WHAT DISQUALIFIES YOU FROM BEING A SURROGATE: KEY FACTORS TO KNOW

Becoming a surrogate is a generous and life-changing decision. At Growing Generations, our surrogates are the heart of what we do—and choosing the right candidates is imperative in the success and safety of everyone involved in the journey to parenthood. While we welcome women from many backgrounds, certain medical, legal, and lifestyle factors can disqualify someone from being a surrogate. Important surrogate health and lifestyle requirements must be met to protect everyone. Understanding the disqualifications for surrogacy can help you know whether you’re a good fit or what steps you might need to take before applying.

Common Disqualifications for Surrogacy

It is important to understand the key factors that could impact your eligibility as a surrogate before moving forward in the surrogacy process. Below are some of the most common disqualifications we consider during our screening process:

Age Outside of 21 to 38

Surrogates must be between 21 and 38 years old. This age range reflects what’s medically considered safest for carrying a pregnancy. Women outside this range are more likely to experience complications or have reduced success rates during IVF.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Above 32

BMI is an important indicator of overall health in pregnancy. A BMI over 32 can increase the risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and delivery complications. While we support healthy body diversity, we also prioritize safety and will ask you to meet this requirement before proceeding.

Delivery History

To become a surrogate, you must have previously carried and delivered at least one child without major complications. This helps demonstrate your body’s ability to safely sustain a pregnancy. This is essential in ensuring the best outcomes for both you and the baby. Growing Generations does not accept surrogate applicants who have not given birth at least once.

Pregnancy History

The health and safety of our surrogates and the babies they carry is a very important consideration. A past occurrence of serious pregnancy complications may cause us to deny your application to be a surrogate. Some of the medical conditions that may exclude surrogates from proceeding are toxemia, preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and diabetes outside of pregnancy. These are serious complications that can recur in future pregnancies. Our team will request your medical records and carefully evaluate any past issues.

Cervical Condition

Our physicians conduct a thorough obstetric history on all surrogate applicants. An incompetent cervix can cause very serious complications for pregnancy, including preterm labor and miscarriage. For this reason, we are unable to work with surrogates who have received this diagnosis.

Use of Tobacco, Recreational Drugs, or Heavy Alcohol

You must be tobacco-free (including vaping) for a minimum of 12 months prior to applying. Recreational drug use is not permitted, and regular or excessive alcohol consumption may be a disqualifying factor. A safe and substance-free lifestyle is a must during pregnancy.

Well-being Concerns

Surrogacy can be emotionally demanding. While a history of anxiety or depression doesn’t automatically disqualify you, it must be well-managed without medication changes or hospitalizations for at least a year. We will also conduct a psychological screening to ensure you're mentally and emotionally prepared for the journey.

Financial or Housing Instability

We encourage surrogates to begin this journey from a place of financial stability, as it helps create a positive surrogacy experience. In addition, the motivation to become a surrogate comes from a genuine desire to help others with their journey to parenthood rather than from financial pressure. Having stable housing, reliable income, and a strong support system can make a meaningful difference throughout the process.

State of Residency

Surrogacy is not legal in all states. If you reside in a state where surrogacy is risky or not legal, Growing Generations will not be able to accept your surrogacy application. These states are:

• Arizona

• Indiana

• Louisiana

• Nebraska

• New York

• Wyoming

You must also have a valid green card that is valid for the next 3 years if you are not a United States citizen.

Criminal Activity

Growing Generations does not accept surrogate applicants or their partners who have been convicted of a felony.

Aside from these potential disqualifiers, it's also important to know that some conditions can delay your surrogacy even if you meet all the requirements.

Surrogacy Eligibility FAQ

While the guidelines above cover the most typical disqualifications, we understand that every applicant’s situation is unique. Below, we address some of the most commonly asked questions about specific conditions and whether they impact your eligibility to become a surrogate.

Can You Be a Surrogate if Your Tubes Are Tied?

Yes, you can be a surrogate if your tubes are tied. This is one of the most common misconceptions we hear from potential applicants. Because IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes entirely, having a tubal ligation does not affect your ability to carry a pregnancy as a surrogate.

Can You Be a Surrogate With Herpes?

Having herpes will not automatically disqualify you as a surrogate. The answer depends on your specific medical history. If you have genital herpes (HSV-2) but it is well-managed—with no recent outbreaks and under medical supervision—you may still be eligible. We'll review your OB records and current treatment plan to determine if you meet our criteria. The most important factor is ensuring the condition doesn't increase risk during pregnancy or delivery. You may, however, be required to undergo a C-section for the protection of the baby.

Can You Be a Surrogate with PCOS?

The answer is: possibly. PCOS is a hormonal condition that can affect ovulation, but because IVF is used in surrogacy, that factor isn’t as critical. What matters more is whether PCOS caused complications during previous pregnancies. If you’ve had a healthy, full-term pregnancy despite your diagnosis, you may still be eligible to become a surrogate.

Can You Be a Surrogate If You Had Gestational Diabetes?

While it doesn’t immediately disqualify you from being a surrogate, it is an important condition to address. It depends on how it was managed. If your gestational diabetes was controlled with diet and did not lead to complications for you or your baby, you may still be approved. However, if it required insulin or resulted in issues such as high birth weight or early delivery, that could be a disqualifying factor.

Can You Be a Surrogate After Menopause?

Unfortunately, you cannot be a surrogate after menopause. Even though IVF doesn’t rely on your own eggs, menopause signals other changes in your body, making pregnancy riskier. Hormonal support isn’t enough to reverse the natural changes that occur post-menopause. For these reasons, surrogacy programs—including ours—require surrogates to be premenopausal with regular cycles.

Becoming a Surrogate

Choosing to become a surrogate is an incredible act of generosity. However, it requires meeting specific medical, legal, and lifestyle criteria to ensure a safe and successful journey for everyone involved. Understanding these disqualifications can help you determine whether surrogacy is the right path for you.

If you have questions about your eligibility or a unique medical history, we encourage you to find out more about our surrogate screening process.

At Growing Generations, we are committed to guiding you through the process with care and transparency, helping you take the first steps toward making a profound difference in someone’s life. We are here to provide personalized guidance and answer all your questions—even the ones you might feel nervous to ask. Get started today by contacting us online or calling us at (323) 965-7500.