Becoming a surrogate is a generous and life-changing decision, but if you’ve had one or more C-sections in the past, you may wonder if that affects your eligibility. The short answer is that having a C-section doesn’t automatically disqualify you from becoming a surrogate. In fact, many surrogates have delivered by cesarean.
However, your medical history matters. The number of C-sections you’ve had, the way your body healed, and whether there were any complications during or after delivery are all important factors. Clinics and agencies will carefully review this information to ensure that carrying another pregnancy would be safe for both you and the baby.
This article explains what to expect if you’re considering surrogacy after a C-section, how many past surgeries are typically accepted, what medical professionals look for during the screening process, and what happens if you’ve experienced complications in the past.
Can You Be a Surrogate After a C-Section?
One or Two C-Sections Are Usually Accepted
Many women considering surrogacy wonder if a past cesarean delivery will affect their chances of being accepted. The reality is that most surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics allow candidates who have had one or two C-sections, as long as the procedures were medically straightforward. What truly matters is how well the uterus healed, whether there were any surgical complications, and how the body responded during recovery. A healthy uterine scar and a smooth postpartum period are strong indicators that a woman may be able to safely carry another pregnancy.
Medical providers also look at the time between deliveries, as spacing can influence healing. For example, women who had enough time, usually at least 18 to 24 months, between their last C-section and applying to become a surrogate are more likely to be cleared. At Surrogacy by Faith, women with one or two previous C-sections are commonly accepted, provided they also meet other physical and emotional criteria. These cases are always reviewed carefully and compassionately to ensure a safe and healthy experience for everyone involved.
What About After Three C-Sections?
While some agencies and clinics limit surrogacy eligibility to two prior cesareans, others, including Surrogacy by Faith, may consider women with three, depending on their full medical history. The concern with multiple C-sections is the cumulative impact on the uterus, especially regarding scar tissue, adhesions, or thinning of the uterine wall. These issues can increase the risk of complications during a future pregnancy, which is why extra medical screening is required in these cases.
If you’ve had three C-sections and are interested in becoming a surrogate, your eligibility will depend on factors like the spacing between your deliveries, whether each surgery and recovery were smooth, and whether there were any signs of uterine rupture or other serious issues. Some women with three well-healed C-sections and no complications have gone on to become excellent surrogates, but it’s essential to be transparent and to have thorough medical documentation. A doctor’s clearance will almost always be required, and each agency will evaluate your profile individually.
When Past C-Sections May Disqualify You
There are situations where a history of cesarean deliveries can raise serious concerns and may lead to disqualification from becoming a surrogate. These include severe surgical complications, such as uterine rupture, poorly healed incisions, infections requiring hospitalization, or the development of placenta accreta or previa in a prior pregnancy. Such conditions can increase the risks for both the surrogate and the baby, and medical professionals are ethically obligated to avoid unsafe matches.
Repeated emergency C-sections may also prompt caution, especially if they were linked to fetal distress, hemorrhage, or prolonged labor. If a previous cesarean was followed by significant health issues or difficult postpartum recovery, this may indicate that another pregnancy could carry too much risk. However, being disqualified by one agency doesn’t always mean you’re ineligible everywhere. A second opinion can be helpful, and some cases may still be considered after an in-depth medical review.
Why Medical History Is So Important
What Doctors and Fertility Clinics Look For
When it comes to surrogacy, your past pregnancies provide essential insight into how your body handles gestation, delivery, and recovery. This is especially true for women who have had one or more C-sections. During the surrogate screening process, medical professionals will look at the condition of your uterus, the number and type of incisions, and whether any complications occurred during or after the surgery. They’ll also review your full obstetric history, including how far along your pregnancies went, your delivery outcomes, and whether any issues arose during labor or postpartum recovery.
Scars from a C-section are of particular interest, especially if there’s concern about uterine thinning or weakened tissue. If the scar appears strong and well-healed, and you’ve had no major issues in subsequent pregnancies, your chances of being approved are generally much higher. If there were concerns such as excessive bleeding, emergency surgical intervention, or long hospital stays after delivery, those will be taken into account. Ultimately, doctors and agencies aim to determine whether your body can safely carry another pregnancy without posing risk to your health or the baby’s.
What You’ll Need to Provide
To complete the medical screening, you’ll be asked to share detailed records from your previous pregnancies and C-sections. This usually includes operative reports from each cesarean, OB notes, and postpartum follow-up summaries. If your deliveries occurred at different hospitals or over many years, you may need to contact multiple providers to collect this documentation. While this can take some time, it’s an essential step that helps ensure your future surrogacy journey is medically sound.
In some cases, agencies or clinics may request an updated evaluation from your current OB-GYN. This may involve a pelvic exam, imaging, or even a saline sonogram to assess the integrity of your uterine lining and scar tissue. These reviews are not intended to be invasive. They’re there to protect your health and to make sure that if you do become a surrogate, the pregnancy is as safe and smooth as possible. Being thorough upfront makes it easier to move forward with clarity and confidence.
General Surrogacy Requirements and Disqualifications
Common Eligibility Criteria
To qualify as a surrogate, candidates must meet several baseline surrogate requirements that are designed to protect both their health and the health of the baby. Most programs accept women between the ages of 21 and 40 (37 at Surrogacy By Faith), though some agencies may set the upper limit at 42 depending on medical history. A previous full-term pregnancy without major complications is essential, and in most cases, candidates must also be currently raising at least one child. This demonstrates both physical readiness and emotional maturity.
A healthy body mass index (BMI), typically between 19 and 32, is another key factor. Surrogates must live in a stable environment, refrain from smoking or recreational drug use, and be free from any dependency on alcohol or prescription medications that could interfere with pregnancy. Reliable transportation and the ability to attend medical appointments are also necessary. In addition, candidates should have no recent history of government assistance, and their income should be stable enough to support their household without relying on surrogacy compensation.
Emotional readiness is just as important as physical health. Surrogates must pass a psychological evaluation to confirm that they can handle the emotional aspects of carrying a child for someone else. This includes understanding the boundaries of the relationship with the intended parents, having a strong support system, and being willing to follow the legal and medical steps required throughout the journey. Some agencies also require a partner’s support, if applicable, to ensure the home environment is stable during the pregnancy.
What Might Disqualify You
Certain health conditions or personal histories can disqualify someone from being a surrogate. These include more than three prior C-sections, especially if they were accompanied by complications such as uterine rupture, placenta accreta, or poor scar healing. A history of preterm birth, multiple miscarriages, or stillbirth may also raise concerns.
Other health requirements and disqualifying factors include uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes (particularly gestational diabetes requiring insulin), heart conditions, autoimmune disorders, and thyroid disease. Candidates who experienced postpartum depression or anxiety that required medication or hospitalization may need further evaluation. The use of certain medications, such as antidepressants or mood stabilizers, can also lead to disqualification if not well-managed.
Lifestyle or social factors can be considered as well. Recent tattoos or piercings, financial instability, a history of CPS involvement, or criminal records may result in ineligibility depending on the agency’s standards. Surrogacy programs rely on thorough screening to ensure that each candidate can safely and responsibly carry a pregnancy.
What If I Had Complications From a Previous C-Section?
Types of Complications That Might Affect Eligibility
Not all C-sections are the same, and having had one doesn’t automatically mean you’re ineligible to become a surrogate. However, if your cesarean was followed by complications, your medical history will be evaluated with extra care. Some of the most concerning issues include uterine rupture, severe hemorrhage, or infections that required hospitalization or extended treatment. These situations can indicate that the uterus may not safely support another pregnancy.
Other complications that may raise red flags include placenta previa or placenta accreta, both of which can increase the risk of severe bleeding in future pregnancies. Multiple emergency C-sections may also be a concern, especially if they involved fetal distress, poor fetal positioning, or difficult recoveries. In each case, agencies and fertility specialists will assess whether the cause of the complication is likely to recur and whether your overall health remains strong enough for surrogacy.
What You Can Still Do
If you’ve experienced complications in a past delivery, that doesn’t automatically rule you out. The best first step is to speak with your OB-GYN and ask for a full evaluation of your uterine health and delivery history. Sometimes, issues that seemed significant at the time, such as an emergency C-section, may not be disqualifying if healing went well and no long-term damage occurred.
Medical records are essential in this process. Providing detailed surgical notes, postpartum follow-up documentation, and any imaging or testing you’ve had since then will help clinics make a well-informed decision. In many cases, agencies consult with reproductive endocrinologists who specialize in reviewing complex histories. Being transparent about your past allows everyone involved to make decisions that prioritize your safety and the well-being of the baby.
Why Choose Surrogacy by Faith
Surrogacy by Faith brings a thoughtful and compassionate perspective to every surrogacy journey. The agency is led by a team of former surrogates who understand the process deeply and are committed to walking alongside each woman with care, respect, and empathy. Their mission is grounded in building meaningful, ethical relationships between surrogates, intended parents, and medical providers.
Because no two women share the same story, the team takes the time to carefully review each candidate’s background, including unique medical histories like prior C-sections or conditions such as endometriosis. Every match is made with attention to both physical health and emotional well-being, supported by honest communication and strong clinical partnerships.
Surrogacy by Faith is also known for offering generous, transparent surrogate compensation and for coordinating with trusted fertility clinics that align with its values. The agency’s top priority is creating a safe, respectful, and rewarding experience for both the surrogate and the intended parents.
If you’re an intended parent ready to begin, the first step is to explore the intended parent application process. For women interested in becoming surrogates, you can learn more about how it works by reviewing the surrogate mother application process.