Thinking about becoming a Surrogate? You’re already showing one of the most important qualities agencies look for: a generous heart!

But there’s more to being an amazing Surrogate than just wanting to help families grow. Surrogacy agencies in Illinois and across the country have developed comprehensive criteria to ensure both your safety and the best possible outcomes for everyone involved.

Let’s dive into what makes a truly exceptional Surrogate candidate!

The Heart of It All: Your “Why” Matters Most

Before we talk about the technical requirements, let’s start with what really matters: your motivation!

The best Surrogates aren’t just looking for extra income. They’re driven by genuine desire to help Intended Parents experience the joy of parenthood! Agencies look for women who light up when talking about creating families and who understand the profound gift they’re offering.

You should have a solid support system too. Your family and friends need to be on board with your decision because this journey affects everyone close to you!

Physical Health: The Foundation of Success

Age and Pregnancy History

Most Illinois surrogacy agencies prefer Surrogates between 21 and 40 years old. This age range represents the sweet spot for healthy pregnancies!

Here’s what agencies typically require:

• At least one successful, full-term pregnancy and delivery
• Previous births at 38+ weeks gestation
• No more than 5 total pregnancies
• Maximum of 3 previous C-sections

Your Current Health Status

Agencies need to know you’re in excellent physical shape! This includes:

• BMI under 30-32 (varies by agency)
• Regular menstrual cycles
• No smoking, drug use, or excessive drinking
• Up-to-date on all medical care and vaccinations

You’ll undergo comprehensive medical screening including blood work, infectious disease testing, and a thorough OB-GYN evaluation. Don’t worry, this isn’t meant to be intimidating! It’s all about ensuring the healthiest possible pregnancy for everyone.

Emotional and Mental Readiness

Psychological Strength

Surrogacy is an emotional journey, and agencies want to make sure you’re mentally prepared!

Great Surrogate candidates demonstrate:

• Emotional maturity and stability
• Ability to handle stress effectively
• Clear understanding of the surrogacy process
• Realistic expectations about the journey ahead

You’ll meet with a counselor who specializes in reproductive psychology. This isn’t a test to “pass.” It’s support to help you succeed!

Communication Skills

The best Surrogates are excellent communicators! You’ll be working closely with your Intended Parents throughout the pregnancy, sharing updates, attending appointments together, and navigating this incredible experience as a team.

Lifestyle and Background Essentials

Financial Stability

Here’s something important: you can’t be receiving government assistance (except in rare cases involving disabled children). This requirement ensures that Intended Parents know you’re choosing surrogacy for the right reasons, not out of financial desperation.

Clean Background

Both you and your partner will undergo background checks. Agencies need to verify:

• No felony convictions
• Clean criminal history
• Stable living situation
• US citizenship and residency in a surrogacy-friendly state

Illinois is fantastic for surrogacy, with strong legal protections for everyone involved!

Current Parenting

Most agencies prefer that you’re actively raising at least one child. This shows you understand the realities of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. It also demonstrates your nurturing abilities!

The Medical Side: What to Expect

Fertility Treatments and Monitoring

Amazing Surrogates are comfortable with medical procedures! You’ll need to:

• Take fertility medications as prescribed
• Receive hormone injections (some subcutaneous, some intramuscular)
• Attend regular monitoring appointments
• Follow your medical team’s guidance throughout the process

Don’t panic if needles make you nervous! Many agencies provide training, and you’ll have support every step of the way.

Working with Your Medical Team

You’ll be working with reproductive endocrinologists who are absolute experts in their field! They’ll monitor your cycle, perform the embryo transfer, and ensure everything progresses smoothly.

The best Surrogates are reliable about appointments and medication schedules. Your consistency directly impacts the success of the journey!

The Screening Process: Your Path to Success

Initial Application

Your journey starts with a comprehensive application covering your medical history, lifestyle, and motivations. Be thorough and honest. Agencies want to get to know the real you!

Medical Evaluation

This includes:

• Complete physical exam
• OB-GYN evaluation with updated Pap smear
• Blood work and infectious disease screening
• Saline infusion sonohysterography
• Review of all previous pregnancy records

Psychological Assessment

You’ll meet with a mental health professional who specializes in reproductive psychology. They’re not trying to find problems. They’re ensuring you have the tools and support to thrive!

Background Investigation

The agency will verify your background, employment, and living situation. This protects everyone involved and builds trust between you and your Intended Parents.

Special Considerations for Illinois Surrogates

Illinois has some of the most progressive surrogacy laws in the country! This creates a safe, supportive environment for both Surrogates and Intended Parents.

The state recognizes gestational surrogacy agreements and provides clear legal frameworks that protect everyone’s rights. This means you can focus on the joy of your journey without worrying about legal complications!

Making the Big Decision

Is This Right for You?

Take time to really consider whether surrogacy aligns with your life right now. The best Surrogates are:

• Completely finished building their own families
• Able to commit 12-15 months to the process
• Excited about helping others become parents
• Supported by their families and partners

Questions to Ask Yourself

• Am I doing this for the right reasons?
• Do I have adequate support at home?
• Can I handle the physical and emotional demands?
• Am I prepared for the screening process?

Working with Golden Surrogacy

If you’re considering becoming a Surrogate in Illinois, we’d love to learn more about you! At Golden Surrogacy, we pride ourselves on supporting incredible women through this life-changing journey.

Our team understands that every woman’s situation is unique. While we maintain high standards to ensure success, we also recognize that exceptional Surrogates come from all walks of life!

Ready to explore whether surrogacy might be right for you? Contact our team to start a conversation! We’re here to answer your questions and help you understand what this amazing journey could look like.

Your Next Steps

The fact that you’re reading this article shows you have a generous heart and genuine interest in helping others! Those are already two of the most important qualities agencies look for.

If you meet the basic Surrogate requirements and feel excited about the possibility of becoming a Surrogate, don’t let perfectionism hold you back. Many agencies work with candidates on a case-by-case basis and understand that extraordinary women sometimes have unique circumstances.

Your journey to becoming a Surrogate starts with a single conversation. Why not make today the day you take that first step toward changing a family’s life forever?

The families you could help are out there right now, dreaming of the day they’ll hold their baby for the first time. You have the power to make those dreams come true!