Surrogate requirements are designed to protect your health, the intended parents and the baby throughout the surrogacy process. While certain medical conditions, pregnancy complications or lifestyle factors may disqualify you, others may only temporarily affect your eligibility.
If you're unsure whether your health history, medications or previous pregnancies meet our requirements, American Surrogacy can help you understand where you stand.
Fill out our online contact form to discuss your individual circumstances with a specialist and find out whether you may qualify now or in the future.
Requirements All Surrogates Must Meet
Before becoming a surrogate, you'll need to meet certain health, pregnancy history and lifestyle requirements. These guidelines help protect your well-being and ensure you're prepared for the responsibilities of carrying a baby for another family.
Meeting these basic requirements is a great starting point, but it doesn't automatically mean you're approved to become a surrogate. Our screening process takes a closer look at your medical history, psychological readiness and other factors to determine whether moving forward is appropriate.
Health Conditions and Requirements That Can Disqualify You From Being a Surrogate
Your medical history plays a major role in determining whether you can safely carry a pregnancy for another family. Certain health conditions and previous pregnancy complications can increase the risks of surrogacy, making it necessary to carefully review your eligibility.
Some medical factors that can disqualify you from becoming a surrogate include:
- No Previous Pregnancies: You must have successfully carried at least one pregnancy to term without major complications. This helps fertility specialists understand how your body responds to pregnancy and childbirth.
- History of Preeclampsia or Uterine Rupture: These serious pregnancy complications can increase the risks associated with carrying another baby.
- Three or More C-Sections: Multiple cesarean deliveries can increase the risk of uterine scarring, placental complications and other pregnancy-related concerns.
- HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C: These infections can present additional medical considerations and are disqualifying under our program requirements.
- Certain Psychiatric Conditions: Conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder requiring antipsychotic medication may prevent you from qualifying due to concerns about your mental health and well-being during pregnancy.
Health Situations That Need Individual Review
Having a medical diagnosis doesn't always mean you can't become a surrogate. Some conditions require a closer look at your symptoms, treatment history and previous pregnancies before determining whether another pregnancy would be appropriate. These include:
- Depression or Anxiety: Your eligibility may depend on the severity of your symptoms, treatment history, current medications and emotional stability.
- HPV or Herpes: A history of these infections doesn't automatically disqualify you. Your current health, test results and any active symptoms will need to be reviewed.
- PCOS or Endometriosis: These conditions may affect eligibility depending on their severity, treatment and impact on your reproductive health.
- Gestational Diabetes: A previous diagnosis may require additional review, particularly if you needed medication or experienced other pregnancy complications.
- Thyroid Disorders: Well-managed thyroid conditions may be acceptable when hormone levels are stable and appropriately monitored.
- Autoimmune Conditions: Eligibility depends on the specific condition, its severity and whether treatment or symptoms could affect pregnancy.
- Previous Miscarriages: One or more miscarriages won't necessarily prevent you from qualifying, especially if you've also had a successful, uncomplicated pregnancy.
Our specialists can help you understand which parts of your medical history may need additional evaluation before moving forward.
Health Conditions That May Be Treatable or Resolved Before Reapplying
Some health concerns may temporarily prevent you from qualifying, but that doesn't always mean surrogacy is off the table. Depending on the condition, you may be eligible for reconsideration after treatment, recovery or meeting specific health requirements. Some health conditions that may only temporarily affect your eligibility include:
- Syphilis, Gonorrhea or Chlamydia: Active infections generally require treatment and appropriate follow-up testing before you can be reconsidered.
- Active Cytomegalovirus (CMV): An active CMV infection may delay eligibility until it has resolved and medical testing confirms it's appropriate to proceed.
- BMI Outside the Qualifying Range: Our BMI requirements generally range from 19–35. If you're outside this range, you may be able to reapply once you meet the requirement.
- Hepatitis A: This infection typically resolves with time. Once you've recovered and your doctor confirms your liver health has returned to normal, your eligibility may be reassessed.
Even after a condition has been treated or resolved, you'll still need to meet our remaining requirements and receive the appropriate medical clearance before beginning a surrogacy journey.
Lifestyle Factors That Can Disqualify You From Being a Surrogate
Beyond your medical history, your lifestyle and home environment also play a role in determining whether you qualify. These requirements help ensure you have the stability, support and resources needed for a healthy surrogacy journey.
- Felony Convictions: A felony conviction can prevent you from qualifying. Background checks help us evaluate whether your home environment meets our safety requirements.
- Smoking or Vaping: Active use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes or other nicotine products disqualifies you due to the increased risks of pregnancy complications.
- Substance Abuse: Active drug use or substance abuse can affect your eligibility because of the potential risks to your health and the baby's development.
- Financial Instability: You'll need to demonstrate that you can meet your family's basic financial needs without relying on surrogacy compensation. This helps ensure you're making the decision voluntarily rather than out of financial pressure.
- Lack of a Reliable Support Person: Having someone you can depend on for emotional and practical support is essential. A trusted partner, family member or friend can help with appointments, childcare and other responsibilities throughout your journey.
These requirements are designed to protect your well-being and help you feel supported throughout the process. Our specialists can review your individual circumstances and help you understand whether you meet our qualifications.
Psychological Eligibility Requirements for Becoming a Surrogate
Your emotional well-being is just as important as your physical health when becoming a surrogate. Having a history of mental health challenges or receiving treatment doesn't automatically mean you're ineligible. During your psychological evaluation, a licensed mental health professional will consider several factors, including:
- Mental Health History: Any previous diagnoses, symptoms or treatment you've received.
- Severity and Timing: How significantly your symptoms affected you and how recently they occurred.
- Current Emotional Well-Being: How you're managing everyday stress, your support system and whether previous concerns have been successfully treated or resolved.
- Readiness for Surrogacy: Your understanding of the process and whether you're emotionally prepared for the responsibilities involved.
This evaluation helps determine whether moving forward with surrogacy is appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Bipolar Disorder Is a Disqualifier for Surrogacy
A history of bipolar disorder disqualifies you from becoming a surrogate under American Surrogacy's requirements, which are informed by guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
Women with bipolar disorder face an increased risk of serious mental health complications after childbirth, including postpartum psychosis and severe mood episodes. A 2016 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that 17% of women with bipolar disorder experienced a severe postpartum episode.
Pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring significant hormonal and emotional changes. Our requirement is intended to protect your mental health and reduce the risk of serious complications during and after a surrogacy pregnancy.
Can You Be a Surrogate if You Take Antidepressants or Anxiety Medication?
If you're currently taking prescription medication for depression or anxiety, you'll generally need to be safely off that medication for a specified period before qualifying as a surrogate with American Surrogacy.
However, your mental health should always come first. Never stop taking prescribed medication on your own to meet surrogacy requirements. Instead, speak with your prescribing doctor about whether discontinuing your medication is medically appropriate.
If your doctor determines that it's safe, they can help you gradually reduce your medication and monitor your well-being throughout the process. Once you've been off the medication for the required period and your mental health remains stable, you may be eligible for reconsideration.
How American Surrogacy Screens Prospective Surrogates
Medical Record Review: ~1-5 weeks Background Check: ~1 week Psychological Evaluation: Results available in ~1 week Insurance Review: ~1 week
By completing our initial screening before matching, we help you understand whether surrogacy is a safe and appropriate option before you become more invested in the process.
Once you're approved, our specialists continue supporting you through matching, medical appointments, legal coordination and financial protections, so you have guidance throughout your journey.
Can You Reapply if You Were Disqualified From Being a Surrogate?
Being disqualified from surrogacy doesn't always mean you can never become a surrogate. Your ability to reapply depends on the reason you didn't qualify.
Some factors, such as a BMI outside the qualifying range, an active infection or certain medication requirements, may be temporary. Once the issue has been resolved and you meet our requirements, you may be eligible to reapply.
Other medical conditions or pregnancy complications may prevent you from safely carrying another pregnancy. While surrogacy may not be an option, you can still help intended parents grow their families through American Surrogacy's referral program by connecting women who may qualify to become surrogates.
Find Out if You Qualify to Become a Surrogate
Your medical and pregnancy history can affect whether you qualify to become a surrogate, but some circumstances may require a closer look.
Fill out our contact form to connect with an American Surrogacy specialist who can review your individual circumstances and help you understand your next steps.