If you want to become a gestational carrier, any health concern can feel like a major roadblock. You may worry that an HPV diagnosis could prevent you from carrying a baby for another family. However, many women who have or have had an HPV infection still qualify for this life-changing journey.
Below, we’ll explain how different strains of HPV are handled during medical screening, the difference between active and cleared cases and how we protect both you and the baby throughout pregnancy. If you want to learn more about the surrogacy process or have questions about being a surrogate with HPV, you can fill out our contact form or call 1-800-875-2229.
Can I Be a Surrogate if I Have HPV?
Even if you’ve had HPV in the past or currently have it, you may still qualify to be a gestational carrier. Most cases of the virus will not affect your ability to get pregnant via embryo transfer, nor will they impact the baby’s development. It is also exceptionally rare for the virus to be transmitted to a baby during delivery.
When determining whether you can be a surrogate with HPV, medical professionals generally look at:
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Cleared or Past Infections: If you had an abnormal Pap smear in the past but your results have since returned to normal, you can usually still move forward.
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Asymptomatic Active Cases: Some women have an active form of the virus without realizing it. In most situations, the body clears the virus on its own within two years. If your recent screenings show no significant cellular changes, you are likely still a strong candidate.
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Symptomatic HPV: If you are experiencing an active outbreak of genital warts, you will need to be evaluated and treated by your healthcare provider. While HPV doesn’t automatically disqualify you from surrogacy, active symptoms may require a specific delivery plan to reduce risk of exposure.
Surrogate Requirements: Who Typically Qualifies
All our surrogates must meet the following requirements. These standards exist to ensure a healthy baseline for the journey ahead.
Age 21-40 Body mass index of 19-32 No smoking or illicit drug use At least one successful pregnancy and currently raising a child No more than three cesarean births or five vaginal births At least six months past your last vaginal birth or one year since a C-section birth No major pregnancy complications Ability to travel to appointments No felony convictions Must be off antidepressants before you begin embryo transfer medications
How Your HPV Status Is Evaluated During Screening
Our screening process is designed to ensure you’re physically and emotionally prepared to carry a baby for another family. We don’t look for reasons to "disqualify" you; we look for ways to ensure a safe and successful journey for everyone involved.
The process typically follows these steps:
Our team will review your OB-GYN records to look for a history of consistent care and healthy Pap smears. This helps us confirm you meet the baseline health standards. Once you’re matched with intended parents, your medical records are sent to their chosen fertility clinic for review. You will then attend an in-person appointment at the clinic, which includes bloodwork, a physical exam and any additional testing needed to ensure your body is ready for medication and transfer.
High-Risk vs. Low-Risk Strains: What Surrogates Should Know
It is important to distinguish between low-risk and high-risk strains. Most women who have had HPV can proceed, but the specific strain determines how closely a doctor will monitor your health throughout the journey.
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Low-Risk HPV: These strains may cause genital warts that require monitoring, but they are not linked to cancer.
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High-Risk HPV: These strains are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer. Testing positive for a high-risk strain does not mean you have cancer, but it does mean your doctor will require closer cervical monitoring through more frequent Pap smears or colposcopies.
If high-risk HPV has caused abnormal cell changes (dysplasia), you may need to complete treatment and wait for a period of healing before proceeding with gestational surrogacy. This waiting period is meant to protect your health and ensure your cervix is strong enough to carry a pregnancy to term.
Will HPV Affect Pregnancy or Delivery?
HPV does not cross the placenta, meaning it will not affect the baby’s development in the womb.
If you have high-risk HPV, your OB-GYN will simply monitor your cervical health more closely. If you have low-risk HPV that causes genital warts, your doctor will watch them to ensure they don’t grow to a size that could cause complications.
Transmission of HPV to a baby during birth is incredibly rare. Most surrogates with HPV can have a standard vaginal delivery. However, if there is an active breakout of genital warts at the time of labor, a doctor may recommend a C-section as a protective measure to ensure the virus is not transmitted to the baby.
If you are eager to help a family but have a history of HPV, taking these proactive steps can help you prepare for the road ahead: Step 1: Consult your OB-GYN. Discuss your surrogacy goals with your doctor. They can provide a summary of your health that confirms you are a good candidate for pregnancy and that your current status is stable. Step 2: Collect your medical records. Having your last three years of Pap smear results and any pathology reports ready will significantly speed up the screening process. Step 3: Stay current on screenings. If your provider has recommended repeat testing or monitoring, make sure you complete those appointments. Staying up to date on screenings shows that your health is stable and that you take medical guidance seriously. If you have an active case that requires treatment, such as a procedure to remove abnormal cells, you will likely need to wait three to six months before proceeding with an embryo transfer. This waiting period is a necessary step to ensure your body is fully healed and ready for the physical demands of a surrogacy pregnancy.What to Do Next if You’re HPV Positive and Want to Be a Surrogate
How American Surrogacy Supports You Through Screening
We know that navigating medical requirements can feel overwhelming. While certain untreated or chronic infections may disqualify a candidate, HPV is a common reality for many healthy women. We’ll review your individual medical history and help you understand exactly how your diagnosis may impact eligibility — if at all.
While final approval depends on a full medical review, you can always count on straightforward answers and compassionate support from our surrogacy team. If you’re considering this journey and want clear information about becoming a surrogate with HPV, contact one of our specialists today.