Are you considering becoming a surrogate mother but aren’t sure you’re the “right” age? How important is age when it comes to surrogacy?

There are many requirements that surrogate candidates must meet before starting their journey, and while you may not be disqualified from age alone, it is a very important factor. 

Age limits are put in place to protect the health of the surrogate and the baby. Although a woman over a certain age may be able to carry a child, there is a higher risk of complications, including hypertension and preeclampsia. 

Read on to learn more about the ideal age for surrogacy. 

What is the age requirement for surrogates at SPS?

Here at Surrogate Parenting Services (SPS), we follow the guidelines set forth by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) to determine the eligibility of surrogates. 

The ASRM recommends that gestational surrogates be between 21 and 45 years old. In some situations, surrogates can be older than 45, but all parties involved “must be informed of the potential risks of pregnancy with advancing maternal age.”

The fertility clinics we work with at SPS have an age limit of 40, so we require our surrogates to be between 21 and 40 years old.

While it’s not a requirement, we also strongly recommend that surrogates finish building their family before they begin their surrogacy journey. So, if you are considering surrogacy and are on the younger side of this age range, this is important to keep in mind. 

Our team recently attended the annual ASRM conference in Anaheim, California, where we connected with other third party reproductive care professionals. We attended roundtable discussions, breakout sessions, and presentations on current research and the future of reproductive care. It’s important to the SPS team to keep up on the developments in reproductive care so that we can better serve our intended parents and surrogates, and we were honored to attend.  

Surrogate Parenting Services team at ASRM Conference

What are the other requirements to be a surrogate with SPS?

To become a surrogate with Surrogate Parenting Services, you must:

  • Have had one or more easy pregnancies and deliveries.
  • Be between the ages of 21 and 40.
  • Be at a healthy weight.
  • Have at least one child of your own living with you.
  • Be a non-smoker.
  • Have reliable transportation.
  • Be financially stable.
  • Have a desire to help another in a special way.
  • … And love being pregnant! 

Related reading: What Disqualifies Me from Being a Surrogate Mother?

Learn More About Becoming a Surrogate with Surrogate Parenting Services 

Surrogate Parenting Services is proud to celebrate over 30 years of helping to bring dreams to life! Founded in 1990, Surrogate Parenting Services (SPS) is a full-service surrogacy program that offers both parties an exceptionally supportive environment throughout the surrogacy relationship. We’re passionate about creating ideal matches between surrogates and intended parents, so the journey is fulfilling for both sides and the future child is brought into this world in the best possible circumstances.   

Learn more about our Surrogacy Program online or by calling 949-363-9525.