Whether you are already a grandparent or it’s just been a really long time since you were last pregnant, you may wonder if you can become a Surrogate. We meet women from all walks of life and all ages who would love to give the gift of parenthood to others but are worried that they are too old or that their uterus has “gone stale”.
Let’s just get straight to the facts…
Even grandmothers can become Surrogates.
You do not need to be a young mother to become a Surrogate. Many Surrogates have adult children and even grandchildren of their own. If you’re in good health and feel called to become a Surrogate, surrogacy is possible even in your 40s and 50s.
Surrogacy is possible for women who have experienced menopause.
Thanks to advancements in medical technology, even women who have undergone the change of life are able to become pregnant. Through hormone therapy and in-vitro fertilization (IVF), mature women are able to carry a child for others.
Your uterus doesn’t go stale.
We promise your uterus didn’t gather cobwebs in the time since you last gave birth. Even if your youngest child is an adult, you may still be able to be a surrogate. The amount of time that has passed since your last pregnancy has no bearing on whether or not you can become a surrogate.
What about my “old eggs”?
As fertility and infertility become more common subjects we often hear discussions about the quality of a woman’s eggs declining as she ages. In surrogacy, your eggs are not used at all. You will not have a genetic link to the child you carry and so the age of your eggs is completely irrelevant.
You can be a Surrogate if your tubes are tied.
Even women who have chosen to undergo permanent birth control such as tubal ligation are still able to become Surrogates. Because the egg that is used to create the embryo will not be yours, your fallopian tubes will not be needed!
Are there additional risks for Surrogate who are older?
Generally speaking, older women are at a higher risk for gestation diabetes, and pregnancy-induced hypertension (or high blood pressure). That said, age isn’t always a good indication of suitability. A woman of 58 can be healthier than a woman of 38 if she has genes that allow for it and takes good care of herself. We suggest you speak to a doctor who is knowledgeable about surrogacy if it is something you feel called to do.
If you’ve been feeling strongly about carrying a child for someone who could not otherwise become a parent, don’t let age get in the way of your calling. Reach out to us and we can help you get in touch with doctors who specialize in screening women for Surrogacy. If you’re healthy and feel up for the task, you’ll be giving a miracle to hopeful parents!