No, you cannot become a surrogate if you've never given birth or aren't currently raising a child. Our requirements include having at least one successful pregnancy and raising a child in a stable home environment.
We understand this may be disappointing, especially if you've been looking forward to helping another family experience parenthood. These requirements are designed to protect your health and ensure you have the pregnancy experience needed for surrogacy.
Fill out our contact form today to connect with a specialist who can explain how pregnancy affects your eligibility and help you better understand your options.
Why Do Surrogates Need Previous Pregnancy and Birth Experience?
Having a previous successful pregnancy helps establish that your body can carry and deliver a baby. This experience gives fertility specialists a starting point for determining whether another pregnancy would be safe for you.
Your medical records also provide valuable information about how your body responded to pregnancy and childbirth. By reviewing your history, specialists can identify previous complications or potential risks that could affect your health during a surrogate pregnancy.
Beyond the medical considerations, having experienced pregnancy and childbirth firsthand means you're familiar with the physical and emotional demands involved. This experience can help you feel more prepared for the responsibilities of carrying a baby for intended parents.
Does “Having Your Own Kids” Mean You Have to Be Parenting a Child?
Yes. At American Surrogacy, you must currently be raising a child to qualify as a surrogate. Along with previous pregnancy and delivery experience, this requirement helps ensure you've completed your own family and are in a stable position to carry a pregnancy for intended parents.
However, certain circumstances may require individual review, including:
- Placing a Child for Adoption: If you've given birth and placed your child for adoption, your pregnancy history may meet the medical requirement, but other eligibility factors still apply.
- Custody Arrangements: If you don't currently have custody of your child, your circumstances may require additional review of your legal situation, emotional well-being and living environment.
- Older Children: If your children are grown and living independently, your previous pregnancies still count toward your medical history, although other requirements may affect your eligibility.
Surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics evaluate these situations based on their specific requirements. Our specialists can review your individual circumstances to help determine whether you qualify to move forward.
Can You Be a Surrogate if You’ve Been Pregnant but Never Given Birth?
Having been pregnant before without giving birth does not meet the requirements to become a surrogate. A previous successful delivery helps fertility specialists better understand your pregnancy history and determine whether carrying another baby would be safe for you.
We understand that every pregnancy experience is different, and some may involve loss or unexpected circumstances. Although experiences such as miscarriage, abortion or ectopic pregnancy are part of your pregnancy history, a previous successful delivery is still required to qualify as a surrogate.
Having experienced pregnancy loss doesn't automatically disqualify you if you've also had a successful delivery. Our specialists will consider your complete pregnancy history to help determine whether surrogacy is a safe option for you.
Can Previous Pregnancy Complications Stop You From Becoming a Surrogate?
Certain pregnancy complications can increase the risks associated with carrying another baby, which may affect your eligibility to become a surrogate. Some complications that may require additional medical review include:
- Severe preeclampsia or gestational hypertension
- Gestational diabetes
- Placental complications, such as placenta previa or placental abruption
- Premature labor or delivery
- Multiple previous C-sections or other uterine complications
Experiencing one of these complications doesn't necessarily disqualify you from becoming a surrogate. Our specialists and fertility clinic professionals will review your medical records to assess potential risks and determine whether another pregnancy is safe for you.
What Happens During American Surrogacy’s Screening Process?
Our surrogate screening process evaluates your pregnancy history, overall health and personal circumstances to help determine whether surrogacy is a safe and appropriate option for you.
Here's what you can expect during screening:
- Initial Application: You'll provide information about your health, lifestyle, family and previous pregnancies.
- Medical Record Review: We'll review your prenatal and delivery records to identify potential health concerns and evaluate your pregnancy history.
- Background Checks: Criminal and financial background checks help us assess your living situation and overall stability.
- Psychological Evaluation: You'll meet with a mental health professional to discuss your emotional readiness, support system and expectations for surrogacy.
These steps help us understand your individual circumstances while giving you a clearer picture of the responsibilities involved. If you meet our initial requirements, the fertility clinic will complete additional medical evaluations before providing final clearance.
What Can You Expect if You Qualify to Become a Surrogate?
Once you've completed screening and met the requirements, you can begin the matching process. We use mutual matching, meaning you have a say in choosing the intended parents you work with and can get to know them before deciding to move forward.
You'll also receive personalized support and meaningful compensation for your commitment. Our surrogate compensation ranges from $70,000–$110,000+ in total compensation, with first-time surrogates earning $55,000–$65,000+ in base compensation.
Throughout your journey, your dedicated surrogacy specialist will help coordinate medical appointments, legal arrangements and other important details, so you have the guidance and support you need at every stage.
What If You Don’t Qualify to Become a Surrogate?
Learning that you don't qualify to become a surrogate can be disappointing, especially if you've been looking forward to helping another family. Even if surrogacy isn't an option for you, there are still ways to make a difference.
Through our surrogate referral program, you can help connect women who meet the requirements with intended parents hoping to grow their families. You may also be eligible to receive a referral bonus.
Referring someone offers a different way to support intended parents and play a meaningful role in helping them experience the joy of parenthood.
Find Out Whether You Qualify to Become a Surrogate
Every pregnancy history is different, and you may have questions about how your experiences affect your eligibility. Rather than ruling yourself out based on one requirement, our specialists can help you understand whether surrogacy may be an option for you.
Fill out our online contact form today to discuss your circumstances, learn more about our screening process and explore how much you could earn as a surrogate.