Surrogacy offers a life-changing experience for those longing to be parents. It is a meaningful journey for a gestational carrier to undergo.
As potential surrogates begin to explore what it might look like for them to serve as a gestational carrier, they might ask the question about the surrogate mother age limit.
The age limit can vary based on the agency or clinic that the gestational carrier works with. At Accel Conceptions, gestational carriers must be between the ages of 21 and 38. But there are also clear medical guidelines that impact a woman’s ability to serve as a gestational carrier.
Get to know surrogate age limits, why they exist, and whether you might make a great carrier for intended parents longing to grow their family.
Surrogate Age Limits at Accel Conceptions
Age limits for surrogacy in the United States are generally governed by guidance from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). This is widely considered the leading authority on assisted reproductive technologies.
ASRM has found that the safest ages for surrogacy pregnancy are 21-45. Surrogacy clinics and agencies then use these numbers to outline their own requirements for surrogates based on their research and experience.
Many clinics put stricter restrictions on age than the larger age span that ASRM offers to provide the greatest safety for surrogates and intended families. On top of that, surrogacy agencies also place recommendations on medical history and personal circumstances.
So while there are no legal requirements that apply nationwide to how old a surrogate can be, there are widely adopted standards, and agencies post clear requirements for their surrogates to ensure good outcomes.
Why Must Surrogates Reach a Minimum Age?
The minimum age of 21 to serve as a surrogate is in place for several crucial reasons.
- You must be 18 years of age before you can sign a contract that is legally binding.
- Emotional maturity is crucial as serving as a surrogate involves many long-term responsibilities.
- Surrogates should be old enough to give fully informed consent to what they are committing to.
- Surrogates must have completed a successful pregnancy prior to serving as a surrogate before they can qualify to carry another person’s child to reduce the risks of unexpected complications.
- Placing age requirements also ensures that the surrogate has a stable living environment and support system.
Why Is There an Upper Age Limit for Surrogates?
The upper age to serve as a surrogate tends to vary more widely than the lower age across various surrogacy agencies. This is primarily due to the increased risk of complications as a woman ages. Common pregnancy complications as a woman ages include:
- High blood pressure
- Gestational diabetes
- Miscarriage
- Premature birth
- And more
Additionally, once a woman reaches a certain age, it can be more challenging for her to achieve pregnancy, lowering success rates and placing undue stress on intended parents with failed IVF procedures.
The upper age limit for surrogates is there to ensure safety for both the surrogate and the baby.
Other Surrogate Requirements You Should Be Aware of
While age is a starting point for evaluating whether you might be a candidate for serving as a gestational carrier, you must also meet certain health and lifestyle requirements as well.
At Accel Conceptions, the requirements to serve as a gestational carrier also include:
- Being a US citizen
- A clean criminal history and no tobacco, drug or alcohol use
- Having given birth to at least one child that you have full custody of
- Having had no major complications during prior pregnancies or birth
- While you must have given birth prior to serving as a surrogate, you also can’t have more than three C-sections or five total births
- Possess strong communication skills and be responsive throughout the surrogacy process
- Be living a healthy lifestyle with a stable support system to guide you
- Your body mass index (BMI) must be less than 32
Why Surrogacy Age Limits Exist
Surrogacy age limits are in place to protect everyone involved, including the surrogate. They are not there to exclude people from serving as a surrogate, but exist for the following reasons.
- Improved likelihood of a healthy pregnancy
- Lower risks of medical complications for both gestational carrier and the baby
- Better emotional preparedness
- Strong legal and ethical safeguards
How to Evaluate Whether You Meet Surrogate Requirements
While Accel Conceptions is clear about its surrogacy requirements, you should still reach out if you have questions or aren’t sure whether your medical or personal history might exclude you from serving as a surrogate. Don’t assume you don’t meet the requirements; meet with the team.
Age is just one part of the surrogate screening process, and if you’re near the age limits, it’s best to meet with Accel Conceptions to discuss the potential of serving as a surrogate further. Get in touch to start the process of evaluating whether you might be a good surrogacy candidate.