The Surrogate Screening Process

Surrogate Prescreening

Becoming a Surrogate: What to Expect

Becoming a surrogate is a deeply rewarding experience—but it’s also a serious responsibility. To ensure a safe and successful journey for everyone involved, the first step is a thorough surrogate screening process. This process is designed to protect your health, the health of the baby, and the hopes of the intended parents.

Prescreening helps us identify candidates who are physically, emotionally, and logistically ready to become gestational carriers. It’s not just a formality—it’s the foundation of trust, safety, and care throughout the entire surrogacy journey.

In Prescreening We Will Gather the Following Information About You:

Health and Pregnancy History
We’ll collect detailed information about your previous pregnancies and overall reproductive health. Ideal candidates have had uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries. This part of the process helps ensure that you’re medically qualified to carry a healthy pregnancy.

Criminal and Financial Background Checks
For the safety of all parties, a background check is conducted to screen for any criminal history. We also check for financial stability to ensure you’re in a secure place to take on the responsibilities of surrogacy. Financial stress can impact emotional wellness during pregnancy, and we want to make sure you have the support you need.

Insurance Information
We review your current health insurance policy to determine whether it can be used during the surrogacy process. If not, a supplemental or surrogate-friendly policy will be arranged by the agency or the intended parents. It’s important that both you and the baby are fully covered from the beginning.

Medical Records
We’ll request and review your OB/GYN records, including labor and delivery notes, postpartum follow-ups, and any surgical history related to reproductive health. These records help fertility doctors assess your eligibility to carry a pregnancy for someone else.

Your Surrogacy Consultation

During Your Surrogacy Consultation, You Will Answer Questions and Share Information On:

1. Your Motivation for Wanting to Become a Surrogate: Your reason matters—and helps shape your journey.
2. Your Pregnancy History: We’ll talk in more detail about your past pregnancies, any complications, and how you felt emotionally and physically.
3. Your Family and Interpersonal Relationships: We’ll ask about your relationships with your partner, children, and close family members.
4. Any Hobbies, Interests, and Life Experiences: This helps in matching you with parents who share your values and lifestyle.
5. Who Your Support Network Will Be: Whether it’s a partner, parent, sibling, or best friend, having a reliable support system is essential.

Medical Records

Medical records from your OB/GYN, hospital visits, and primary care provider are reviewed by fertility specialists to ensure there are no contraindications for pregnancy. If you’ve had a C-section, we’ll also review surgical notes. These documents are a crucial part of the medical clearance process.

Government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide guidance on reproductive health and pregnancy: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/index.html

Psychological Exam

Surrogacy is not only a physical commitment—it’s also an emotional one. That’s why all surrogates complete a psychological screening with a licensed mental health professional. This conversation explores your understanding of surrogacy, how you cope with stress, and your emotional readiness for the experience.

The National Institute of Mental Health offers helpful resources about maternal mental health and emotional wellness during reproductive care: https://www.nimh.nih.gov

We also provide counseling and emotional support throughout your journey. If you ever need help, someone from our team is always a phone call away.

For more guidance on behavioral health during family-building processes, you can visit: https://www.samhsa.gov

What Happens After the Screening Process?

Once you’ve successfully completed screening, it’s time for the most exciting step: matching with intended parents! Our team works carefully to pair you with people whose values, expectations, and personalities align with yours. We want this relationship to feel good from the very beginning.

Matches are made based on:

• Communication preferences
• Level of openness desired
• Cultural or religious considerations
• Geographic preferences
• Lifestyle compatibility

After matching, you’ll move into the legal and medical phases of the journey. But thanks to thorough screening, you’ll feel confident, prepared, and supported every step of the way.

For more about family-building resources and legal considerations, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services is a great place to start: https://www.hhs.gov

Conclusion

The surrogate screening process is designed with one goal: to protect everyone involved. From your health history to your emotional readiness, every step is handled with care, confidentiality, and compassion.

When you choose to become a surrogate, you’re doing something extraordinary. And you deserve to be supported by a team that sees you, values you, and walks with you every step of the way.

If you’re ready to explore surrogacy, our screening process will help you begin with confidence—and heart.