3.1 Understanding Surrogacy Requirements: Who Decides and Why It Matters

Who Decides Surrogacy Requirements? This is one of the most common questions we hear—and honestly, it’s a great one.

Sometimes a woman applies to be a surrogate and gets a “yes” from one agency but a “no” from another. It’s confusing, right? So who’s actually making the rules?

Here’s the truth: at GSHC, we don’t make the rules—we help you understand them.

There isn’t just one set of requirements for surrogacy. Most clinics follow medical guidelines from ASRM (the American Society for Reproductive Medicine), but each clinic—and sometimes each doctor—can have their own preferences. On top of that, state laws play a role too. And then agencies like us also apply our own screening based on real-life experience.

That’s why you might get different answers depending on where you apply. It doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. It just means the pieces didn’t quite line up for that agency or clinic.

Our job at GSHC is to walk you through all of this, be upfront about what we’re looking for, and support you every step of the way.

Where the Guidelines Come From

The main guidelines come from ASRM—the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Most fertility clinics follow ASRM’s recommendations closely. These cover things like:

BMI limits
Age range
Number of C-sections
Pregnancy and delivery history
Any complications in past pregnancies

That’s the general foundation—but it doesn’t stop there.

Each fertility clinic (and sometimes even individual doctors within a clinic) may apply these standards a little differently. One doctor may accept a BMI up to 30, while another prefers it to be under 28. Some may be fine with a past complication if everything else looks good, while others may be more cautious.

What We Do at GSHC

At GSHC, we don’t want to waste your time or give you false hope. If we know that something in your history is likely to be a hard no from most clinics, we’ll let you know right away. But if it’s something more borderline or uncertain, we may ask to review your medical records and give you a fair assessment.

For example, if you had high blood pressure during delivery years ago, some doctors may still approve you—depending on the details. That’s why we ask for documentation. Medical records give us a clearer picture than memory alone, especially when pregnancies happened many years ago.

We know that sometimes those records are hard to get or incomplete—but we do our best to work with what’s available, and we’re here to help you request what you need.

Our Promise to You

We genuinely want to give every qualified woman a chance to become a surrogate—but we care deeply about your safety and the baby’s, too. If something in your background makes it very unlikely for you to be accepted, we’d rather be honest early than waste your time.

At the end of the day, our mission is simple: to support you with honesty, protect your journey, and help build families with heart.

So don’t hesitate to reach out. Talk to us. Ask questions. Be open. We’re here to listen and to help you figure out if surrogacy is the right path for you.

How to Determine If You Qualify as a Surrogate Mother

Thinking about becoming a surrogate mother? Here are a few important things to keep in mind:

✔ Understand the medical basics – Some common reasons people get disqualified include a BMI over 31, having had several C-sections, or complications in past pregnancies.

✔ Know what’s expected lifestyle-wise – Surrogates need to be non-smokers, drug-free, and financially stable without relying on government assistance.

✔ Consider your legal situation – Not every state allows compensated surrogacy, so where you live could affect whether you're eligible.

✔ Talk to a trusted agency – Agencies like GSHC can walk you through the process, help review your history, and let you know what to expect from the start.

Start Your Surrogacy Journey Today!

📩 Contact us now to learn more about becoming a surrogate mother and making a life-changing difference for intended parents!
📞 Call: 310-953-0137
📍 Apply to Become a Surrogate: Start Your Application Here

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