Authored by Ceetee Sheckels in Pregnancy
Published on 10-27-2009
Surrogacy is not a new practice, but has become more widespread during recent years. One of the main reasons for this is that more and more couples are opting to wait until later in life to become parents, which significantly decreases their chance of conceiving naturally. Another reason is there are more women these days who want to help infertile couples by becoming surrogate mothers. You may be wondering if becoming a surrogate mother might be a good decision for you.
One of the first factors which a potential surrogate mother must know is that you need to be in excellent physical health. When you apply to become a surrogate mother, you will have a complete health screening. In addition to ensuring that you do not have any preexisting medical conditions, you also need to know the basics about your family history. This is for the purpose of making sure that the child will not have any genetic problems or hereditary conditions. Although a clean bill of health reflects the likelihood of the child being born healthy, it is also to assist you in a pregnancy and childbirth free of complications.
Becoming a surrogate mother also means being mentally and emotionally healthy. Although being a surrogate can be stressful, it is in everyone’s best interests to choose a surrogate who is healthy and stable. You will have a serious, important commitment, both during the pregnancy and after the birth. If you have the frame of mind that you are providing a wonderful service to a couple and a new family, this can increase the chance of a positive outcome. The stable surrogate who is in this frame of mind will be less likely to experience undue stress or regrets.
If you are considering this option, it is essential to know that you are doing it for the right reasons. While surrogate mothers are fairly compensated, you should not consider it if payment is your primary motivation. The desire to help others should be your main reason for making this choice.
As some agencies which deal with surrogacy have additional guidelines, it is important to check to see if the agency you have chosen has other requirements. These can include limiting surrogacy to women who are within a specific age-range, whether or not you have had prior successful pregnancies, and whether your marital status may be a factor.
Becoming a surrogate means that you and the potential child are chosen for your distinct characteristics. A surrogate is not chosen at random, but matched to the prospective parents’ own needs and preferences. You will know that you are the one unique individual whom they want to bring this special child into the world and into their lives.
If you feel that you are eligible to become a surrogate mother, and have put careful thought into what this decision would mean to you and to your life, you can take the next step by contacting an agency which is there to assist potential surrogate mothers and couples. This step can be the beginning of an enriching experience for you, and bringing joy into the lives of a new family.
