If you’ve ever considered becoming a gestational surrogate, you may wonder what to expect and how you can prepare yourself and your loved ones. You’re smart to take a thoughtful approach to such an important decision. It can affect many people for years to come. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
Make sure you’re in top physical condition.
Like any pregnancy, surrogacy can be tough on your body. Do yourself, the intended parents, and the future baby a favor by entering the journey healthy. Before becoming a surrogate, you’ll undergo medical testing, but it’s even better to see your own doctor ahead of time to ensure you’re healthy right from the beginning and correct any issues that could cause delays.
Line up your support system.
Even though you are the only one who will be carrying the pregnancy, the support of your friends and family is essential to your surrogacy journey. You may have days when you need a shoulder to lean on for emotional support. There could be times when you need them to pitch in if you’re tired or nauseated at the beginning of your pregnancy. You also need a backup plan in place if you are placed on bed rest or other restrictions by your doctor.
Investigate your options.
You may wonder if you should work with a surrogacy agency or if you can be a gestational surrogate independently. You may be surprised how many details there are to manage and what steps you might need to take to protect your interests. Read our previous article on why you should work with a surrogacy agency to learn more.
Investigate potential pitfalls.
You’re not the first woman to consider being a surrogate mother. Why not learn from some of the mistakes other gestational surrogates have made rather than learning the hard way? Do plenty of research to know what to expect and make sure that your expectations are realistic when it comes to your surrogacy journey.
Check the requirements
Before you get too far into the process, check to see that you meet the requirements to become a gestational surrogate. A few common requirements include being between the ages of 21 and 45, being physically and mentally healthy, and having at least one child of your own.
Think you’d like to become a surrogate mother?
Read our previous blogs on how to get started:
- Learn the terminology of gestational surrogacy
- Consider whether gestational surrogacy is right for you
- Be prepared for screening to become a surrogate mother
When you feel ready to take the next step, or if you have any unanswered questions, talk to the gestational surrogacy experts at Surrogate Solutions today!
We help Intended Parents Create Happy Families via Egg Donation & Surrogacy with the help of caring Egg Donors & Surrogates.
Why use an agency, Surrogate Requirements, Can I be a Surrogate?, Facts about Surrogacy, Information on surrogacy, What our agency can offer you , Surrogacy FAQs, Families who need you, Learn more, Apply now.
