Can I Be a Surrogate if I’ve Had a Miscarriage?

Yes, you may still be able to become a surrogate if you’ve had a miscarriage. A previous pregnancy loss does not automatically disqualify you, especially if you’ve also had a healthy, full-term pregnancy.

Surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics look at your complete pregnancy history, including any complications and how you’ve recovered, when determining eligibility. Even if you’ve experienced a miscarriage, you may still meet the medical requirements to help another family.

Connect with a surrogacy professional to discuss your pregnancy history and find out whether you may qualify to become a surrogate.

When Does a Previous Miscarriage Affect Surrogate Eligibility?

Having one miscarriage generally won’t prevent you from becoming a surrogate, especially if you’ve also had a healthy, full-term pregnancy. Early miscarriages are common and often result from chromosomal abnormalities rather than an underlying reproductive health issue.

However, certain complications or medical conditions associated with a miscarriage may affect your eligibility, including:

• Severe bleeding or infection that required medical intervention
• Uterine scarring or damage following a miscarriage
• Underlying conditions, such as uterine abnormalities or fibroids
• Pregnancy loss later in pregnancy that may indicate a higher risk of future complications

Surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics consider when the miscarriage occurred, whether complications developed and your overall pregnancy history to determine if you can safely carry another pregnancy.

Can You Be a Surrogate After Multiple Miscarriages?

Having multiple miscarriages may affect your ability to become a surrogate because recurrent pregnancy loss can indicate an underlying medical condition or an increased risk of future complications.

Fertility clinics may look for potential causes, such as blood-clotting disorders, thyroid conditions or uterine abnormalities. Even if you’ve had successful pregnancies between miscarriages, your complete pregnancy history will be considered during screening.

While multiple miscarriages don’t automatically rule out surrogacy, agencies and fertility clinics may have stricter requirements or request additional testing before determining whether you qualify.

Can You Be a Surrogate After a D&C?

Having a dilation and curettage (D&C) after a miscarriage rarely prevents you from becoming a surrogate. This is a common procedure used to remove tissue from the uterus, and most women recover without complications.

During medical screening, fertility clinics may check for uterine scarring or other concerns that could affect a future pregnancy. This may involve an ultrasound or a procedure called a hysteroscopy to examine the inside of the uterus.

If you’ve recovered well and your screening results show no concerns, a previous D&C is unlikely to affect your eligibility.

What Are the General Requirements to Become a Surrogate?

Agencies and fertility clinics consider your overall health, pregnancy history and lifestyle to make sure you’re prepared for a healthy surrogacy journey. Common surrogate requirements include:

• Age: Between 21 and 40 years old
• BMI: Between 19 and 35
• Pregnancy History: At least one previous healthy, successful pregnancy with no major complications
• Family: Currently raising at least one child
• Criminal Background: No felony convictions
• Lifestyle: No smoking, nicotine use or illicit drug use
• Mental Health: Stable mental health and the ability to meet program requirements regarding certain prescription medications for depression or anxiety

Each agency and fertility clinic has its own screening standards, so eligibility may vary depending on the program you choose.

How Does Medical Screening Work After a Miscarriage?

If you’ve had a miscarriage, medical screening helps determine whether your pregnancy history and recovery meet the requirements for surrogacy. The process typically involves two stages:

• Agency Pre-Screening: Your surrogacy agency reviews your medical and pregnancy records, including details about your miscarriage, any complications and previous successful pregnancies.
• Fertility Clinic Evaluation: The intended parents’ fertility clinic independently reviews your medical history and may perform additional testing, such as bloodwork or an ultrasound, before approving you for embryo transfer.

Psychological screening may also include discussing your previous pregnancy loss, how you’ve coped with the experience and whether you feel emotionally ready to carry another pregnancy.

These evaluations are designed to protect everyone involved, especially your physical and emotional well-being, while helping ensure a safe and positive surrogacy experience for you and the intended parents.

Find Out if You Qualify to Become a Surrogate

If you’ve experienced a miscarriage but have also had healthy pregnancies, you may still be a great candidate for surrogacy. Your pregnancy history is unique, and a previous loss doesn’t have to prevent you from helping another family.

An experienced surrogacy professional can help you review your pregnancy history, explain how agency and fertility clinic requirements apply to your situation and identify any potential concerns before you apply.

Connect with a surrogacy professional today to explore your eligibility and find out what steps you can take toward becoming a surrogate.

What if I Don’t Qualify?

Finding out you don’t qualify to become a surrogate can be disappointing, but it doesn’t always mean your journey is over.

Ask a surrogacy professional whether the concern is temporary or permanent. Some health factors may change over time, allowing you to qualify in the future.

If surrogacy isn’t an option, you can still help families through surrogate referral programs. For example, American Surrogacy’s referral program allows you to recommend someone who may qualify to become a surrogate, giving you another meaningful way to help intended parents achieve their dreams of parenthood.