- What is the age requirement to be a Surrogate Mother with Building Families?
- I have had only one child, is that enough to qualify?
- Does gestational diabetes disqualify an applicant?
- I have had C-Sections with all of my pregnancies. Is there a limit?
- Why does my weight matter? I have been large my whole life and have never had complications.
- Can I be a Surrogate Mother if I am on Welfare, Cash Aid or Public Assistance?
- How can I tell if the agency I am considering is reputable?
- Are the Couples psychologically evaluated also?
- How do I know the Couple will take their baby?
- Can I be a Surrogate if I live outside of Southern California?
- How much does it cost to become a Surrogate Mother?
- I have never had children, why can’t I be a Surrogate Mother?
- How do I learn more about the Application Process?
1. What is the age requirement to be a Surrogate Mother with Building Families?
We require our Surrogate Mothers to be between the ages of 21 and 39. We realize that some agencies accept younger and older applicants, but we feel this age range is the best both socially as well as medically.
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2. I have had only one child, is that enough to qualify?
Yes, we are looking for a healthy pregnancy history and good health in general. Even one healthy pregnancy is good enough!
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3. Does gestational diabetes disqualify an applicant?
It goes back to healthy pregnancy history. When a woman experiences any complications, including gestational diabetes, then inevitably so does the fetus. There are greater concerns such as toxemia, high blood pressure and premature deliveries, but we do not accept any applicants with any kind of previous complication, small or large.
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4. I have had C-Sections with all of my pregnancies. Is there a limit?
Yes, the limit is no more than 2 C-Sections. Once you reach this, then the chances of complications increase significantly. It is one thing if you are pregnant for yourself and want to complete your family. This would be an acceptable risk. But as a Surrogate Mother, you are basically a volunteer. Volunteers should not be put under any undue risk.
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5. Why does my weight matter? I have been large my whole life and have never had complications.
We require that the potential Surrogate Mother have a BMI of less than 30. There are risks associated with anything above that. These risks are not to be taken lightly, lives are literally at stake. So, it is not a matter of whether you have carried this weight around with you your whole life, it is more about ensuring a safe and healthy outcome for you and the Couple’s baby or babies.
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6. Can I be a Surrogate Mother if I am on Welfare, Cash Aid or Public Assistance?
Unfortunately, receiving benefits from the State makes you ineligible to be a Surrogate Mother at this time. By law, you must report any monies that you receive and and that may jeopardize your family’s benefits. Remember that you are receiving those benefits to take care of your family. There is no guarantee that you will become pregnant timely, or at all. And the money you receive as a Surrogate Mother is not that significant and is only for a year. Once you are off of assistance for 6 months, you can apply to our Program.
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7. How can I tell if the agency I am considering is reputable?
Find out how long they have been in business. Speak with professionals such as the doctors they work with to ask their opinion. Ask the agency about their availability to you. Do they have regular office hours and cannot be reached after hours or on weekends? Here at Building Families, your Case Manager and the Director herself can be reached 24/7. The psychologist also is available when needed. It is so important to have a supportive staff during your participation as a Surrogate Mother.
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8. Are the Couples psychologically evaluated also?
Yes, everyone who participates in Building Families surrogacy program has been psychologically approved. It is important to ensure everyone has the coping skills to manage a surrogacy arrangement. Although this process is the most rewarding experience a Surrogate Mother will ever have, it is quite complex and demanding. And imagine what the Couple must endure with their baby growing in someone else’s body across town or across an ocean. It is also important to ensure that the Couple are in agreement on how to build their family. We make sure the Couple are not only together in this decision but are excited to experience this journey with you.
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9. How do I know the Couple will take their baby?
That’s a really good question because it goes back to making sure the Couple is appropriate for surrogacy. During the screening process we ensure their need for a Surrogate Mother is true. Sometimes it is infertility, but sometimes it is a different medical condition or a birth defect that prevents the woman from carrying her own child. We do occasionally receive inquiries from women who would just prefer to not be pregnant. We never assist these cases! It would be wrong to ask a woman to assume the risks that a Surrogate Mother assumes for someone who could carry their own baby.
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10. Can I be a Surrogate if I live outside of Southern California?
Building Families only works with Surrogate Mothers residing within Southern California. This allows us to provide you with ongoing personal care and the attention you deserve.
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11. How much does it cost to become a Surrogate Mother?
There is no cost to you. Occasionally you may have to pay for a prescription or a co-payment up front, but you should always, always be reimbursed timely. You should inquire about who holds the funds for your arrangement. Insist that the money for your arrangement is held by a licensed and bonded entity such as a lawyer.
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12. I have never had children, why can’t I be a Surrogate Mother?
There are several reasons, but the two most important are these. The first reason is two parts. The first part is that we have no idea if you can even become pregnant and the second part, without a pregnancy history, we can’t know how well your pregnancy will go. Being pregnant is not something you can take lightly, medically speaking. There are risks to your health and it may affect your ability to carry future children. The other major reason is the psychological component. Carrying a child and giving birth has psychological consequences that you cannot identify with unless you experience it yourself. You cannot agree to do something for someone else that you have not successfully done for yourself.
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13. How do I learn more about the Application Process?
Please view the videos here to learn more about the Application Process.
