If you’re considering surrogacy — or if you’ve already completed a surrogacy journey — you might be wondering how many times you can be a surrogate without putting your health at risk.
Below, you’ll find clear answers to how many journeys are typically allowed, how long surrogates should wait between pregnancies, what experienced surrogate compensation can look like and what to expect when returning for another journey. If you’re ready to take the next step, you can fill out our form to connect with a surrogacy specialist.
How Many Times Can You Be a Surrogate?
There’s no universal limit on how many times you can be a surrogate. However, most agencies follow the guidelines set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Between your personal pregnancies and surrogate pregnancies, you can have:
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A maximum of five vaginal births
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No more than three C-sections
These limits are in place to reduce risks related to pregnancy and childbirth and ensure it’s safe to do multiple surrogacies. However, your individual history may also affect whether you can become a repeat surrogate. Factors like pregnancy complications, recovery after delivery and underlying health conditions can all influence medical clearance.
That’s why it’s important to speak with your medical provider and a surrogacy professional. Meeting general guidelines doesn’t guarantee eligibility because your health is the top priority.
How Long Should Surrogates Wait Between Pregnancies?
Most medical professionals recommend waiting at least 12 months between surrogate pregnancies. This recovery window gives your body time to heal physically. Doctors may recommend a longer wait for surrogates who delivered by C-section.
Emotional readiness also matters. Even if your body feels physically recovered, it’s okay to wait until you feel mentally prepared to take on another journey. Choosing to pause longer does not negatively affect your eligibility or compensation.
Because screening, matching and legal steps take time, many surrogates begin the process around the six-month postpartum mark. This allows you to move forward thoughtfully while still protecting your health.
How Much Does an Experienced Surrogate Get Paid?
At American Surrogacy, experienced surrogate compensation reflects your proven reliability and understanding of the process. Depending on your location and pregnancy history, compensation can range from $65,000 to $110,000+. In many cases, experienced surrogates request $5,000 to $10,000 more per successful journey.
You can explore our full compensation package details on our website, or you can speak with a surrogacy specialist to get an estimate of how much you could get.
Benefits of Being an Experienced Surrogate
The benefits of repeat surrogate journeys go beyond compensation. Many returning surrogates describe feeling more confident and grounded the second time around. You already understand the medical process, know how contracts work and feel more comfortable advocating for your needs. That familiarity often reduces stress and helps you approach the journey with greater confidence.
Other benefits often include:
Faster matching due to your proven history Increased trust from intended parents Opportunities for sibling journeys with the same family
Do Intended Parents Prefer Experienced Surrogates?
Yes! Some intended parents seek out repeat surrogates because they value their reliability and familiarity with the process.
In certain situations — such as when a family is pursuing a sibling journey — prior experience can offer additional reassurance. This is one reason experienced surrogates are sometimes matched more quickly, depending on the intended parents’ goals and timeline.
What to Expect When Returning for a Repeat Surrogate Journey
Even if you’ve completed a journey before, you’ll still need to go through screening. This includes:
Medical record review and OB-GYN clearance Psychological evaluation Background checks and lifestyle review
These steps confirm your health and readiness for the next journey. Many experienced surrogates find that this stage moves quicker the second time around, especially when prior records are available.
You can review current requirements for surrogacy online.
Can You Be a Surrogate Again With a Different Agency?
Yes. You can choose a different agency for a future surrogacy journey. Some surrogates decide to switch agencies because their needs, expectations or priorities have changed since their last experience.
If you’re considering a journey with American Surrogacy after working with another agency, your previous experience will be taken into account during screening and matching. Certain steps will still be completed to ensure current medical and legal standards are met, but your background helps inform the process.
Ready for Another Surrogacy Journey? Here’s What to Do Next
Whether you’re early in recovery or actively planning your next match, speaking with a specialist can help you understand your options and potential compensation.
When you’re ready to take the next step — and help another family grow — you can fill out our online form.