The decision to undertake surrogate motherhood can be a challenging one for a hopeful family that is otherwise unable to naturally conceive a child. However, for all time and commitment that a hopeful family makes to investing in a surrogate mother, there is one crucial component without which everything else fails; the surrogate mother herself.
The surrogate mother is, in all conceivable ways, the cornerstone of surrogate motherhood. Without a woman who agrees to become pregnant on behalf of a hopeful family, enduring the challenges of pregnancy, the difficulty of delivery and the willing submission of a newborn she has carried to the intended parents, the entire enterprise falls apart. The surrogate mother is crucial to this process, and the surrogate motherhood process is, in many ways, a life-changing experience. In many cases in the country of Georgia, it can also be a financially lucrative one, as Georgia is a nation that legally recognized compensated surrogacies. That is, surrogate mothers in Georgia can undertake surrogate motherhood for profit, and be financially recognized for their enormous contribution.
But what exactly does it take to become a surrogate mother? Can any woman just “hop in” and start offering her services for this in Georgia? We’ll now take a closer look at exactly what has to happen before a woman is approved of as a practicing surrogate mother in Georgia.
Experience Necessary
One of the biggest requirements is going to be the “gatekeeper” that filters out most women striving to be a surrogate mother, and that is previous experience. If a woman has never had a baby before, she is automatically disqualified from most professional, ethical agencies or clinics, and there’s a very good reason for this. At least one previous, a successful pregnancy is an important “track record” or proof of viability for pregnancy. A woman who has never had a successful pregnancy may, in medical theory, still be perfectly suitable, but there’s not that same level of confidence.
Another important reason for this qualification is the psychological factor. There is not just a physical toll on a surrogate mother, but an incredibly demanding emotional and psychological toll as well. A woman who has had one pregnancy and dealt with the pregnancy and emotional resolution; afterward, already knows what to expect. A woman who has never been pregnant before, lacking the physical and emotional experience, may find she is unprepared for what this demands, and may even change her mind about uniting the child with the intended family. For the greatest odds of successful surrogate motherhood, a woman who already knows how to deal with pregnancy is a much better prospect.
Healthy Matters
Of course, the other major factor to be considered a viable surrogate mother in Georgia is the state of health of the woman. As an example, a woman who has been diagnosed with a heart condition can, depending on the severity of the condition, be advised that pregnancy would put both her and the child at risk. Because of this, some women choose surrogate motherhood as the alternative to having a newborn baby.
With this in mind, it would make very little sense for a woman who has been diagnosed with the same condition to try to apply as a surrogate mother. Her delicate health would, once again, put both herself and the baby at severe risk making her unsuitable to carry a hopeful family’s child.
The Lifestyle
Another important factor for becoming a surrogate mother in Georgia is living the right kind of lifestyle. This applies both socially as well as physically. For example, someone who consumes alcohol, smokes cigarettes, and uses drugs, and insists on doing all these things even while pregnant, is living a lifestyle that guarantees to put a growing baby at risk. As a result of the unwillingness to compromise on these lifestyle choices, a candidate would be deemed unsuitable.
There are also character considerations. Someone with a criminal record, or who have been diagnosed with certain, severe types of mental illness would also be unlikely to pass screening and be approved as a surrogate mother. All of these considerations are for the safety of everyone, the surrogate mother, the baby-to-be, and the hopeful parents.
Age
A final factor is the age of the candidate. Just because someone is biologically capable of still having a baby, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a good idea at her age. Younger women who have only recently become legal adults, for example, may be too young, while there is also exists a threshold for older women who may be at greater risk if they attempt to carry a baby to term.
In the end, becoming a surrogate mother in Georgia is not for everyone. It’s a very demanding, but rewarding choice, and it has a comprehensive candidacy system to make sure that everyone, including the surrogate mother herself, has the best possible chance at a successful outcome.