestone.

Often, the next hurdle is the logistical one: understanding the investment required for surrogacy.

We believe that financial clarity is a vital part of your emotional well-being. Knowing exactly what to expect helps remove the “overwhelming” feeling that often follows a medical crisis.

You can [view our transparent fee structure here] to see how we protect your investment while prioritizing a safe delivery.

How Surrogacy Can Be a Healing Path After a Traumatic Birth

Many parents find that surrogacy is actually a healing experience. It allows you to reclaim the joy of growing your family without the shadow of medical trauma hanging over every milestone.

This path ensures that when your baby is born, you aren’t recovering from a major surgery or a terrifying ICU stay. You are healthy, you are present, and you are ready to hold your baby.

This shifts the entire family dynamic from one of crisis to one of celebration. It’s a way to prove to yourself that birth doesn’t always have to be scary, it can be a collaborative, supported, and safe experience.

Why Surrogates Choose This Path

One of the biggest hurdles for parents is the fear that they are “passing their trauma” onto a surrogate. It’s important to remember that surrogates are not “victims” of this process.

This partnership is built on a foundation of safety, starting with strict medical standards.

To qualify, a surrogate must have a history of healthy, low-risk pregnancies. If a woman has experienced major complications—like severe preeclampsia or significant hemorrhaging—she is medically disqualified. You are partnering with someone whose body has proven it can handle pregnancy with resilience.

Beyond clinical requirements, these women are often driven by a sense of purpose and the unique gift they can provide. They take pride in being the person who can provide a stable environment for your baby to grow.

Managing Complex Emotions: Guilt, Grief, and Empowerment

It is completely normal to feel a messy mix of guilt and grief as you look into surrogacy. You might feel like your body “failed” or grieve the fact that you won’t be the one feeling those first kicks.

These are common feelings when dealing with birth trauma, and they don’t mean you’re making the wrong choice.

You are being an incredible parent before your child is even conceived. By choosing surrogacy, you are making a decision to ensure your child has a healthy, present mother. That isn’t a failure, it is an act of protection.

You Deserve a Safer Way Forward

Your past birth experience does not have to dictate your future as a parent.

By choosing surrogacy, you are ensuring that your next child’s arrival is a celebration of life, not a struggle for it. Connect with us now to start your journey toward a supported path to parenthood.

Not ready to talk yet? Learn more about the medical requirements, the matching process, and how we prioritize the mental health of our families.

Surrogacy after the Loss of a Partner: Posthumous Reproduction

Honoring a partner through posthumous reproduction is a courageous path. Learn how to navigate IVF and surrogacy to protect their legacy.

Losing a partner is an unimaginable tragedy, especially when you were in the midst of planning a future together.

You can honor your partner’s legacy and fulfill your shared promise of parenthood through posthumous reproduction and surrogacy.

You might be ready to begin the matching process today, or you may need help navigating the logistics. Fill out our form to get empathetic, expert-led support from a surrogacy specialist today.

What is Posthumous Reproduction?

Posthumous reproduction is a term used by the medical and legal communities to describe the use of a deceased person’s genetic material, such as sperm, eggs, or embryos, to conceive a child.

For many, it is a way to hold onto a piece of a life cut short and to fulfill the dreams of a family that you and your partner built together.

Protecting Your Partner’s Legacy: Why a Surrogate is Vital in Posthumous Journeys

We understand that in posthumous journeys, your embryos are more than medical assets; they are irreplaceable links to your partner.

Because you may have a limited number of embryos or gametes, the margin for error in the medical process is significantly smaller.

Our screening focuses on surrogates who have successfully carried pregnancies before to maximize the potential of every single transfer.

By choosing a surrogate who has passed a rigorous screening process, you minimize physical variables and give your partner’s genetic material the best possible chance of a successful birth.

Learn how our screening process protects your partner’s genetic legacy.

Understanding the Posthumous Surrogacy Process

If you are ready to move forward, the surrogacy process provides a structured medical and legal framework to bring your child into the world.

By working with an agency, you gain a dedicated specialist who coordinates between your IVF clinic, your surrogate and legal counsel to ensure state laws and clinic protocols are met.

  1. Initial Consultation: Contact a surrogacy specialist to review your medical history, existing embryos or gametes, and the legal documentation regarding your partner’s intent.
  2. Surrogate Matching: We connect you with pre-screened surrogates. Once you find a match, the surrogate undergoes a final in-person medical evaluation at your clinic to finalize the match.
  3. Legal Contracts: Attorneys will draft an agreement that establishes your rights as a single parent and confirms the legal authorization to use your partner’s genetic material.
  4. Embryo Transfer: Following legal clearance, the IVF clinic performs the transfer, and your agency specialist coordinates all communication between you, the surrogate, and the medical team.
  5. Parentage and Birth: In many states, your attorney will file for a Pre-Birth Order (PBO) during your pregnancy to establish your rights before delivery. In other jurisdictions, a Post-Birth Order or administrative process is used shortly after the birth to achieve the same result.

Preparing for Your Surrogacy Journey

At American Surrogacy, we require intended parents to have viable embryos ready for use before the official match with a surrogate is finalized.

This is a protective measure for both parties; it ensures the surrogate is not waiting on medical procedures that may have uncertain outcomes, and it allows you to move directly into the legal and medical transfer phase once you find the right person.

If You Already Have Embryos

If you and your partner previously created and stored embryos, you are in the best position to begin the matching process immediately.

Connect with a surrogacy specialist today to take the next step.

If You Have Preserved Sperm or Eggs

If you have your partner’s preserved gametes but have not yet created embryos, your first step is working with a clinic to create embryos.

You do not have to wait for embryos to be ready to contact an agency. While you cannot be officially “matched” or medically screened until embryos are viable, you can still complete your surrogacy planning questionnaire and intended parent profile in the meantime.

Starting these steps now ensures that as soon as your embryos are ready, your agency can immediately begin your search for a surrogate.

Navigating the Legal and Ethical Landscape

The legalities of posthumous reproduction vary significantly by state. It is critical to address these three areas immediately:

  1. Written Consent: Most clinics and courts require clear, written intent from the deceased partner expressing their desire for their genetic material to be used posthumously.
  2. Social Security and Inheritance: Laws regarding whether a posthumously conceived child is considered a legal heir vary. You will need a surrogacy professional to help navigate these “what ifs”.
  3. Clinic Policies: Every IVF clinic has different protocols for the release of gametes after a death. Ensure your legal team coordinates directly with your medical providers.

We can help you find a reputable attorney to ensure your partner’s documented wishes are honored by courts and clinics alike.

Navigating Parenthood After Loss

Choosing to pursue parenthood after the loss of a partner is a courageous step that often exists in the space between mourning and hope.

You might be continuing a process you started together or starting a new chapter to honor your shared dreams. It is natural to feel a mix of profound sorrow and quiet excitement during this time.

This journey carries significant weight because of the deep emotional connection to your partner’s genetic material. We recognize that you are fulfilling a promise made to the person you loved.

Our role is to provide a stable, professional environment so you can focus on your emotional wellbeing while we manage the complexities of the surrogacy process for you.

Take the Next Step Toward Your Shared Dream

When you are ready to explore your options, we are here to help.

Would you like to speak with someone who understands the unique nuances of posthumous surrogacy? Speak with a specialist about your specific situation.

Let’s Talk Surrogacy: Codi’s Story of Advocacy and Personalized Support

In this episode of Let’s Talk Surrogacy, Codi shares how she managed legal jargon, the benefits of local matching, and why self-advocacy in the delivery room is essential.

Becoming a surrogate is a life-changing decision that often begins with a personal calling to help another family experience the joy of parenthood.

Partnering with a “human-first” agency allows you to navigate the complexities of surrogacy with total confidence.

The full interview is available now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes releasing the first Tuesday of every month.

4 Key Insights from Codi’s Surrogacy Journey

Codi’s experience offers a look into the emotional and logistical realities of the process. Here are the most important takeaways from her conversation:

  • The Power of a Human-First Agency: While other agencies sent automated rejections, American Surrogacy provided a personal call that built immediate trust.
  • Navigating “Scary” Legal Language: A specialist helped Codi’s husband understand that intimidating contract language was simply standard legal protocol.
  • Choosing the Right Intended Parents: Codi chose a local couple to build a deeper relationship and ease the intended mother’s anxiety.
  • The Importance of Postpartum Self-Advocacy: Codi advocates for surrogates to demand clear, specific medical instructions for their own postpartum recovery.

Take Your Next Step Toward Becoming a Surrogate

If you’re answering a lifelong calling or just starting to explore your options, the right support system makes every step easier. Codi’s experience proves that while surrogacy requires resilience, the reward of helping a family grow is life-changing.

If you are interested in becoming a surrogate or getting started as an intended parent, fill out our simple form today.

For more real stories from surrogates and intended parents, follow us on Instagram @american_surrogacy.

Are Surrogacy Expenses Tax Deductible in 2026?

Direct surrogacy costs aren’t deductible, but IVF costs often are. Use these tax savings to help fund your surrogacy process.

Direct surrogacy tax deductions are restricted, but intended parents can often deduct IVF costs.

You can use these IVF tax write-offs to reduce your taxable income and redirect those recovered savings to help fund your surrogacy journey.

Reach out to a surrogacy specialist today to receive a cost estimate and discover how tax savings can help fund your surrogacy.

In this guide, we’ll explore the recent IRS rulings, identify which fertility expenses qualify for deductions, and show you how to maximize your budget while building your family.

Understanding the IRS Ruling: Are Surrogacy Expenses Tax Deductible?

No, direct surrogacy costs like agency fees and surrogate compensation are not tax deductible.

A recent IRS Letter Ruling has clarified the boundaries of the surrogacy tax deduction for intended parents.

While the IRS approves medical deductions for fertility procedures performed on the tax payer (in this case, the intended parents), it continues to deny deductions for costs tied directly to the surrogate’s medical care.

The legal distinction relies on the requirement that deductible medical expenses must “affect the structure or function” of the taxpayer’s own body.

Because a gestational carrier is a third party, her medical insurance, legal fees, and pregnancy-related care are currently considered non-deductible by the IRS, even if the surrogacy is medically necessary.

Learn more about IVF tax write-offs.

What IVF Costs Count as Tax Deductible?

To be deductible, costs must be incurred for treatments performed on the taxpayer, their spouse, or a dependent.

The following IVF-related costs generally qualify as tax-deductible medical expenses

  • Fertility medications and laboratory fees.
  • Procurement of donor eggs and sperm.
  • Medical procedures for egg retrieval and embryo creation.
  • Storage fees for embryos, when tied to immediate medical necessity.

How to Use IVF Deductions to Offset Surrogacy Costs

A tax deduction saves you money by lowering your taxable income, which indirectly reduces the total amount of tax you owe to the government.

Although surrogacy is ineligible for a direct tax deduction, the IVF portion of your journey remains a viable medical expense.

By strategically applying these deductible costs, you can reduce your overall taxable income and reallocate those saved funds toward other areas of your surrogacy journey.

Learn more about surrogacy costs.

Calculating Your IVF Tax Deduction

You can only subtract medical costs from your taxes after they exceed 7.5% of your total yearly income (your AGI).

Any money you spend on medical care below that amount doesn’t count for a deduction.

To calculate your potential tax savings, you must first determine which expenses are qualified and then apply the IRS threshold for medical deductions.

Example calculation:

  • Your Adjusted Gross Income: $100,000
  • 7.5% of that: 100,000 x 0.075 = $7,500
  • Your IVF Costs: $20,000

After you subtract the $7,500 threshold from your total IVF costs, you are left with a $12,500 tax deduction. This remaining amount is what you actually get to subtract from your taxable income to help fund your surrogacy.

Why You Should Consult a Tax Professional About IVF Tax Deductions for the 2025 Tax Year

IRS rules regarding reproductive health are nuanced and subject to change.

A knowledgeable advisor can help assess how expenses should be categorized, evaluate eligibility for applicable credits or deductions, and ensure compliance with current IRS rules.

This is especially important if you are considering requesting a private letter ruling, which requires precise factual framing, technical tax analysis, and careful documentation.

Professional guidance can help minimize risk while ensuring you take full advantage of any tax benefits that may be available based on your specific circumstances.

Have Questions About Surrogacy Costs? We’re Here to Help

Our specialists are here to provide the cost transparency and personalized guidance you need to turn your tax savings into a viable plan for parenthood.

Reach out to a surrogacy specialist today to get a clear breakdown of your costs and how to leverage your tax savings.

Flying with a Newborn after Surrogacy: What New Parents Need to Know

Ready to head home? Navigate flying with a newborn after surrogacy with our guide to airline rules, infant safety, and legal travel docs.

Holding your baby for the first time is a significant milestone, but it is quickly followed by the logistics of getting home.

This guide covers the practical steps for navigating your baby’s first flight.

Navigating air travel with a newborn and want guidance? Contact us today for expert advice from specialists who understand every step of the journey.

Is it Safe to Fly With a Newborn?

Yes, most airlines and pediatric professionals advise that healthy, full-term newborns can safely travel by air once they are seven to fourteen days old. This two-week milestone allows the baby’s body to stabilize after birth.

Consult your pediatrician to confirm your baby is healthy enough to fly. While flying is medically possible early on, many doctors recommend waiting until the two-month checkup when infants receive their first major vaccinations, especially during cold and flu season.

To minimize risk, parents should:

  • Use a stroller cover in terminals.
  • Wipe down all cabin surfaces with disinfectant.
  • Feed the baby during takeoff to help with ear pressure.

Choosing the Best Time to Fly With a Newborn

Choosing the right flight time helps you manage your baby’s sleep and feeding schedule. The goal is to align your travel with your newborn’s natural rhythms as much as possible, maximizing the chances of a calm, comfortable journey.

Daytime vs. Red-Eye Flights

The decision between a daytime and an overnight (red-eye) flight depends heavily on your comfort level and your baby’s emerging sleep patterns. Here’s a comparison of the two:

  • Red-Eye (Overnight) Flights: These can be highly beneficial if your baby has already established a long, predictable sleeping stretch. The cabin is typically darker, quieter, and generally less stimulating.
  • Daytime Flights: These may be easier for the parents to manage, as you are better rested and more alert. A mid-day flight (departing 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) can often avoid early morning airport crowds and late-night travel fatigue. Daylight also makes navigating security and the airport terminal simpler.

For babies under two months, shorter, direct flights are always preferable. A short-haul flight of two to four hours minimizes the disruption to their fragile routine and limits exposure time.

If a long-haul flight is unavoidable, book a layover that allows for a full stretch, diaper change, and feeding in a quiet family room.

Leveraging Sleep and Feeding Patterns

Successful travel with a newborn starts with anticipating their needs, especially hunger and fatigue. Plan to feed and change your baby right before boarding: a full, dry, comfortable infant is the best foundation for an easier flight.

Rather than sitting at the gate, take a gentle walk before boarding. The movement of the stroller or carrier and a change of scenery can help your baby settle intro a final pre-flight nap. 

Travel Essentials for Newborns: What to Pack

Preparation is your best defense against in-flight challenges. Having the right tools packed efficiently will make security and the flight itself much smoother.

The Newborn Travel Checklist

  • Diapers and wipes: Pack one diaper for every hour of travel, plus five to seven extra.
  • Clothing: Bring at least two zip-up outfits for the baby and a spare shirt for each parent to handle spills or blowouts.
  • Feeding and soothing: Include bottles, formula, burp cloths, and multiple pacifiers.
  • Health items: Keep a thermometer, nasal aspirator, and doctor-approved infant Tylenol in your carry-on.

Navigating TSA with Liquids and Gear

Dealing with security is often the most stressful part of flying with a baby, but knowing the rules helps streamline the process.

Navigating TSA with Formula and Breastmilk

Liquids for infants, such as formula and breast milk, are considered medically necessary by the TSA.

These items are exempt from the standard 3-1-1 liquids rule, meaning you can carry quantities greater than 3.4 ounces. You must inform the TSA officer of these items at the start of screening.

For the most efficient process, we recommend traveling with powdered formula and buying bottled water inside the terminal to minimize additional X-ray inspections.

Baby Wearing Through Security

Using a soft-structured baby carrier or a wrap is highly recommended. In many instances, you can wear your baby through the metal detector, which keeps your hands free for managing baggage and ensures your baby stays close and calm.

Feeding a Baby on a Plane: What to Know

Feeding your baby during critical flight moments is key to a comfortable and painless experience, primarily by managing the change in air pressure.

Managing Ear Pressure

The primary function of feeding during ascent and descent is to promote swallowing, which opens the Eustachian tubes and helps equalize the pressure in your baby’s middle ear. Here are some things you can do to aid the pressure:

  • Timing is Essential: Start feeding right before the plane pushes back for takeoff and again as the plane begins its final descent (usually 20–30 minutes before landing).
  • Sucking Comfort: If your baby is not hungry, a pacifier or even a clean finger for them to suck on will also activate the swallowing reflex.

If your baby is sleeping soundly during ascent or descent, you generally do not need to wake them solely for feeding. A baby sleeping peacefully is often coping well with the pressure change without assistance.

Bottle and Formula Preparation Logistics

Preparing bottles in a contained space requires planning to ensure hygiene and temperature. While flight attendants can often provide hot water to warm bottles or formula, traveling with a thermos of hot water is a more reliable approach.

This gives you control over the temperature and eliminates waiting time. To minimize the risk of spoilage and simplify TSA screening, we recommend traveling with powdered formula and bottled water rather than pre-mixed bottles.

Managing Stress and Anxiety During Baby’s First Flight

It’s completely normal to feel stressed when navigating air travel with a newborn, especially after the emotional intensity of the surrogacy journey. New parents need to take care of themselves, too.

Acknowledging the Emotional Transition

The trip home is the final, celebratory sprint of a long, emotional journey. It’s a transition period where your focus shifts entirely from the legal/logistical elements of surrogacy to the physical reality of new parenthood. Be kind to yourself as you manage this intense phase.

For many new parents, the anxiety stems from fear of judgment from other passengers or the lack of control in an enclosed space.

Remind yourself that you are doing your best, and your primary responsibility is to your child’s comfort, not the approval of strangers.

You have invested immense time, resources, and heart into this journey. This flight is merely a temporary logistical hurdle. Focus on the joy of holding your baby and the destination.

Practical Support Tips for Parents

To make the flight as comfortable as possible for everyone involved, consider implementing these strategies:

  • Tag-Team Parenting: If two parents are traveling, agree on a clear schedule for who handles which task (feeding, diaper changes, comforting). Take 30-minute shifts where one parent is completely “off” duty to rest, read, or simply stare out the window.
  • Pack Snacks for Yourself: Parent fatigue is real. Pack healthy snacks and water for yourself. Maintaining your energy is crucial for maintaining a calm environment for your baby.
  • Move Your Body: Stand up and gently sway in the galley when the seatbelt sign is off. The movement can often soothe a fussy newborn and helps relieve your own muscle tension.

Airline Policies on Flying With a Newborn

Every airline has different policies regarding age restrictions, ID requirements, and seating. To avoid last-minute stress, confirm your carrier’s rules well in advance of your flight. The typical requirements include:

  • Most major U.S. carriers permit infants as young as 7 days old, but for babies under 14 days, they typically require a doctor’s note confirming fitness to fly.
  • For domestic U.S. flights, a “lap infant” (a baby who flies on a parent’s lap and does not require a ticket) needs official documentation to confirm they are under two years old. A simple copy of the birth certificate is almost always sufficient.

Choosing Between a Lap Infant or Ticketed Seat

When booking your flight, you must decide how your baby will be seated. Most major U.S. carriers permit infants as young as seven days to fly as a “lap infant” for free or a small tax fee.

For increased safety, pediatric experts recommend purchasing a ticketed seat and using an FAA-approved car seat.

  • Lap Infant: Cost-effective; requires a “boarding verification document” from the airline.
  • Ticketed Seat: Provides a familiar, safe space and protects the baby during turbulence.
  • Gate Checking: Strollers and car seats can typically be checked at the gate for no additional charge.

What Documents Do You Need to Fly With a Newborn?

You must have specific legal documents to pass through security and check-in without delays. Keep these three items in your carry-on:

  • Certified Birth Certificate: Listing the intended parents as the legal parents.
  • Pre-Birth or Post-Birth Order (PBO): A court order validating your legal relationship to the child, which is vital if officials are unfamiliar with surrogacy.
  • Parental ID: Government-issued photo identification that matches the names on the baby’s documentation.

American Surrogacy works with surrogacy law attorneys to ensure your PBO is filed correctly and your names are placed on the original birth certificate. This preparation is designed to get you home as quickly as possible.

How American Surrogacy Supports You After Birth

Navigating air travel with a newborn, especially as a new parent through surrogacy, requires not just practical tips but emotional reassurance and trusted guidance from experts who understand every step of the parenting journey.

Fill out our form if you have questions about the legal documentation required for your trip home to get free information today.

What Pelvic Rest During Pregnancy Means for Surrogates

Pelvic rest is a protective step to safeguard your health and the baby’s. Learn what to expect and how your specialist supports you.

Pelvic rest is a temporary, protective step your medical team may recommend to safeguard your health and the health of the intended parents’ baby.

Following these clinical instructions provides the best possible environment for the intended parents’ baby to thrive while giving you peace of mind.

Ready to start the surrogacy process? Fill out our form to get free information and connect with a surrogacy specialist today.

What Does it Mean to Be on Pelvic Rest During Your Surrogate Pregnancy?

The term pelvic rest is a clinical directive from your doctor, usually a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) or your Obstetrician (OB), that restricts activities that cause stimulation or increased blood flow to the pelvic area.

Unlike full bed rest, which requires you to limit most physical activity, pelvic rest is specific. It focuses on limiting anything that could stimulate the cervix or uterus. This restriction is almost always temporary and is considered a proactive measure.

Surrogates typically encounter these restrictions during the embryo transfer phase or if responsive medical needs arise later in the pregnancy. Common restrictions include:

  • Sexual intercourse or vaginal penetration
  • Inserting anything into the vagina (including tampons, douches, or menstrual cups)
  • Orgasms, which cause uterine contractions
  • Sometimes, specific types of exercise or heavy lifting

This medical guidance is always given with the goal of protecting the pregnancy. Your medical team will provide clear, specific instructions tailored to your unique situation.

Proactive vs. Responsive Pelvic Rest

If your doctor advises you to be on pelvic rest, it is not a sign of failure or that you have done anything wrong. It is simply a precaution used to reduce the risk of complications.

The reasons a surrogate would be placed on pelvic rest generally fall into two categories: proactive precautions related to the medical process and responsive measures due to a potential complication during the pregnancy.

  • Proactive Pelvic Rest: This is a standard part of the surrogacy medication timeline. REs prescribe rest 2–3 weeks before and immediately following an embryo transfer to ensure optimal implantation conditions.
  • Responsive Pelvic Rest: This occurs later in the pregnancy if an OB identifies specific conditions. Common triggers include vaginal spotting, placenta previa (where the placenta covers the cervix), or signs of a shortened cervix that could lead to preterm labor.

Who Decides Pelvic Rest – and Who Supports You?

When you are a surrogate, many individuals are involved in your medical and contractual well-being, but the lines of authority for medical decisions are clear.

The Role of the Medical Clinic

Your Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) and, later, your OB/GYN are the only parties who will advise or mandate pelvic rest. You should always follow your clinic’s recommendations above all else. They are the medical professionals guiding the pregnancy. Here’s how they support you:

  • The RE manages the protocol leading up to and immediately after the embryo transfer.
  • The OB takes over once the pregnancy is confirmed and manages your health for the remainder of the pregnancy.

The Role of the Surrogacy Contract

While the medical decision is always the doctor’s, your surrogacy contract is the document that legally binds you to following that medical guidance.

American Surrogacy works with reputable attorneys to draft contracts that protect all parties. The contract will not typically require pelvic rest during the entire pregnancy but will include wording about following the clinic’s guidance, which is legally enforceable.

The Role of Your Surrogacy Specialist

Your specialist at American Surrogacy serves as your medical advocate and emotional support system.

If you receive a pelvic rest order, your specialist can help you clarify the doctor’s instructions, communicate the news to the intended parents, and ensure everyone is aligned. This means we will:

  • Act as the primary communicator between you and the intended parents (IPs), ensuring the IPs receive timely, sensitive updates without overwhelming you.
  • Clarify medical terminology and logistics, helping you understand exactlywhat restrictions are in place so you can follow them confidently.
  • Confirm contractual obligations are being met, especially concerning expense reimbursement if the rest order impacts your work or childcare needs.
  • Provide emotional support to help manage any anxiety or frustration that comes with physical limitations.

What’s Not Allowed on Pelvic Rest During Pregnancy – and Why It Matters

Pelvic rest is a focused restriction meant to keep the uterus and cervix calm. The restrictions are in place to reduce the risk of irritation, infection, or uterine contractions. The restrictions typically include:

  • No Sexual Intercourse: The primary goal is to prevent penetration and the associated risk of infection or cervical irritation.
  • No Orgasms: Orgasms cause involuntary contractions of the uterus, which can irritate the cervix or, in a high-risk situation, potentially trigger premature labor.
  • No Vaginal Insertion: This includes tampons, or any medical exam that is not strictly necessary and approved by your doctor.

How Pelvic Rest differs from Full Bed Rest

Full bed rest is a much more intensive and less common restriction that limits most activities, requiring you to remain in your bed for most of the day.

Pelvic rest is often a partial restriction, meaning you can typically continue light activities, work (if not physically demanding), and carry out daily tasks.

Unless your doctor specifically restricts it, you may still be able to:

  • Walk and perform light chores
  • Engage in non-strenuous, non-pelvic exercises (like arm stretches)
  • Go to work or school
  • Drive and run errands

Generally, high-impact activities, heavy weightlifting, or exercises that significantly jar the pelvis are restricted. Always confirm with your medical provider what activities are safe.

When Can You Have Sex While Being a Surrogate? Intimacy During Surrogacy

Concerns about intimacy are completely natural for a surrogate and her partner. These questions often center around three stages: before embryo transfer, immediately after transfer, and during the confirmed pregnancy.

Guidelines around intimacy will be driven by the RE’s specific protocol, and this protocol will be incorporated into your surrogacy contract.

When Should My Partner and I Stop Having Sex Before the Embryo Transfer?

The general recommendation is to abstain from sexual activity in the weeks leading up to the embryo transfer. The main reason is to eliminate any risk of infection or potential uterine irritation during the preparation phase.

The specific date you stop having sex before the embryo transfer will depend on your clinic and the contract, but it is typically advised to stop sexual activity approximately 2–3 weeks before the scheduled transfer or from the start of the preparation medications.

The RE is priming your body for the best chance of pregnancy, and following this advice ensures that your uterus is in the optimal condition.

When Can You Have Sex After the Embryo Transfer?

This is a time of high anticipation, and the rule is simple: be on pelvic rest until otherwise advised by the clinic. You will likely be instructed to remain on pelvic rest until the clinic confirms a positive pregnancy test, or sometimes until they release you to your OB/GYN (around 8–10 weeks).

Waiting until confirmation ensures that any potential irritation or contractions that sexual activity can cause do not interfere with the embryo’s ability to successfully implant and grow.

Sex During Confirmed Pregnancy

Once the RE releases you to your OB, the guidelines typically follow those of any healthy, low-risk pregnancy. If the pregnancy is uncomplicated, most doctors lift the pelvic rest restriction after the first few weeks, allowing you to return to normal intimacy.

However, if your OB identifies any of the responsive reasons mentioned above (like spotting or placenta previa), they will re-issue the pelvic rest order. The golden rule is always to communicate with and follow your OB’s advice throughout the medical process.

How Pelvic Rest Can Affect a Surrogate’s Emotional Wellbeing

Physical restrictions can impact your emotional health, and it is completely normal to feel frustrated, isolated, or anxious if you are placed on pelvic rest.

  • Normalize Emotional Responses: Whether you are restricted for a few days after the transfer or a few weeks later in the pregnancy, it is natural to feel limitations. You may feel bored, miss your regular routine, or feel pressure to be perfectly still.
  • Stay Engaged: Although your body is resting, your mind does not have to be. Use this time to read, catch up on movies, listen to podcasts, or engage in non-physical hobbies. Staying mentally active helps manage feelings of confinement.
  • Focus on the Purpose: Remind yourself that this limitation is a direct sign of your commitment and care for the intended parents and their baby. It is a temporary sacrifice for an eternal gift.
  • Our Support: Your specialist understands the emotional complexity of these limitations. We are here to check in, listen, and connect you with resources if you feel your emotional health is struggling.

Navigating Pelvic Rest With a Partner or Spouse

When a surrogate is placed on pelvic rest, it impacts the entire household, especially the spouse or partner.

Physical restrictions on intimacy are a temporary sacrifice to help a family grow. Maintaining a strong connection with your spouse or partner during this time requires clear communication and a reframing of intimacy.

Partners can support the journey by taking over strenuous household tasks or childcare duties involving lifting.

To maintain closeness without physical stimulation, many surrogates focus on “non-pelvic” intimacy, such as shared hobbies, movies, or focused conversation.

If physical limitations cause friction at home, your agency specialist can provide resources to help you and your partner navigate this stage as a team.

How Pelvic Rest Fits into the Bigger Picture of a Healthy Surrogacy

Pelvic rest is not a contractual red flag or a sign that the entire surrogacy is at risk. It is a standard medical precaution that reinforces the protective nature of your journey.

Legal and Contractual Clarity

Your surrogacy contract will detail how lost wages or unexpected costs are handled. If a doctor’s order for pelvic rest causes you to miss work, the contract ensures you are appropriately reimbursed for your time, just as you would be for any other medical inconvenience.

The contract, the medical guidance, and the agency support all work toward the single shared goal: a safe, healthy pregnancy and a successful delivery. When you are on pelvic rest, everyone involved is doing their part to support that goal.

Get Support from Surrogacy Specialists

Choosing to be a surrogate is an incredible act of compassion, and it deserves an agency partner that prioritizes your health, support, and clarity at every turn.

When medical instructions like pelvic rest come up, you deserve to have an expert who can advocate for you, communicate with the intended parents, and ensure your contract protections are honored.

If you have questions about the surrogacy journey, how our specialists handle medical protocols, or what support is available to you, fill out our contact form to get free information.

Understanding Multiple Miscarriages with Normal Embryos: The Hidden Factors IVF Can’t Fix

Heartbreak after multiple miscarriages with normal embryos? Understand the hidden uterine and immune factors, and find a clear path forward with surrogacy.

Miscarriage with a normal embryo is devastating, but it may point to underlying factors IVF can’t address.

By understanding these issues, you can move away from repeated disappointment and find success with a strategic option like gestational surrogacy.

Are you ready to get closer to your path to parenthood? Connect with a specialist at American Surrogacy today to explore a proven path forward.

The Heartbreak of Hope: Experiencing Miscarriages with Genetically Tested Embryos

The journey to parenthood after facing recurrent pregnancy loss is profoundly difficult. After investing so much in IVF and creating an embryo, receiving news of another miscarriage feels devastating and deeply confusing.

This experience is not a failure on your part, but a sign that the focus needs to shift.

You have faced setbacks beyond your control, but by choosing surrogacy, you are giving your embryos the best opportunity.

Normal Embryos Don’t Guarantee a Successful Pregnancy

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT-A) is an invaluable diagnostic tool in modern IVF. It allows your medical team to check an embryo’s chromosome count before transfer.

An embryo confirmed as “euploid” (or chromosomally normal) has the correct number of chromosomes and is considered the highest quality embryo available.

However, PGT-A does not guarantee pregnancy. A chromosomally normal embryo does not override underlying systemic or uterine health issues within the intended mother’s body.

Hidden Causes of IVF Miscarriages with Normal Embryos: Uterine, Hormonal, and Immune Factors

Recurrent implantation failure or miscarriage with a normal embryo points toward factors that cannot be solved by simply creating another embryo.

These issues are often subtle, requiring specific diagnostic testing and sometimes a change in approach.

Uterine Environment Factors

The endometrium, the lining of the uterus, must be receptive and healthy. Issues in this area can prevent implantation or lead to early loss:

  • Endometrial Thickness and Structure: A lining that is too thin, uneven, or structurally abnormal may fail to properly support the embryo. Your doctor may refer to this as a lack of uterine receptivity.
  • Endometriosis and Adenomyosis: These common, inflammatory conditions can create a hostile environment that makes implantation and sustained pregnancy extremely difficult.
  • Chronic Endometritis (CE): This is a persistent, non-symptomatic inflammation of the endometrial lining, often caused by an underlying bacterial infection.
  • Structural Abnormalities: Unidentified polyps, fibroids, or scar tissue (Asherman’s Syndrome) can obstruct implantation or compromise the blood supply necessary for the placenta’s development.

Learn more about uterine health issues that may be making pregnancy impossible.

Autoimmune or Chronic Health Factors

In some cases, the body’s immune system is the barrier. The body may treat the embryo as a foreign object and reject it.

Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions that are not properly managed can create a highly inflamed environment in the body that prevents a pregnancy from starting or growing. These include:

  • Lupus: A chronic autoimmune disease that can increase the risk of blood clotting and inflammation, compromising the blood flow needed for the placenta.
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS): While generally not a direct barrier to conception, severe or active MS can indicate systemic inflammation that impacts the immune environment needed for implantation.
  • Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: An autoimmune thyroid condition often linked to recurrent miscarriage, as unmanaged thyroid hormones are essential for successful early pregnancy development.
  • PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): While primarily hormonal, it often involves chronic, low-grade inflammation that can negatively affect uterine receptivity and embryo implantation.
  • Natural Killer (NK) Cells: While complex and often debated, some specialists believe an overactive presence of these immune cells in the uterus may attack the implanting embryo, treating it as a foreign object.

Learn more about chronic health conditions that may make pregnancy difficult or unsafe.

Hormonal and Timing Factors

Issues with hormones and timing are another barrier to successful implantation.

The uterine lining has a very narrow “window of implantation”, meaning the timing of the embryo transfer must be exact, even with standard hormone medication.

 Specialized tests like the Endometrial Receptivity Assay (ERA) help pinpoint this timing, but repeated failure suggests the window is consistently missed or compromised.

Additionally, a lack of sufficient natural progesterone during the early weeks, known as luteal phase support, can still compromise the lining’s ability to sustain the pregnancy, leading to loss

When to Consider Surrogacy After Multiple Miscarriages with Test Embryos

This decision should be made in consultation with your reproductive endocrinologist.

However, clear emotional and medical triggers often indicate surrogacy is the next strategic step:

  • Specific medical barriers. You have received a confirmed diagnosis that your medical team identifies as the primary cause of recurrent loss.
  • Your mental health has taken a toll. Surrogacy offers a way to continue the family-building process without the constant physical and emotional strain of repeated failures.
  • The cumulative cost of repeated IVF cycles, specialized testing, and experimental treatments may become unsustainable. Surrogacy provides a more predictable investment toward achieving your family goal.
  • You have remaining embryos. If you have frozen PGT-tested embryos, using them with a gestational carrier gives them the highest possible chance.

Surrogacy is not a last resort; it is a strategic, medically supported path to success when evidence points to the uterine environment as the barrier.

How Surrogacy Bypasses Uterine Factors That IVF Can’t Solve

When you choose American Surrogacy, we build your journey on the foundation of a thoroughly vetted and medically cleared gestational carrier.

This process is designed to eliminate the gamble of an unpredictable uterine environment and maximize the possibility of a healthy pregnancy.

Our rigorous, multi-step screening ensures you start your journey with confidence:

  • Agency Review: We start with an in-depth review of her full medical history and social background.
  • Clinic Review: Your fertility clinic reviews her past medical records, focusing on previous pregnancies and deliveries, to confirm a history of successful, healthy births.
  • Medical Clearance and Physical Exam: She undergoes a comprehensive physical examination and medical workup at your fertility clinic to confirm her uterus is optimally receptive and structurally sound for a successful transfer and pregnancy.

Other essential clearances we ensure include:

  • Psychological Readiness: Confirming she is emotionally and mentally prepared for the journey and understands the unique relationship with you.

By utilizing a gestational carrier who has been carefully and successfully screened through these multiple layers of review, you replace anxiety with certainty, knowing your precious embryo is in the safest possible environment.

Emotional Healing and Moving Forward

The grief, fatigue, and profound sense of failure that accompany recurrent loss are entirely understandable. Even when you know the miscarriage was not your fault, the emotional burden is real.

Surrogacy offers a crucial opportunity for psychological recovery and consciously moving forward with your family-building journey.

Gaining Control: Making an Intentional Choice for Family

Instead of dwelling on past disappointments, surrogacy allows you to pivot your focus on creating your family.

  • Move from Strain to Preparation: Surrogacy allows you to move past the physical burden and psychological toll of recurrent IVF failure. You can channel the energy previously spent on treatments into preparing for the baby’s arrival.
  • Taking Control: Instead of passively waiting for a diagnostic test or an experimental treatment, you are actively choosing the most successful, medically supported path available to you.
  • A Supported Journey: At American Surrogacy, we provide comprehensive support so you can focus on your path to parenthood.

What to Expect When Exploring Surrogacy as a Next Step

The idea of starting the surrogacy process can feel overwhelming, but our agency is here to simplify every step. We offer a clear, efficient path designed to minimize stress and maximize success:

Step 1: Reach Out to a Specialist

Your first step is connecting with a specialist at American Surrogacy. We listen to your unique story, understand your medical history, and help you determine if our program is the right fit.

Step 2: Match with a Surrogate

Based on your preferences, we present you with profiles of pre-screened, medically cleared gestational carriers. Our focused process often leads to quick matches.

Step 3: Complete Legal Contracts

Attorneys work together to create comprehensive, protective legal agreements that establish your parentage.

Step 4: Embryo Transfer

Your reproductive endocrinologist facilitates the transfer of your PGT-tested embryo to the gestational carrier. We support you throughout the entire medical process.

Step 5: Pregnancy and Birth

You remain closely involved throughout the pregnancy, preparing for the day you welcome your child at the hospital.

Ready to Take the Next Step? Explore Surrogacy with Compassion and Clarity

You have faced setbacks beyond your control, but by choosing the strategic path of surrogacy, you are giving your embryos the best opportunity for success.

Surrogacy is not a detour; it is a supported, deliberate choice made by loving parents who refuse to give up on their family dream.

Even with multiple miscarriages, you can still start or grow your family. Contact us to learn how we can support you on your path to parenthood.