Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that can affect both the mother and baby. It’s most often marked by high blood pressure and signs of organ stress, particularly in the liver and kidneys. While many people recover fully after delivery, the condition can carry long-term health implications — and significantly increase the risks of future pregnancies.
Because the safety of both the surrogate and the baby is paramount, Surrogacy by Faith carefully evaluates every applicant’s medical history before matching them with intended parents. If you’ve had preeclampsia before, you may be wondering whether it automatically disqualifies you from becoming a surrogate. The short answer is: in most cases, yes — and here’s why.
Understanding Preeclampsia and Its Risks
Preeclampsia typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy and can escalate quickly if not managed. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), its symptoms can include:
- Persistent high blood pressure.
- Severe headaches.
- Changes in vision (blurriness, light sensitivity).
- Upper abdominal pain.
- Swelling in the hands, feet, or face.
In severe cases, preeclampsia can cause organ damage, seizures (a condition called eclampsia), or complications that threaten the lives of both the mother and baby.
For future pregnancies, someone who has experienced preeclampsia before faces an increased risk of recurrence — sometimes earlier and more severely than the first time. This risk is one of the key reasons most agencies cannot approve applicants with a history of the condition.
Surrogate Health Requirements and Screening
Every surrogate working with Surrogacy by Faith goes through a comprehensive medical screening process designed to ensure she is both physically and emotionally prepared for a healthy pregnancy. This isn’t about setting up barriers — it’s about creating the safest possible environment for the surrogate, the baby, and the intended parents.
Medical history is one of the most important parts of this screening. Past pregnancies often tell doctors a great deal about how a woman’s body responds to pregnancy, labor, and delivery. If certain complications have occurred before, there’s often a higher likelihood they could happen again — and in surrogacy, where another family is entrusting you with their child, those risks must be minimized.
Some of the core health requirements for surrogates include:
- Healthy reproductive history: A qualified surrogate must have had at least one full-term pregnancy and delivery without major complications. This proves her body is capable of sustaining a pregnancy and handling the physical demands of labor. A positive history also gives intended parents reassurance that the surrogate has experienced and understands the pregnancy process.
- No history of major pregnancy complications: Serious conditions like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes requiring insulin, or unexplained preterm birth before 34 weeks can put both surrogate and baby at risk in a future pregnancy. By screening out candidates with these histories, Surrogacy by Faith helps prevent recurrence of dangerous conditions.
- Healthy BMI (Body Mass Index): A healthy weight range supports safer pregnancies, reduces the risk of gestational complications, and improves IVF success rates. BMI is not about appearance — it’s a medically relevant factor that influences how the body adapts to pregnancy.
- Non-smoker and substance-free: Tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drug use during pregnancy can cause serious harm to a developing baby and increase the risk of complications like miscarriage, low birth weight, or developmental issues. Candidates must commit to remaining substance-free before and throughout the surrogacy journey.
- Good overall health: Chronic conditions such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, unmanaged thyroid disease, or insulin-dependent diabetes can pose significant risks during pregnancy. Surrogates must be in stable, well-managed health to protect themselves and the child they carry.
- Emotional and psychological readiness: While physical health is critical, mental and emotional preparedness are equally important. Surrogates must be able to cope with the unique emotional journey of carrying a baby for someone else, which is why psychological screenings are part of the process.
This careful screening isn’t just a medical formality — it’s a way of honoring the trust placed in both the surrogate and the agency. It ensures that when the surrogacy journey begins, it starts on the safest, strongest foundation possible.
For a detailed list, see our full guide: Surrogate Mother Requirements
Disqualifications Related to Preeclampsia
At Surrogacy by Faith, our policy aligns with medical best practices: a history of preeclampsia almost always disqualifies someone from serving as a gestational surrogate. This is because:
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The recurrence risk can be high, especially if it developed early or severely in a previous pregnancy.
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Even if preeclampsia appears mild, it can escalate suddenly and unpredictably.
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Pregnancy through IVF can sometimes carry a slightly higher risk of certain complications, including hypertensive disorders.
However, there are rare exceptions. If preeclampsia occurred only at the time of delivery — particularly during labor with a full-term baby — it may not be an automatic disqualifier. Sometimes, the body reacts to the stress of labor or the hospital environment with a temporary spike in blood pressure, leading to late-onset hypertension or mild signs of preeclampsia. These isolated, full-term cases are evaluated on a case-by-case basis during medical screening.
In contrast, if preeclampsia appeared earlier in pregnancy and led to a preterm delivery, that history would disqualify someone from becoming a surrogate. The earlier and more severe the condition, the higher the risk of it recurring in future pregnancies — which is why caution is so important.
We know this can be disappointing for women who want to bless a family through surrogacy, but protecting everyone’s safety must come first.
For more information on why certain health conditions may lead to disqualification, read: Disqualifications for Surrogacy
Why These Rules Exist
Surrogacy is a journey of trust — between the surrogate, intended parents, and the agency. Part of that trust is the assurance that all reasonable precautions have been taken to protect the surrogate’s health and the baby’s wellbeing.
At Surrogacy by Faith, we take this responsibility very seriously. Our mission is rooted in love, care, and faith, which means we cannot knowingly place a surrogate in a situation where her health or the baby’s safety is at elevated risk.
While some women who’ve had preeclampsia may go on to have healthy pregnancies, the unpredictability and potential severity of the condition make it too great a risk in the surrogacy context. Intended parents are counting on us to make medical decisions that prioritize life and health — and we will always err on the side of caution.
Other Health Considerations
Preeclampsia is not the only health condition that can disqualify someone from being a surrogate. Other possible disqualifying factors include:
- Uncontrolled thyroid disorders.
- Autoimmune diseases that affect pregnancy.
- Multiple cesarean deliveries without sufficient healing time.
- Uterine abnormalities.
- Severe postpartum depression history.
In every case, the guiding question is: Can this woman safely carry a pregnancy to term without elevated risks for herself or the baby? If the answer is uncertain, the safest and most ethical choice is to decline the application — while encouraging other ways to contribute to the surrogacy community.
Why Choose Surrogacy By Faith
So, can you be a surrogate if you’ve had preeclampsia? In most cases, no — but that doesn’t mean your dream of helping a family grow is over.
Many women with this history find meaningful ways to support surrogacy journeys outside of carrying a baby themselves, such as:
- Serving as an advocate or mentor to new surrogates.
- Volunteering with organizations that support intended parents.
- Sharing their own pregnancy stories to raise awareness.
At Surrogacy by Faith, we believe there is a role for everyone in this beautiful mission — whether that’s through carrying a child, supporting a surrogate, or helping intended parents navigate the process. If you’d like to learn more about our requirements or see if you might qualify, explore our resources or reach out to us directly.
Your desire to give the gift of life is deeply valued — and we would love to help you find the safest and most meaningful way to do so. If you’re interested in becoming a surrogate or pursuing parenthood through surrogacy, fill out our surrogate form or intended parent form today.