Become a Surrogate Mother: To Be or Not to Be

Congratulations for Considering to Become a Surrogate Mother

It's amazing you are thinking about it. It takes a pretty special woman who will consider the prospect of carrying a baby for someone unable to do so. Actually, it takes a lot of courage and it takes a lot of heart. So, again, congratulations for getting this far! But here it comes: the reality check. Is wanting to become a surrogate enough? We are going to explore the process in more detail, and explore this journey without "rose colored glasses" so to speak.

What are the requirements that the advertisements don't usually list? Well, they are:

• Time
• Courage
• Patience
• Dedication

Time it Takes to Become a Surrogate

Surrogates are moms, often of young children, so life is busy. Our surrogate moms express having an experience that was way beyond even their own expectations going in. Our surrogates often described their journey as a totally mind-blowing, awesome, experience of a lifetime which turned out to be one of their absolute top proudest moments.

The thing is that like most things in life, the journey to these moments of pure elation and joy requires some blood, sweat and tears. The journey will take your time which is often in short supply in the hectic, busy lives of our surro moms. There is an application and questionnaire — it's long. There is the screening process, which involves medical screening requiring review of all your medical records. Then there are lab tests, more forms for the fertility clinic, ultrasound, medical examination. Your spouse or significant other must complete lab tests too. Then there is the psychological assessment.

Courage it Takes to Become a Surrogate Mom

Those questionnaires you complete for us and the interview with the psychologist? They don't just take time but they can also take some courage. Some questions may hit upon issues or times in your life that were challenging and difficult. And you are being asked to share these things with relative strangers. That's why finding the right agency is so important. You need to feel safe and not judged in this process.

What are the Basic Requirements to Become a Surrogate?

Typically, they include:

• Between ages of 21 and 41
• Have given birth without complications to at least one child
• BMI of 31 or less
• Healthy Lifestyle
• Don't smoke or abuse alcohol nor take illicit drugs
• Stable Lifestyle
• Have Reliable transportation

The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) sets standards for the industry and recommends these requirements be met.

Patience of a Saint

There is quite a bit of hurry up and wait. That's why we like to talk to women about why they should not be counting on the compensation they will eventually receive as a mainstay of their income. Surrogate candidates need to be financially stable because it can take months to get to the point where they are receiving compensation.

Dedication of An Olympian

In a nutshell becoming a surrogate takes dedication. It's a heck of a lot of responsibility to carry another person's baby and you have to be truly dedicated to meet the challenge of this process.

Rewards are Incredible

In exchange for all your time, courage, patience and dedication, you will have done something in life which is truly amazing and the personal joys that come with knowing that will last a lifetime. You are going to receive generous compensation and benefits that can amount up to $50,000 or more and you can put that to good use in realizing your own dreams for you and your family.