What You Should Consider About Being a Surrogate in Your 30s

Your 30s are an exciting time in your life. You might be starting to feel more established in the life you’ve built so far, while still having so much life left ahead of you. If you don’t’ have plans to grow your family, but miss being pregnant, you might have considered surrogacy.

To get more information about what surrogacy might look like for you, get in touch with a surrogacy professional today.

We have good news for you: Becoming a surrogate in your 30s is definitely an option — and a common path that women who have surrogacy dreams take.

Every woman’s situation is different but, if you are considering surrogacy in your 30s, there are some important things you should know first. That’s why we’ve created this guide to being a gestational surrogate in this decade of your life.  Below, find more information on exactly how you can be a surrogate as a 30-something and what you should consider before starting this life-changing process.

Can You Be a Surrogate in Your 30s?

For many women, their 30s is a time of relative health, stability and happiness. Looking at their current lifestyle, they may decide that now is the time to pursue one of their dreams: becoming a gestational carrier.

Surrogacy professionals know this is the situation for many women, which is why the ideal candidate for gestational surrogacy is a woman in this decade of her life. In fact, most women who become surrogates are in their 30s, as well as their late 20s. Given the responsibilities and requirements of the surrogacy process, this time simply makes the most sense for many women moving forward with this journey.

That said, being in your 30s is just one of the signs that you may be a good gestational carrier. Whether you want to become a surrogate at 33, a surrogate at 36 years old, or at any other age in this decade, you must also meet a few other important requirements:

• Have successfully carried a pregnancy to term with no major complications
• Be raising a child in your own home
• Have a healthy BMI
• Have completed your family
• Not be on government assistance

You can read the full requirements to be a gestational carrier here. While certain requirements can be waived on a case-by-case basis, others cannot. So, if you’re interested in being a gestational carrier in your 30s, we encourage you to speak with a surrogacy professional to determine your eligibility.

3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Becoming a Surrogate in Your 30s

Similarly, just because you may meet all of the health requirements to be a surrogate doesn’t necessarily mean that surrogacy is the right choice for you. Being a surrogate is a big commitment; it’s a decision you should only make once you have fully considered all the pros and cons of this journey.

Talking to a surrogacy professional can be a great first step in your research. We always encourage all women in their 30s to ask themselves these questions before deciding surrogacy is right for them:

1. Am I familiar with the realities of the gestational surrogacy process?

Being a surrogate seems like a wonderful journey — and it is! Carrying a child for someone else will give you a sense of accomplishment and pride that few other things in the world can.

However, there are a lot of misconceptions out there about how surrogacy really works. It’s likely that you’ve even heard a few of them. So, your first step should always be to thoroughly research this journey you’re considering. Do you really understand how it works — and what it will require from you?

This website is a good place to start, as are surrogacy professionals. You should make sure your (and your spouse’s) questions are fully answered before you move forward.

2. Am I ready for the risks and responsibilities of the surrogacy process?

In doing your research, you should learn more about the hard parts of surrogacy. Every woman who becomes a gestational carrier must take on certain risks and responsibilities. Even though you are in your health prime in your 30s, there will still be certain dangers that come from pregnancy and childbirth. You should be aware of and prepared for them.

Similarly, you should think about how the responsibilities of surrogacy will affect your everyday life. You will be expected to attend many doctors’ appointments, meetings with the intended parents and more. Being a surrogate is about more than just being pregnant; it’s about creating a successful partnership with the intended parents. It will require you to give a great deal of your time and energy during the year or more that you work with them.

3. How will my surrogacy journey impact the rest of my family?

If you’re in your 30s and considering surrogacy, it means that you have already had children and are currently raising them. Bu, have you thought about what your choice to be a surrogate will mean for them?

When you are pregnant, you may not have the same energy to care for your children as you’re used to. Add in the extra responsibilities of managing a surrogacy partnership, and you may not be able to be the kind of parent you’re used to being. Your spouse (if you have one) will need to pick up that slack, and your whole family should be comfortable with the sacrifices you will make during this process. We encourage all prospective surrogates to have an honest conversation with their immediate family members before starting the process to be a surrogate in their 30s. Setting up a solid support system prior to starting this journey will play a huge role in your success maintaining your family responsibilities and your surrogate responsibilities, too.

Become a Surrogate in Your 30s Today

If you’ve seriously considered all the aspects of gestational surrogacy and are ready to start the process, congratulations! You are one step closer to making your surrogacy dreams come true.

Any surrogacy professional will happily work with you if you are in your 30s and meet all the necessary requirements for this journey. You are an ideal surrogacy candidate. For more information or to get started today, reach out to a surrogacy professional now.