Six Reasons to Use a Surrogate Mother

Surrogacy is no longer a rare or mysterious option. In the United States, it’s a well-established, legally protected path to parenthood for individuals and couples who, for various reasons, cannot carry a pregnancy themselves. With advances in medical technology, surrogacy has become increasingly accessible, offering hope, choice, and a family to people who might otherwise go without.

Whether due to medical issues, age, or lifestyle, surrogacy can be the right answer—and in many cases, the only answer.

Let’s get straight to it: here are six common and very real reasons why people choose to work with a surrogate mother.

Six Reasons to Consider a Surrogate Mother

There is no single profile for intended parents. Surrogacy serves many different needs. Below are the six major reasons why individuals and couples in the U.S. turn to gestational surrogacy. Each reason is valid, deeply personal, and deserves to be acknowledged without judgment.

1. Age

Let’s be honest—age matters. Female fertility starts to decline sharply after the age of 35, and by the early 40s, natural conception and carrying a pregnancy to term become significantly riskier. Many women in their late 30s or 40s find themselves ready for motherhood emotionally and financially, but their bodies may not cooperate.

Egg freezing and embryo preservation have helped extend reproductive timelines, but age still takes a toll on the uterus and overall pregnancy health. For women who have viable eggs (or frozen embryos) but are advised not to carry a child themselves due to age-related risks, surrogacy offers a safe and successful alternative.

2. Lack of a Uterus

Some women are born without a uterus (a condition known as Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome), while others lose their uterus due to cancer, fibroids, or complications from previous births. No uterus means no pregnancy. It’s that simple.

Surrogacy is the only option for these individuals to have a biological child. The embryo is created using their egg and their partner’s (or a donor’s) sperm and then implanted into the uterus of a gestational carrier.

This modern solution gives women born without the ability to carry a child the chance to become biological mothers.

3. Same-Sex Couples

For male same-sex couples, surrogacy is often the only route to having a biological child. One partner provides the sperm, and a surrogate carries the pregnancy using either a donated egg or, in some cases, a close relative’s egg. It’s a beautiful way to grow a family while maintaining a genetic connection.

Female same-sex couples sometimes pursue reciprocal IVF—where one partner provides the egg and the other carries the baby. But if both partners are unable or unwilling to carry a child for medical or personal reasons, surrogacy is again the clear solution.

Surrogacy gives LGBTQ+ families the opportunity to have children in a way that is biologically connected and legally protected in many U.S. states. For legal clarity and protections, intended parents are encouraged to review resources like usa.gov and consult with a fertility attorney.

4. Uterine Structural Problems

Even with a uterus, not all women can safely carry a pregnancy. Structural abnormalities such as fibroids, polyps, a thin uterine lining, or a history of repeated miscarriages can prevent successful implantation or increase the risk of pregnancy complications.

In many of these cases, women undergo years of fertility treatment and emotional distress before learning that surrogacy might be the best and most reliable path forward. Medical professionals often recommend surrogacy after failed IVF cycles or repeated loss—especially when the embryo quality is good, but the uterus just can’t support a pregnancy.

For more on reproductive health guidance, you can visit government resources such as cdc.gov.

5. Other Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions make pregnancy dangerous—or even life-threatening. Conditions like severe heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders (like lupus), or a history of cancer treatments can all make pregnancy unsafe.

In such cases, it’s not just about risk to the baby, but about the mother’s life as well. Gestational surrogacy provides a life-saving solution for those who can produce healthy eggs but cannot withstand the physical demands of pregnancy.

This is not a rare scenario. Thousands of women in the U.S. face this reality every year. Organizations like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (hhs.gov) offer information on high-risk pregnancies and reproductive options.

6. Personal Decision

Let’s be clear—choosing surrogacy doesn’t always require a medical reason. Some individuals or couples simply decide that surrogacy is the right choice for their lifestyle, their careers, or their mental and emotional well-being.

In some cases, trauma from previous births, severe anxiety about pregnancy, or even a deep desire to avoid passing on genetic conditions can lead someone to surrogacy. And that’s okay.

The decision to use a surrogate is always a personal one. What matters is that the choice is made with care, integrity, and support—from medical professionals, legal experts, and a reliable surrogacy agency. There are legal guidelines and protections available at the federal and state level, and a great starting point for general legal and parental rights resources is congress.gov.

Conclusion

Surrogacy isn’t for everyone, but for many—it’s the path that finally leads to parenthood after years of struggle, heartache, or waiting for the right moment. In the U.S., surrogacy is supported by a well-established medical and legal framework, making it one of the most accessible and safe options in the world.

Whether due to age, medical conditions, biological limitations, or simply a deeply personal choice, using a surrogate mother can be an empowering, joyful, and life-changing decision.

If you're considering surrogacy, know this: you're not alone, you're not unusual, and you're not without options. With the right guidance and a compassionate team by your side, parenthood is absolutely within reach.