Written by Shweta Rathod, MD — Doctor of Medicine, clinical experience in Obstetrics & Gynecology, labour room management, and IVF. Dr. Rathod writes Surrogacy4All’s pregnancy and obstetric content.
Medically reviewed by Rashmi Gulati, MD —
- Board Certified, Internal Medicine
- Medical Advisor, Surrogacy4All
- Privileges at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Last updated: [14/09/2026]
Summary
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s committee opinion on gestational carriers is the reference standard for screening in the United States :
- Carriers should be 21–45
- Have had at least one uncomplicated term delivery
- Be in good health with a body-mass index within the clinic’s limit
- Complete psychological evaluation and infectious-disease testing under FDA rules
- Have independent legal counsel
Surrogacy4All’s protocol meets each recommendation and is stricter on age (42) and BMI (32). This page maps the guidance point by point.
Surrogacy4All is NYS-licensed (GSP220903), physician-led, operating since 2006.
ASRM Gestational Carrier Screening: Key Facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | ASRM Practice Committee, “Recommendations for practices using gestational carriers: a committee opinion” (current revision) |
| Age | ASRM: 21 to about 45. Surrogacy4All: 21–42 at transfer |
| Prior deliveries | ASRM: at least one uncomplicated term delivery, typically no more than five deliveries or three cesareans. Surrogacy4All: same, two cesareans |
| BMI | ASRM: clinic-set limit. Surrogacy4All: ≤ 32 |
| Psychological evaluation | ASRM: mental-health professional with third-party reproduction experience, partner included. Surrogacy4All: same |
| Infectious disease | FDA HCT/P donor eligibility testing applies to gametes, carriers tested per clinic and FDA guidance. Surrogacy4All: under FEI 3021544308 |
| Legal | Independent counsel, written agreement before medications. Surrogacy4All: same |
| Success rates (source) | 65% first transfer, 90% cumulative — SART |
What Does ASRM Recommend for a Gestational Carrier’s Age?
An ideal range of 21 to about 45, with older carriers accepted only after careful evaluation of pregnancy risk.
Our upper limit is 42 at the time of transfer, to keep a margin below the age at which hypertensive and glucose disorders in pregnancy rise sharply.
What Obstetric History Is Required?
At least one prior uncomplicated, full-term pregnancy and delivery, and a stable family situation.
ASRM notes that a history of serious pregnancy complications — severe preeclampsia, placenta accreta, uterine rupture — should generally exclude a candidate, and that the number of prior deliveries and cesareans should be limited.
We accept up to five deliveries and two cesareans, and decline candidates with the complications listed.
What Medical Evaluation Does ASRM Call For?
A complete history and physical, a review of prenatal and delivery records, uterine evaluation (saline sonogram or hysteroscopy), and screening for conditions that would make pregnancy unsafe.
At Surrogacy4All the records review is performed by our Medical Director and the uterine evaluation by the treating clinic, candidates with cardiac, renal, autoimmune or clotting histories are reviewed individually and often declined, as our eligibility guide explains.
What Does the Psychological Evaluation Cover?
- Evaluation by a licensed mental-health professional experienced in third-party reproduction
- Including the carrier’s partner
- Covering motivation
- Support
- Understanding of the risks and of the intended parents’ decision-making role
- History of mood disorders including postpartum
Our evaluation follows this scope, and postpartum psychosis is disqualifying.
What Infectious-Disease Screening Applies?
FDA donor-eligibility testing is required for gamete and embryo donors : for gestational carriers the clinic performs infectious-disease testing on the carrier and her partner at screening and again before transfer, consistent with ASRM and FDA guidance.
Our testing is coordinated under our tissue bank registration, which is why it is complete before a candidate is presented.
What Legal and Counselling Standards Does ASRM Set?
Independent legal counsel for the carrier, a written agreement executed before any medication starts, and counselling for intended parents on the carrier’s autonomy over her own body and medical decisions.
Our contracts follow the sequence: agreement, escrow, then medications.
Where Is Surrogacy4All Stricter Than ASRM?
- Age (42 rather than about 45)
- Cesareans (two rather than three)
- BMI (32)
- Twelve months nicotine-free rather than “non-smoker”
The reason is the same in each case: the risk of a further pregnancy is borne by the carrier, and we screen to the risk we are willing to ask her to take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What Are ASRM’s Age Limits for Surrogates?
A. 21 to about 45; Surrogacy4All’s limit is 42.
Q. How Many C-Sections Can a Surrogate Have Had?
A. ASRM suggests no more than three; we accept two.
Q. Is a Psychological Evaluation Required?
A. Yes, by ASRM and by us, including the partner.
Q. Does ASRM Require a Prior Birth?
A. Yes, at least one uncomplicated term delivery.
Q. Does ASRM Set a BMI Limit?
A. It leaves the limit to the clinic; ours is 32.
Q. Where Can I Read the Opinion?
A. On ASRM’s website (Practice Committee documents); we link to the current revision.
Talk to a Physician-Led Team
Free consultation, in person on Fifth Avenue or by video:
Phone: (212) 661-7673
Email: info@surrogacy4all.com
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Dr. Pooja Patel
Dr. Pooja Patel is a Chief Surrogacy Coordinator at Surrogacy4all. She has 10 years of experience in Anesthesiology and critical care medicine.
She received her medical degree from Seth GS Medical College and K.E.M Hospital in India. She then completed an internship. She finished her Anesthesia residency at Grant Govt Medical College and JJ Group of Hospitals in India.
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Rashmi Gulati
Rashmi Gulati, MD, provides innovative, individualized health care that nurtures mind, body, and spirit. Since 2004 she has been the medical director at Patients Medical, where she delivers comprehensive personalized health care, treating each patient as a respected, unique individual. Through their integrative health care center in the heart of Manhattan, Dr. Gulati and her colleagues have become premier care providers serving patients locally and throughout the world.
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