Choosing to grow your family through gestational surrogacy is a leap of love, trust, and hope. Intended parents place enormous faith in the woman who will carry their child, and that trust is earned—not given lightly. One of the most important ways to build that trust is through comprehensive medical and drug screening of surrogate candidates.
So, do surrogate mothers undergo drug and medical screening? Yes, absolutely. Every qualified gestational surrogate undergoes a thorough, multi-phase screening process designed to protect the health of the baby, the surrogate, and the entire surrogacy journey. These evaluations are not only standard practice—they are a foundational part of ensuring an ethical, safe, and successful surrogacy process.
Let’s take a closer look at how medical and drug screenings work in gestational surrogacy, why they matter, and what intended parents and surrogates alike can expect.
Why Screening Matters in Surrogacy
When a woman carries a child for someone else, her health and lifestyle have a direct impact on the pregnancy and the developing baby. Medical and drug screenings are in place to ensure that she is physically and mentally prepared for the journey.
Whether working with a surrogacy agency or a fertility clinic, these evaluations are required. They help:
- Protect the health of the baby
- Ensure safety and compliance with legal and medical standards
- Establish mutual trust between the surrogate and intended parents
- Prevent future emotional or legal complications
Just as intended parents go through consultations and assessments to prepare for parenthood, surrogates must go through their own rigorous evaluations to qualify for the role. It’s part of the mutual respect and commitment that makes surrogacy work.
Overview of Surrogate Medical Screening
What to expect from the screening process:
What Is Surrogate Medical Screening?
Surrogate medical screening is a full-body evaluation conducted by a fertility clinic to make sure a woman is physically prepared for embryo transfer and pregnancy.
Importantly, this isn’t a one-time check—it’s a multi-step process that looks at the surrogate’s overall health, reproductive history, lifestyle, and more. Surrogates must pass every step of the screening to be approved for the program.
Components of the Medical Evaluation
Here’s what the standard medical screening process typically includes:
- Physical Exam: A general assessment of the surrogate’s overall health, including BMI, heart health, blood pressure, and signs of any chronic conditions.
- Reproductive Health Review: A detailed look at previous pregnancies and births. A surrogate must have had at least one successful, uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery to qualify.
- Blood Work: This includes hormone panels, infectious disease testing (such as HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis), and immunity testing for rubella, varicella (chickenpox), and other conditions that could affect pregnancy.
- Uterine Evaluation: A fertility specialist will examine the health and shape of the uterus using a transvaginal ultrasound, saline sonogram, or, in some cases, a hysteroscopy to ensure it’s suitable for embryo implantation.
- Pap Smear and STD Testing: Screening for cervical health and any sexually transmitted infections is also standard.
These tests are not only for the safety of the baby—they also help prevent complications for the surrogate and support a healthy, smooth pregnancy.
Want more detail? Check out our full post on Surrogate Screening.
Do Surrogate Mothers Undergo Drug Testing?
Yes, surrogate mothers must undergo mandatory drug testing as part of the evaluation process.
What the Drug Screening Entails
Initial tests typically include urine drug screening to check for:
- Nicotine and tobacco products
- Alcohol
- Illegal drugs (such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines)
- Controlled substances (such as opioids, prescription stimulants, marijuana)
These tests are usually done before approval, and many clinics or agencies will repeat them throughout the process, especially before major milestones like embryo transfer or during pregnancy.
Why Drug Screening Is Important
Even trace amounts of drugs or alcohol can have a devastating impact on fertility medications, embryo implantation, and fetal development.
For intended parents, drug testing offers peace of mind. They need to know the woman carrying their child is doing so in a clean, stable, and healthy environment. And for agencies and clinics, it ensures compliance with medical standards and legal best practices.
What Happens if a Drug Test Is Positive?
A positive drug test may disqualify a candidate entirely or delay her acceptance into the program.
Most surrogacy agencies operate under a strict zero-tolerance policy. Their top priority is protecting the child’s health and ensuring a legally and ethically sound journey.
Psychological and Lifestyle Screening
While not technically “medical,” psychological and lifestyle assessments are crucial parts of the surrogate screening process.
Surrogates are evaluated by licensed mental health professionals to determine:
- Emotional readiness for the journey
- Support systems (family, partner, friends)
- Ability to handle stress and communicate openly
This helps ensure the surrogate is entering the process for the right reasons and is mentally and emotionally prepared for the commitment.
Lifestyle factors are also considered, such as:
- Diet and exercise habits
- Work-life balance
- Sleep and stress levels
All of this helps ensure that the surrogate is not just medically ready—but also emotionally and practically prepared for a healthy pregnancy experience.
Screening Timeline and Who Covers the Costs
A look at time and money during this important phase:
When Does Screening Happen?
Screening begins after a surrogate has passed the initial application process and been tentatively accepted into an agency’s program.
- Medical screening typically takes place before or shortly after being matched with intended parents.
- Drug testing is conducted before approval and may be repeated before embryo transfer and periodically throughout the pregnancy.
This timeline ensures that all parties have the information they need to proceed with confidence.
Who Pays for the Screening?
Surrogates should never pay out of pocket for medical or drug screening.
All testing costs are fully covered by the intended parents or the agency coordinating the surrogacy. This includes follow-up appointments, any necessary re-testing, and final clearances before the embryo transfer.
Preparing for Embryo Transfer: Final Screening Steps
Once a surrogate has passed all preliminary screenings and signed legal agreements, she begins a medication protocol to prepare the uterine lining for embryo transfer.
Before the transfer, additional blood tests and ultrasounds confirm:
- Proper hormone levels
- Endometrial (uterine lining) thickness
- Overall reproductive readiness
These final steps help give the embryo the best chance of successful implantation and growth.
For a full breakdown, link to Embryo Transfers to Surrogate Mothers
Faith-Based Surrogacy and Ethical Screening
At Surrogacy By Faith, our approach to screening reflects not just medical excellence—but also spiritual and emotional alignment.
We believe that surrogates should be healthy in body, mind, and spirit. That’s why we screen for:
- Physical health and medical readiness
- Mental wellness and emotional maturity
- Alignment with faith-based values, compassion, and commitment
Every surrogate we work with is selected with care, transparency, and integrity. We believe that ethical surrogacy starts with respect for all parties—intended parents, surrogates, and the children they bring into the world.
Screening Is Essential for a Safe, Successful Journey
Medical and drug screenings aren’t just a box to check—they are a core part of what makes surrogacy safe, ethical, and successful. For intended parents, they provide confidence and security. For surrogates, they ensure the support and safety needed to carry with care. And for the child, they offer the best possible start to life. When done right, screening builds trust, fosters connection, and sets the stage for a beautiful shared journey.
Begin Your Journey With Surrogacy By Faith
Whether you’re an intended parent ready to start your family or a woman considering becoming a surrogate, Surrogacy By Faith is here to walk alongside you—with care, clarity, and compassion. Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to learn more about our screening process and how we match you with medically and emotionally prepared surrogates who share your values. If you’re interested in becoming a surrogate or pursuing parenthood through surrogacy, fill out our surrogate form or intended parent form today. For surrogacy rooted in health, trust, and faith, let’s begin this journey together.