Is Surrogacy Right For Me? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself

If you’re considering being a surrogate in South Carolina, you have a big decision to make; Palmetto Surrogacy is here to help. Being a gestational carrier is a journey full of rewards and challenges, and it’s only one that you should pursue if you are 100 percent ready for what’s ahead.

If you’ve never been a surrogate before, you may be asking yourself, “Is surrogacy right for me?” While you are the only one who can answer that question, the Palmetto Surrogacy team knows that having the best information can make all the difference in this decision-making process. That’s why we’ve created this guide for those thinking about becoming a surrogate — so you know before getting started.

Remember, our team is always available to answer your questions anytime when you call us at 864-573-5533 or contact us online. In the meantime, we encourage you to consider these questions if you’re thinking of being a surrogate in South Carolina.

1. Do I meet the requirements to be a surrogate?

The first thing every prospective surrogate should do is review the necessary requirements to be a gestational carrier. These are the biggest things to consider before becoming a surrogate in South Carolina, as surrogacy professionals (including our team) will not work with women who do not meet these qualifications.

At Palmetto Surrogacy, all prospective surrogates must:

  • Be between the ages of 21 and 38 years (over 38 may be considered if you’ve had a recent pregnancy)
  • Have given birth to a child that you are raising
  • Be financially stable and not on any form of government assistance
  • Have a healthy pregnancy history and lifestyle
  • Be smoke- and drug-free
  • Be a U.S. citizen (or permanent resident) and speak English fluently
  • Have a vehicle and valid driver’s license
  • Reside in South Carolina (or within a one-hour drive of the S.C. border)

These surrogacy requirements exist for your own safety. They reduce the risk of physical and emotional difficulties during your journey. Being a surrogate is not for everyone, but these requirements help separate eligible women from all those who are considering being a surrogate in South Carolina.

2. Have I discussed this decision with my family?

Becoming a surrogate won’t just affect you. When you commit a great deal of your time and energy to helping someone else become parents, your everyday life and routine will be affected. Therefore, it’s important that your immediate family is prepared for and fully supports these changes, as they will also be involved in the surrogacy process.

If you are thinking about being a surrogate mother in South Carolina, involve your spouse and your children in your decision. What do they think about your desire to carry a child for someone else? Are they prepared to handle some of your parental responsibilities and put any family trips or plans on delay when you are going through the surrogacy process?

3. Am I comfortable with the potential risks and challenges?

When many women are considering becoming a surrogate mother, they tend to think of the positives: helping bring a child into the world, purposeful relationships and surrogate compensation. But, have you thought about the potential risks you’ll incur from this journey?

The Palmetto Surrogacy team will everything we can to prepare you for the risks that you’re subject to while being a surrogate, but there are certain potential situations that you should be comfortable with, including:

  • The loss of your fertility: What if you were never able to have another biological child in the future?
  • Medical complications and difficulties: Pregnancy and childbirth are risky processes, even with the best medical care.
  • Miscarriage or failed transfers: Surrogacy may not always work during the first attempt.
  • Emotional complications: How will you feel carrying a child for nine months to come home from the hospital without a baby?

Before you can become a surrogate with Palmetto Surrogacy, you will undergo medical and psychological screening, which will help ensure that you are prepared for these challenges and risks should you be a surrogate in South Carolina.

4. Am I prepared for the emotional and practical commitment of surrogacy?

As mentioned above, deciding to be a surrogate means committing a great deal of your time and energy to helping someone else become a parent. Most surrogacy journeys take at least a year to complete, and you should be prepared for that time commitment when you first make the decision to be a surrogate in South Carolina.

So, should you be a surrogate? Ask yourself these questions:

  • Are you organized enough to balance your everyday responsibilities with the new responsibilities of surrogacy?
  • Are you ready to attend frequent doctor’s appointments before and after you become pregnant?
  • If you are employed, how will your employment be impacted by the need to miss work to attend medical appointments? What would happen if there were complications and you were placed on bed rest or ordered to stop working?
  • Are you excited to create a relationship with intended parents in an intimate and respectful way?
  • Are you ready for the physical challenges of being pregnant?
  • Are you prepared for the emotions caused by being pregnant — and how you may feel knowing that you will not bring a child home at the end of those nine months?

5. Why am I considering being a surrogate in South Carolina?

Finally, if you’re thinking about becoming a surrogate in South Carolina, it’s important that you are doing it for the right reasons. Surrogacy requires a lot from you, so having the right motivation from the start will ensure the best chance at a successful journey.

Know this: While surrogacy compensation can be a great advantage for prospective surrogates, it should not be the main reason that you choose to be a surrogate. Compensation can help you achieve certain financial goals, but it is not enough to be life-changing. Therefore, prospective surrogates should be motivated more by the intrinsic value of carrying a child for someone else than by the financial benefits of doing so. That way, when you face certain challenges during the process, you will be more likely to remember that it is worth it — because you are more excited about bringing a child into the world than earning money for your services.

If you’re asking yourself, “Is surrogacy right for me?” we encourage you to schedule a consult with our team today. We are here to answer all of your questions and get you the information you need to make the best decision for you, whatever it may be.

Call us 864-573-5533 or contact us online to get started.

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