Apply to Become a Surrogate in Tennessee
Your Guide to Becoming a Tennessee Surrogate
If you’re interested in becoming a surrogate in Tennessee, you must learn about how surrogacy works in the state as well as whether you are a good fit for the Reproductive Possibilities surrogacy program. We’ve outlined everything a prospective should know before deciding whether or not to complete our surrogacy application.
- Surrogacy in Tennessee
- Surrogate Requirements in Tennessee
- Surrogate Compensation in Tennessee
- How Surrogates Match with Parents
- Benefits of Being a Tennessee Surrogate
- How to Become a Surrogate in Tennessee
Surrogacy in Tennessee
The state of Tennessee has one of the country’s more unique situations regarding surrogacy law. Surrogacy is neither legal nor prohibited, but parentage often must be established through adoption. That being said, surrogacy arrangements are typically allowed to proceed without issue, and the Reproductive Possibilities team is happy to help all parties with questions relating to the surrogacy process in Tennessee.
What is Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy is a third-party reproduction arrangement in which a woman agrees to carry a pregnancy for an individual or couple who is unable to get pregnant. The surrogate becomes pregnant through IVF – eggs are taken from the intended mother or an egg donor and combined with sperm from the intended father or a sperm donor in a lab. Once the sperm has fertilized the egg, the resulting embryo is transferred into the surrogate’s uterus. If successful, the surrogate will carry the pregnancy to term and eventually give birth to the baby. Although the surrogate plays a crucial role in the baby’s birth, she does not share a genetic relationship with the child.
How does surrogacy work in Tennessee?
Although surrogacy is allowed in Tennessee, it is not clearly defined as legal or illegal. Surrogacy contracts typically proceed without issue, but there are often several legal processes involved so that parentage can be properly established. In some cases, surrogates in Tennessee may have to appear in court in person. However, working with a trusted surrogacy agency like Reproductive Possibilities can help facilitate the legal process.
Surrogate Requirements in Tennessee
The health and safety of both surrogates and the babies they carry are of the highest priority. As such, to be considered for the Reproductive Possibilities surrogacy program, potential surrogates must fulfill certain requirements. These requirements exist to reduce the potential risks that come with pregnancy while also increasing the chances of having a safe and rewarding surrogate pregnancy. We review each application on a case-by-case basis, but our general surrogate requirements are as follows:
- You must not use tobacco products
- You must have a BMI between 18 and 33
- You must be between the age of 21 and 44 years old, however, exceptions may be made for an experienced surrogate mother
- You must have given birth at least once previously with no medical complications and no more than three c-sections
Our team checks over every application with care, and if we feel that you meet our requirements then you will be accepted into the Reproductive Possibilities surrogacy program. Learn more about surrogate requirements.
Surrogate Pay in Tennessee
How Tennessee Surrogates and Parents Are Matched
The matching process begins after you have been accepted into the surrogacy program and have successfully gone through the screening process. It’s important that both intended parents and surrogates trust each other, are on the same page, and feel comfortable with each other. Throughout the years, Reproductive Possibilities has had the distinct honor of facilitating countless surrogacy matches between surrogates and intended parents from all over the country and beyond.
To identify a great match, we have an in-depth discussion with each surrogate and intended parent so that we can learn more about their preferences. When we find a surrogate and intended parents that have similar preferences and expectations, we organize a call so that all parties can meet and discuss some of the finer points of the surrogacy arrangement. During this call, we narrow down everyone’s opinions on topics such as:
- What are your communication preferences? How often will you communicate?
- Does everyone have a solid family or friend support system in place?
- Is the surrogate willing to carry multiple fetuses?
- What is everyone’s perspective on pregnancy reduction or termination?
We consider a match to be made if and when a surrogate and intended parent are in agreement about these topics. Congratulations, this is a pivotal moment in your surrogacy journey. The Reproductive Possibilities team will continue to help facilitate all necessary communication between you and your intended parents.
To learn more, visit our surrogacy process page for surrogate mothers.
Are you an intended parent looking to get matched with a surrogate in Tennessee? Visit our Intended Parents page to get started
Benefits of Becoming a Surrogate in Tennessee
