What are the restrictions to follow for a surrogate mother?

Some stringent health requirements are essential to become a surrogate. A complete physical along with psychological screening procedures are conducted before starts the medical process. But apart from these, certain health-related restrictions must be cleared before a woman trying to start her surrogacy journey. 

Age restriction

Usually, surrogacy agencies set an age limit for surrogate mothers. Preferably 21 to 41 years age is considered to be ideal for a surrogate. Increasing age can cause complications in the IVF process which leads to unsuccessful pregnancy. 

Bodyweight specification

Women with BMI ranges between 19 to 33 are usually considered under the healthy weight range. Below as well as over this range restrict a woman to become a surrogate mother. 

Is there any restriction for women with tubal ligation to join in surrogacy?

There is no medical restriction for women who want to be gestational surrogates with a history of tubal ligation. But it cannot be possible for traditional surrogacy. In traditional surrogacy, surrogate eggs are used, therefore regular ovulation is essential. But tubal ligation halts the ovulation. But in gestational surrogacy, eggs are collected from the intended mother or donor for fertilization. The created embryo is implanted in the surrogate’s womb for gestation. 

HIV positive

Woman with HIV positive never become a surrogate, as HIV crosses the placental barrier and transmit to the developing fetus. 

Women with a previous medical history of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a condition associated with hypertension and can damage the kidney. These complications may cause a life-threatening condition to the surrogate. The chances of relapsing preeclampsia are high in patients with a previous history of preeclampsia. Therefore, women with a previous medical history of preeclampsia are disqualified for surrogacy. 

Women have had an ablation

After the conduction of ablation, pregnancy cannot be possible, therefore the chances of traditional surrogacy are completely negative. Even after ablation, women have difficulty in embryo implantation, which can cause miscarriage or other pregnancy-related complications. Therefore, gestational surrogacy also not possible for women who have had an ablation. 

Women with endometriosis

Endometriosis causes difficulty to conceive as well as increases the risk of miscarriage. Therefore, women with endometriosis are not eligible for surrogacy.

Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

The major drawback of PCOS is obstructed to conceive. However, women with PCOS have an increase in developing endometrial gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and endometrial cancer. High possibility of giving birth to the pre-term baby and requirement of cesarean-section. 

Female with adenomyosis 

Adenomyosis is a condition that occurs when endometrial tissue begins to grow into the uterine muscular layers. This leads to difficulty in embryo implantation. Although hormonal therapy can treat the condition, the doctor is the ultimate decision-maker to select a woman with adenomyosis as a surrogate or not. But women with adenomyosis are restricted to become a surrogate. 

Menopausal woman 

Surrogacy agencies are not accepted menopausal women as surrogate mothers. 

Previous pregnancy condition 

Surrogacy agencies preferred a woman as a surrogate mother who has previous experience in the delivered child. This will help to identify the previous history of miscarriage, preterm labor, placenta previa, or other issues. The previous history of such a medical issue restricts a woman to become a surrogate mother. 

Pregnancy difference

A woman can only eligible to become a surrogate after three months gap of vaginal delivery and at least six months gap of C-section.

Even nursing woman also has restriction to become surrogate, as breastfeeding causes ovulation disturbances. Therefore, a nursing woman needs to stop breastfeeding before applying for surrogacy. 

Mental health illness

Women who are under treatment of anti-depressants should not be allowed for surrogacy. Surrogate mother usually faces emotional challenges after relinquishing the child to the intended parents. Women with mental ill-health may worsen their condition during the surrogacy journey. 

Women with Sickel Cell anemia

Women with Sickel Cell anemia cannot be surrogate mothers. Sickel Cell anemia increases certain pregnancy risks like miscarriage, premature delivery, low birth weight. 

Reference:

https://surrogate.com/surrogates/pregnancy-and-health/surrogate-health-requirements/