Surrogacy Requirements

Using an alternative uterus, often called surrogacy, is a method most infertile couples use to have a child.

In addition to all the physical problems it may cause, this method sometimes causes legal and emotional problems for many couples.

For reasons mentioned in other articles on the Moj Aramesh Amitis Medical Blog, some countries refuse to legalize the surrogacy process.

However, some countries, such as Iran, perform this process internationally.

In most countries, gay couples use the surrogacy method to have children. In this article, we will explain the different requirements of surrogacy.

If you are interested to become a surrogate, you must meet certain requirements. To protect yourself and the fetus, you need to follow some guidelines before and during pregnancy.

• Qualifications to Be a Surrogate Mother

The woman who opts for becoming a surrogate must ensure that she is in perfect health.

This is necessary because it reduces the potential risks to the embryo transfer process and during pregnancy. Also, there are plenty of health and hygiene tips to observe.

• Basic Requirements of a Surrogate Mother

1- You must be at least 21 years old.

2- You must have experienced pregnancy and childbirth in the past without any serious complication.

3- You must not be addicted to any kind of traditional or industrial drugs.

4- Your MBI must be within a healthy limit, i.e. between 19 and 39.

Medical Stages of Surrogacy and Requirements

Specialists of the field in a reputable clinic can confirm your qualification.

A reputable doctor should also examine you regularly during pregnancy. In addition, check your physical health to make sure you can endure a pregnancy. For example, your doctor may conduct various tests to assess sexually transmitted diseases or your physical capability.

In addition to all these tests confirming your physical health, a psychologist should also examine your mental health.

While examining your eligibility for becoming a surrogate mother, your doctor may notice something that prohibits you from surrogacy.

In addition to the surrogacy health requirements, you should also avoid alcohol and tobacco use, so that you and the baby are not exposed to the slightest harm during pregnancy.

The requirements you have to follow may vary according to the law of each clinic, but they all share in common some regulations.

Surrogacy FAQ

Many questions may come to your mind after reading the above.

In the following, Moj Aramesh Amitis Health Tourism Company has answered some of the most common questions asked by women who want to know about surrogacy.

Although it is advisable to consult a specialist to answer your questions, we have answered some general questions.

 

• Can you become a surrogate after tubal ligation?

The answer is yes. It is possible to transfer the embryo after tubal ligation, even recommended in certain cases.

You can also experience surrogacy after blocking your fallopian tubes. Because your ability to perform pregnancy is not affected by it. Instead, tubal ligation will prevent ovulation and you will not be able to conceive a baby.

 

• Can you become a surrogate after menopause?

No. In most cases, a postmenopausal woman cannot become a surrogate for two reasons.

First, the woman is probably over 40 years old and the specialists do not allow her to do so.

In addition, after menopause, women cannot experience pregnancy naturally. Hence, surrogacy and going through pregnancy period can be risky.

In this regard, it is advisable to consult a specialist.

 

• Can you be a surrogate more than once?

As long as your physical and mental health is confirmed by specialists, you can become a surrogate multiple times, even if you have experienced it in the past.

• How long after a recent childbirth, can a woman become pregnant again?

Generally, fertility clinics do not allow you to become a surrogate until three months after vaginal delivery or six months after a C-section.

 

• Can I become a surrogate while breastfeeding?

To become a surrogate, you need to strop breastfeeding and experience regular menstrual cycles.

During breastfeeding, regular ovulation and menstruation may be interrupted and impair a woman’s fertility. You will be able to become a surrogate once your breastfeeding period is over.

 

• Is it possible to be a surrogate with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)?

 PCOS mainly affects female ovulation, however, surrogacy might be successful in spite of this condition. Women with Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome are at higher risk for specific pregnancy-related complications, which can put both the mother and the baby they give birth to, at risk.

In most cases, a woman with PCOS cannot be a surrogate. PCOS is a disease in women in which the ovary (or both ovaries) becomes larger than normal. Polycystic also means a large number of cysts and follicles in the ovary.

 

• Can I become a surrogate if I take antidepressants?

If you take antidepressants, you cannot participate in the process of surrogacy as a surrogate mother. Many experts recommend that a person who wants to be a surrogate should not have taken any particular medication for a year.

 

• Can I become a surrogate if I have HPV?

In many cases, HPV will not affect a growing baby in the womb.

However, the prevalence of genital warts near the time of embryo transfer can expose the baby to a variety of diseases.

In most cases, a woman can be a surrogate if she has HPV, but it is better to consult a specialist in advance.

 HPV is a common sexually transmitted virus among men and women.

 

• Can a surrogate mother be HIV Positive?

No, because the mother can also infect the baby with HIV, even if they are not genetically related.

 

• Can you be a surrogate mother After Preeclampsia?

As preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy condition that may recur in later pregnancies, seek a physician’s advice. It may be very dangerous for both mother and baby’s safety.

 Preeclampsia is a condition that can cause high blood pressure, kidney damage, and other problems that can be very dangerous for you and the baby you are carrying. It may sometimes be even life-threatening.

If you have had preeclampsia in your previous pregnancies, you may develop it again in later pregnancies, which may prevent you from surrogacy.

• Can you be a surrogate after uterine surgery?

No, pregnancy is impossible after uterine surgery, as it destroys parts of or the whole of the uterus.

 

• Can you be a surrogate after having an abortion?

Pregnancy is not likely to occur after an abortion. Because it removes the thin layer of the uterine lining, making implantation of the embryo more difficult. Even if you become pregnant after an abortion, the risk of miscarriage and other pregnancy challenges increases. If you experience an abortion, many clinics do not allow you to be a surrogate mother.

 

• Can I rent my uterus with endometriosis?

Endometriosis can make it harder for you to conceive and increase the risk of miscarriage.

It is advisable to talk to your doctor about whether the severity of your condition can affect your ability to carry a baby successfully.

When tissues such as the lining of the uterus begin to grow in other organs, such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes, they cause a condition called endometriosis.

Every woman is at risk for endometriosis. Endometriosis is a long-term chronic condition.

 

• Can I be a surrogate if I have diabetes?

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it is harder to control blood glucose levels during pregnancy. However, you may also have a healthy pregnancy with diabetes. But many may deprive you of becoming a surrogate mother, because there will be risks to both you and the baby. Like other pregnancies, surrogacy is associated with a high risk of developing gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes that persists throughout pregnancy until the baby is born. Not only is this dangerous for you as a pregnant woman, but it can also affect your baby’s growth rate.

If you have a history of gestational diabetes, you may be immediately denied the right to become a surrogate.

These were a general answer to your possible questions. It is advisable to consult a specialist before making a final decision.

You can contact our experts to find out about the conditions of surrogacy in Iran or even the laws related to surrogacy.

Written by: Sh. Khazaei

Translated by: N. Rahimifar