Going independent usually helps to save money for expensive agency costs. There are several online sites and social media groups where you will be able to find independent surrogates. However, remember that some women, who are interested in being a surrogate, might not be fully qualified to be a surrogate. An established agency is able to review surrogate qualifications and carry out a full screening of their background. Below are the “basic” requirements for women to qualify as a surrogate –
- Wants to be a surrogate for the right reasons
- Age of the surrogate depends on the country, but most clinics prefer women to be between 21-45 years of age
- Should have given birth to at least one child, which was mostly without any complications
- Has a healthy BMI. This depends on the country is most cases
- Has a responsible and healthy lifestyle, is herself a non-smoker, and lives in a non-smoking environment
- Family is on-board with her decision to be a surrogate, and is willing to support her through the journey
- Has a stable home environment
- Should be willing to undergo a medical and psychological assessment
- No history of any kind of mental illness
- Lives in a surrogate friendly country (as per your country’s laws). Sometimes, it might be possible for the surrogate to travel to a close-by state, which might be surrogate friendly. Remember that travel is risky in later stages of pregnancy.