Surrogate mothers are women who carry a pregnancy to full term and bear a child on behalf of another person or couple through artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization. Many couples dream of giving birth and bringing up kids of their own. Unfortunately, some can’t give birth at all due to health issues. You can arrange and agree with another woman to deliver on your behalf, but you’ll become the child’s parents after birth. Surrogacy is common and is often supported by legal agreement.
In surrogacy, eggs from the donor are fertilized from a donor of sperm to form an embryo. As a surrogate mother, you aren’t biologically related to the baby. It’s good to note that surrogacy involves normal pregnancy risks.
Surrogacy is a complicated process. Before it begins, you must go through surrogacy screening criteria to ensure the surrogate pregnancy succeeds. A surrogate fills out a surrogate social and medical history form, in-home assessment, mental health and psychological evaluation, and medical evaluation.
Continue reading this article to get informed if you qualify to become a surrogate mother.
1. You Must Have At Least One Successful Natural Pregnancy
All surrogate candidates must prove they’re fertile and can carry the pregnancy to full term. This can only be achieved if you’ve once had a successful pregnancy. Additionally, going through a pregnancy gives an idea of the risks and challenges of pregnancy. Bringing up a child also shows your level of emotional stability and responsibility.
2. Physical And Psychological Health Qualifications
To become a surrogate, you must be physically fit since surrogacy professionals want gestational carriers to meet specific medical requirements before qualifying. These medical requirements are essential because they enhance your safety, that of your intended parents, and the growing fetus in your uterus. A surrogate must be between 21-41 years old and have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 32.
Becoming a surrogate requires knowing the journey’s emotional and psychological challenges. Remember to book some appointments with the doctor and the intended parents. During pregnancy, you’re prone to hormonal changes that can affect your mental health. You must be able to adapt to the changes.
3. You Live In A Drug And Smoke-Free Home
To enhance the unborn baby’s safety, you must live in a home free from illicit drugs, smoking, and drug abuse. For instance, tobacco and nicotine use can interfere with fetus growth. The use of illegal drugs can lead to complications during pregnancy, and it can also result in disabled children or even cause death. Surrogates mustn’t smoke or live in a vulnerable environment.
It’s vital to note that if you used to smoke some years back but you ceased smoking a year ago, you still can qualify to be a surrogate.
4. Legal Requirements
You must be able to meet the legal gestational requirements set by surrogacy attorneys in your state. They draft an agreement and evaluate the gestational surrogate needs set by your country’s surrogacy laws. Before kicking off the journey, you must also be aware and comfortable with all the legal aspects of surrogacy.
Your lawyer ensures that your interests are well addressed and catered for as in the contract. After meeting all the legal requirements, you can now move to the next step of medical check-ups.
5. You Must Have A Positive Outlook On Life And A Stable Relationship
You must be optimistic since a positive mindset is vital for the developing fetus. Also, a good attitude will help you carry on with the journey and the joy you’ll give to the childless couple. A positive attitude will help you overcome pregnancy’s emotional and psychological challenges.
Being pregnant isn’t an easy task—you need emotional support in most cases. Therefore, you must have a caring partner or husband to help you throughout pregnancy. You can still qualify even if you lack a spouse, but you need to have a reliable network of friends who can support you.
6. You Must Be Able To Take Good Care Of Yourself
Taking good care of yourself is essential by sticking to healthy diets and workouts, especially during pregnancy. You should show that you live a healthy lifestyle such as frequent training and personal wellness activities.
Regular exercise can help reduce back pains, constipation, bloating, and swelling. It also promotes a healthy weight during pregnancy and improves your general fitness. You can exercise from the first to the third trimester and even during birth if you feel okay and comfortable with the workouts. Babies whose mothers train during pregnancy experience various developmental boosts which help them grow healthy and more physically active in the future.
Conclusion
Surrogate mothers need to be appreciated and loved. They bring joy and an opportunity to own a child to childless couples. Surrogates must pass all the requirements, including physical and mental health. Suppose you intend to show your generosity by becoming a surrogate mother. The above article highlights some of the requirements that you must meet.