Surrogacy is a meaningful journey where a gestational carrier knows she is making a lasting impact on the life of a family.
And while we know it is a beautiful and meaningful gift to give, safety and well-being is also top of mind at Accel Conceptions. That’s why we have eligibility requirements for potential surrogates.
Review the qualification requirements before you dive too far into surrogacy. There are key medical, legal and lifestyle criteria that we use to pair potential surrogates and intended parents.
Medical Disqualifications for Surrogacy
The physical health of the carrier is very important to the surrogacy journey. Pregnancy places demands on the body and Accel Conceptions wants to ensure the health and well-being of both the carrier and the baby.
Some key medical qualifications include:
- Age: Accel Conceptions sets the age requirements at 21-38 years old. This ensures your safety and well being.
- Pregnancy history: You must have had a healthy pregnancy in the past to serve as a surrogate. This includes a full-term, uncomplicatated pregnancy for a child you currently have custody of. But you must also not have more than five totally births or three cesarean deliveries.
- Body mass index (BMI): Surrogates must have a BMI below 32 to be eligible with Accel Conceptions. Being overweight can increase pregnancy complications.
- Chronic conditions: Individuals with uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, type 1 diabetes and some autoimmune diseases cannot serve as a surrogate.
- Reproductive issues: Endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and uterine abnormalities could also lead to disqualifications.
Mental and Psychological Disqualifications for Surrogacy
The emotional well-being of the surrogate is important to a healthy pregnancy. Carrying a child requires emotional and physical stress. Certain mental health-related conditions could disqualify you from serving as a surrogate.
To qualify as a surrogate, Accel Conceptions will request that you complete an evaluation with a psychologist or counselor.
A history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression can lead to disqualification. Previous psychiatric hospitalization or ongoing severe mental health issues could also disqualify a surrogate.
Lifestyle and Behavioral Disqualifications for Surrogacy
Your health and mental well-being are just a few indicators of how well you’ll carry a baby for intended parents. You also need a stable, healthy lifestyle to support a healthy pregnancy. Some of those lifestyle and behaviorial factors that might impact your eligibility as a surrogate include:
- Substance use: Individuals who smoke, vape, or use recreational drugs are generally not eligible to serve as a surrogate. Heavy alcohol consumption could also disqualify you.
- Criminal record: You’ll need to complete a background check as part of the surrogacy process. If you can’t pass the background check due to felonies or violence, you’ll be disqualified. Some misdemeanors could also disqualify you.
- U.S. citizenship status: You must be a U.S. citizen to serve as a surrogate.
- Support system: Because of the emotional strains surrogacy can place on a carrier, having a good support system around you is also important. If you have a partner, your partner should fully support you being a surrogate.
Don’t Make Assumptions. Meet with the Team.
If being a surrogate is important to you, meet with the team even if you think you don’t perfectly meet the qualification criteria. You might be able to make lifestyle adjustments to eventually qualify as a surrogate.
The Accel Conceptions team cares about surrogates and intended parents and does everything possible to make for a good experience for both parties. Contact us to explore whether serving as a surrogate might be right for you.