Surrogates

How to Become a Surrogate | Requirements, Process, and FAQs

If you love being pregnant and are excited to help someone experience the joy of parenthood, we want to hear from you! Being a Surrogate is an incredible way to make a difference in someone’s life, and we’d love to help you on your journey.

How to Become a Surrogate

Requirements, Process, Compensation, and Common Questions

Is Surrogacy Right for You?

Becoming a surrogate is a generous, life-changing decision. As a surrogate, you help someone build a family while receiving thoughtful support, care, and compensation along the way.

At My Donor Connection, we work closely with surrogates throughout the entire journey, from your first questions to delivery and beyond. Our goal is to ensure you feel informed, respected, and supported at every step.

What Is Surrogacy?

What does it mean to be a surrogate?

Short answer:
Surrogacy is when a woman carries a pregnancy for intended parents using an embryo created through IVF. A gestational surrogate does not share a genetic connection to the baby.

More detail:
In gestational surrogacy, embryos created from the intended parents or egg and sperm donors are transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. While you carry and deliver the baby, the child is genetically related to the intended parents or donors, not to you.

Who Can Become a Surrogate?

What are the qualifications to be a surrogate?

Short answer:
Most surrogates are healthy women who have had at least one uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery, are raising their own child, and meet medical and lifestyle guidelines set by fertility clinics.

General requirements typically include:

  • Age 21–40 (clinic guidelines vary)
  • At least one prior full-term, uncomplicated pregnancy
  • Currently raising a child
  • Healthy BMI range (clinic-dependent)
  • No significant pregnancy complications
  • Stable living environment and support system
  • Willingness to attend medical appointments and follow protocols

Every application is reviewed individually, and clinics ultimately determine medical eligibility.

What can disqualify someone from being a surrogate?

Short answer:
Certain medical conditions, pregnancy complications, or lifestyle factors may prevent someone from qualifying.

Examples may include:

  • History of serious pregnancy complications
  • Certain chronic medical conditions
  • Recent substance use
  • Inability to meet clinic or legal requirements

If you’re unsure whether something applies to you, we encourage you to apply or reach out. Many situations require context, and clinic guidelines can vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

A: Often yes, depending on the number of C-sections and your medical history.

A: Yes. Most surrogates work full-time and are actively raising their own children while going through the surrogacy journey.

Surrogacy is designed to fit into real life. While there are medical appointments throughout the process, most can be scheduled in advance. Many surrogates continue working, caring for their families, and maintaining their routines with planning and support. During matching, we discuss availability and logistics to ensure expectations are realistic and manageable.

A: You maintain bodily autonomy, while also agreeing to follow medical and legal guidelines outlined in the surrogacy agreement.

A: These preferences are discussed during matching to ensure alignment with intended parents before moving forward.

Clear communication upfront helps create a respectful and positive journey for everyone.

A: Absolutely. Our team remains involved throughout your entire journey, offering guidance, coordination, and support every step of the way!

A: Your health and safety are always the top priority, and you will receive appropriate medical care and support.

If complications arise, your medical team will guide care just as they would in any pregnancy. Intended parents are financially responsible for pregnancy-related medical expenses, and insurance coverage is in place to support your care. Our team stays closely involved to help coordinate communication and ensure you feel supported throughout the process.

A: Founded in 2011, My Donor Connection has supported hundreds of surrogacy journeys with a boutique, surrogate-centered approach. Our team provides hands-on coordination from start to finish, ensuring each surrogate feels informed, respected, and genuinely supported throughout the process. We are deeply committed to ethical standards and personalized care, and we believe surrogacy should feel empowering and well-guided, never overwhelming

The Surrogacy Process: Step by Step

You’ll complete an application, provide medical records, and begin the screening process.

Steps typically include:

  1. Initial application and intake
  2. Medical record collection and review
  3. Psychological screening / Insurance review
  4. Matching with intended parents
  5. Medical Screening/ Legal contracts
  6. IVF cycle and embryo transfer
  7. Pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care

Learn more about

Surrogacy & Surrogates

Writing your Dear Surrogate Letter
Writing your Dear Surrogate Letter