If you’ve had gestational diabetes in the past, you may be concerned that it automatically disqualifies you from becoming a surrogate. However, in many cases, your history simply serves as a helpful roadmap for ensuring a safe and healthy journey for everyone involved.
By understanding how your body processed a previous pregnancy, our medical team can create a proactive care plan that keeps both you and the baby safe. This allows you to focus on the incredible experience of carrying a child for someone else.
Below, we’ll cover how we evaluate gestational diabetes, the differences between gestational and chronic diabetes and what steps we take to support your health. If you’re ready to see if you qualify, fill out our contact form today.
Can You Be a Surrogate With a History of Gestational Diabetes?
Yes, in many cases, you can be a surrogate if you had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy. We don’t view a past diagnosis as a reason to turn you away; instead, we view it as a helpful roadmap. It tells us and your medical team how your body handles the unique hormonal demands of pregnancy.
The primary factor our surrogacy specialists look for is that the condition was well-managed and resolved immediately after your previous delivery. If you had a healthy birth and your blood sugar levels returned to normal shortly after, you may qualify to become a surrogate.
Can a Type 1 Diabetic Be a Surrogate?
If you have Type 1 diabetes, you already know the discipline it takes to manage your health daily. Because of the physical strain that a gestational pregnancy places on the body, it is generally not possible to be a surrogate with this condition.
The safety of our surrogates is our absolute priority. Pregnancy causes massive shifts in insulin demand, which can lead to "brittle" or volatile blood sugar levels in Type 1 diabetics. We value your long-term wellness and don’t want to put you in a position where your health could be compromised.
Can You Be a Surrogate With Type 2 Diabetes?
Because Type 2 is a chronic condition that exists outside of pregnancy, it presents a more consistent strain on your cardiovascular and metabolic systems.
Whether or not you can move forward depends on several key factors:
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A1C Levels: Most fertility clinics require an A1C level below a certain threshold (typically 6.0–6.5) to ensure your blood sugar is consistently stable.
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Medication Compatibility: Some medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes are not recommended during a gestational pregnancy.
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Risk of Macrosomia: Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to the baby growing too large (macrosomia), which increases the likelihood of a C-section and a more difficult recovery for you.
If your Type 2 diabetes is currently uncontrolled, we encourage you to work with your primary care physician to stabilize your health. While you may not qualify today, you could in the future.
Why Past Gestational Diabetes Matters in Surrogacy
Just because you had gestational diabetes in the past doesn't mean you are certain to have it again. This condition is a common complication, affecting between 5% and 9% of pregnancies in the U.S. every year. In many cases, it is manageable or even preventable with the right care.
So, why does it matter during the screening process? Gestational diabetes doesn’t disqualify you from being a surrogate, but it does signal to the medical team that your body may process glucose differently during pregnancy. We evaluate your history to ensure:
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A Healthy Outcome: We want to minimize the risk of preeclampsia or high birth weights that could lead to delivery complications.
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A Prepared Team: By knowing your history, your medical team can implement monitoring early on rather than waiting for a standard 28-week test.
Requirements to Be a Surrogate After Gestational Diabetes
To become a surrogate, you must meet several foundational requirements. These standards exist to ensure you are physically and emotionally prepared for the rigors of the journey.
How Is Gestational Diabetes Evaluated During Surrogate Screening?
Are you worried that gestational diabetes will affect surrogate approval? Our screening process is designed to be supportive. We aren’t looking for reasons to disqualify you; rather, we want to understand your overall health so we can provide the best possible care.
The evaluation involves a few key steps:
Your surrogacy specialist will provide you will a form to fill out. This comprehensive document helps us understand your pregnancy experiences, lifestyle and medical background. You will need a recommendation from your OB-GYN to become a surrogate. We’ll also request to review your medical records so we can learn more about your previous healthy deliveries. You’ll meet with a licensed mental health professional to discuss the emotional aspects of the surrogacy process and confirm you feel ready. You will have an in-person appointment at the intended parents’ fertility clinic to ensure your body is ready for the embryo transfer. This visit may include lab work, tests and a physical exam.
We encourage you to be open and honest about your gestational diabetes experiences during the screening process. This transparency builds a foundation of trust with your specialist and allows us to ensure you receive the care you deserve.
Managing Gestational Diabetes During a Surrogate Pregnancy
If gestational diabetes does develop during your surrogacy journey, you won't be navigating it alone. The goal is to keep your blood sugar stable through a combination of intentional nutrition, gentle movement and consistent monitoring.
One of the most rewarding parts of working with an agency like American Surrogacy is the support system you’ll have. Intended parents are often your biggest cheerleaders during this time. They may offer to help with healthy meal delivery services or simply provide emotional encouragement as you navigate your appointments.
Your medical team will guide you on how to:
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Monitor Daily: Tracking your levels multiple times a day provides the data needed to keep you feeling your best.
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Adjust Nutrition: Small changes, like balancing carbohydrates with high-quality proteins, can make a massive difference.
You’ll work closely with your OB-GYN to ensure your care plan is working exactly as it should. If your doctor determines that additional support — like insulin — is the best way to protect your health, they will help you start it safely.
Working With an Agency After Gestational Diabetes
As long as you meet the standard requirements, you can be a surrogate with a history of gestational diabetes.
Finding the right agency means finding an advocate who understands the nuances of your health. At American Surrogacy, we help you match with supportive intended parents, coordinate with fertility clinics and ensure legal and financial protections are in place.
Are you ready to see if you qualify? Fill out our form today to get free information or call 1-800-875-2229 speak with a surrogacy specialist.