How to Prepare Yourself to Become a Gestational Carrier

Choosing to become a gestational carrier, or often referred to as a surrogate mother, can be a wonderful and deeply rewarding way to give the gift of life to a family. At The Surrogacy Experience, we believe in creating strong partnerships with gestational carriers built on mutual trust and respect. We are dedicated to being a source of guidance, knowledge and support for all of our gestational carriers. We want each of our candidates to be fully aware of what is expected and involved throughout their surrogacy journey. Here are some basic facts women should consider before committing to becoming a gestational carrier:

·         A gestational carrier is a woman who agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another couple – there is no biological relationship between the carrier and the child.

·         There are a number of requirements as to which women are eligible to become surrogate mothers. For example, women must be between the ages of 22 and 43 (although this is flexible), a non-smoker, have  previously given birth to a child with no complications, live in a state which surrogacy is legal, etc.

·         Candidates must also undergo both physical and mental health screenings to ensure they are fit to become a gestational carrier.

·         Once candidates have been accepted and matched with intended parents, an official surrogacy agreement must be drafted by a legal professional.

·         Gestational carriers should be prepared for the various medical aspects involved with surrogacy. Such as regular doctors’ visits, taking medications, the embryo transfer and of course, the birth of the child.

·         Women who are interested in becoming a gestational carrier should also define the type of relationship they wish to have with the intended parent(s) and child after birth.

Before deciding to embark on the surrogacy journey it is beneficial to understand in broad terms what is expected and involved throughout the entire process. Taking into consideration all of this information will help you to better determine if gestational surrogacy is right for you. For more information please visit The Surrogacy Experience website or call 1.866.264.7211.