Can I Be a Surrogate With CMV?

Yes, you may still be able to become a surrogate if you’ve had Cytomegalovirus (CMV) or tested positive for CMV antibodies. A past infection generally doesn’t disqualify you, although a recent or active infection may affect when you can move forward with surrogacy.

Your eligibility will depend on your specific test results, overall health and whether you meet the fertility clinic’s medical requirements.

Connect with a surrogacy professional to discuss your CMV history, learn how your results may affect your eligibility and find out what steps you can take toward becoming a surrogate.

What Does a Positive CMV Test Mean for Surrogacy?

A positive CMV test can mean different things depending on which antibodies are detected. Fertility clinics typically look at two types of antibodies to help determine whether you’ve had CMV in the past or may have a recent infection.

• CMV IgG: A positive result generally indicates a past CMV infection. These antibodies typically remain in your body for life and don’t automatically disqualify you from surrogacy.
• CMV IgM: A positive result may suggest a recent infection, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have an active infection. Additional testing may be needed to determine when the infection occurred.

Your fertility clinic will interpret your results together to determine whether your CMV status could affect your eligibility or require further evaluation before embryo transfer.

Can You Be a Surrogate if You Had CMV in the Past?

Yes, you can generally still become a surrogate if you’ve had CMV in the past. A positive CMV IgG result with a negative IgM result typically indicates a past infection rather than a recent one, which generally won’t disqualify you from surrogacy.

Once you’ve had CMV, the virus remains in your body, but it usually stays inactive. Having a previous infection is different from having a recent or active infection, which may require additional evaluation before moving forward.

Your fertility clinic will review your CMV test results and overall medical history to determine whether you’re medically cleared for embryo transfer. Past exposure alone doesn’t necessarily prevent you from qualifying.

What if You Have a Recent or Active CMV Infection?

If your screening results suggest a recent or active CMV infection, your fertility clinic may delay your embryo transfer until it’s safe to proceed. This is because CMV can pose risks to a developing baby if the virus is transmitted during pregnancy.

A positive CMV IgM result may indicate a recent infection, but it doesn’t automatically confirm one. Your fertility clinic may recommend additional testing to determine whether the infection is recent or active before making a decision about your eligibility.

If further testing confirms a recent infection, you may need to wait before moving forward with surrogacy. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re permanently disqualified. Your fertility clinic will determine when you can safely proceed based on your follow-up results and medical clearance.

Why Does CMV Matter During a Surrogate Pregnancy?

CMV can be transmitted from a surrogate to the baby during pregnancy, potentially causing congenital CMV (cCMV). This infection can lead to complications such as hearing loss, vision problems and developmental delays, although many babies born with CMV have no symptoms.

The risk of transmission is generally higher when someone contracts CMV for the first time during pregnancy compared to a past infection. This is why fertility clinics carefully review CMV test results and may delay embryo transfer if there’s evidence of a recent or active infection.

What Other Requirements Are There to Become a Surrogate?

Your CMV results are only one part of determining whether you qualify for surrogacy. Agencies and fertility clinics also consider your pregnancy history, overall health and lifestyle when reviewing your eligibility. Common surrogate qualifications include:

• Age and BMI: Generally between 21 and 40 years old, with a BMI between 19 and 35.
• Pregnancy Experience: At least one healthy, full-term pregnancy without significant complications.
• Parenting Status: Currently raising at least one child.
• Physical and Mental Health: Healthy enough to carry another pregnancy, with some programs restricting prescription medications for depression or anxiety.
• Lifestyle and Background: No felony convictions, smoking or illicit drug use.

These requirements can vary depending on the agency and fertility clinic. Even if your CMV results don’t raise concerns, you’ll still need to meet the other qualifications before moving forward with surrogacy.

How Does Surrogate Medical Screening Work if You Have CMV?

Your surrogacy agency will first review your health and pregnancy history, including any previous complications or medical conditions that could affect your eligibility. This initial review helps determine whether you meet the basic requirements to move forward.

If you qualify, the intended parents’ fertility clinic will conduct its own medical screening, which typically includes bloodwork, a physical exam and infectious disease testing. The clinic will review your CMV results to determine whether they indicate past exposure or a possible recent infection.

If your results suggest a recent infection, the clinic may recommend additional testing before making a decision. Your fertility clinic will ultimately determine whether you’re medically cleared to proceed with embryo transfer.

Find Out if Your CMV Results Affect Your Surrogate Eligibility

If you’ve tested positive for CMV or had a past infection, a surrogacy professional can help you begin the eligibility process. The intended parents’ fertility clinic will then evaluate your CMV results to determine whether you’re medically cleared for embryo transfer.

Connect with a surrogacy professional to discuss your CMV history, begin the eligibility process and find out whether your test results could affect your surrogacy timeline.

What if You Don’t Qualify for Surrogacy?

If CMV or another medical condition means you don’t qualify for surrogacy, it can be disappointing, especially if you were looking forward to helping another family. However, there are still ways you can make a difference.

You can support other surrogates or participate in programs like American Surrogacy’s surrogate referral program, which offers compensation for referring potential surrogates. This gives you another way to help intended parents achieve their dreams of parenthood.