Gestational Surrogacy. Do you have to have a child of your own?

Question

I'm interested in becoming a gestational surrogate. Right now I'm in college and know that I don't want any children of my own. However, I feel like I would be a wonderful gestational surrogate for a family that can not carry their own child. Many of the sites I've been doing research on mention that in order to be considered as a gestational surrogate, you must have a child of your own. The baby wouldn't have any of my DNA so I feel like I wouldn't be attached to the point that I couldn't give the child to the Intended Parents.

Does it matter if it is done through an agency or if it arranged privately?

If anyone has additional information about the process, I would appreciate a link to those sites as well.

Blessings to all!

Answer 1

It really depends on what state you live in. In some states surrogancy is illegal altogether, in others it is legal but you cannot be compensated for it, in others still you can be compensated. Contact an attorney that handles family law/adoption and they will be able to help you. I have never heard of any state allowing someone with no children of their own to act as a surrogant though. While you think at this point you wouldn't get attached, after having a child grow inside you for nine months, and all of the hormones that go with it, you could change your mind. I think the theory is someone who has gone through pregnancy and childbirth and knows how that feels would be able to judge better on this issue.