Surrogacy Mythbusters, Part 2: What the Process Really Looks Like

kristircampbell
May 6
2 min read

Updated: May 21

In Part 1 of our mythbusting series, we tackled some of the biggest misconceptions about motivation, biology, and legal rights in surrogacy. Today, we’re diving into myths that surround the process itself because it’s not nearly as mysterious (or risky) as some people assume.

Let’s get into it:

MYTH 4: “Surrogacy is unregulated and risky.”

This one might have come from outdated news stories or experiences in places where surrogacy laws aren’t well-defined—but in the United States, surrogacy is highly regulated in most states.

At SMARTPath Fertility, we work exclusively in surrogacy-friendly states where clear legal frameworks exist to protect both the surrogate and the intended parents. Our team handles everything from psychological screenings and medical evaluations to legal contracts and insurance. Surrogacy done the right way is structured, ethical, and safe.

MYTH 5: “Anyone can be a surrogate.”

Actually, no. The screening process is thorough—and for good reason. Surrogates must meet strict medical, emotional, and lifestyle criteria to qualify.

That usually includes:

Being between the ages of 21 and 42
Having had at least one full-term, complication-free pregnancy
Living a stable, healthy lifestyle
Passing background checks, home assessments, and psychological evaluations

We’re not looking for perfection—we’re looking for healthy, emotionally ready, and fully informed women who are ready to walk this journey with care and compassion.

MYTH 6: “The process is shady or secretive.”

Surrogacy isn’t a back-alley arrangement—it’s a highly collaborative, medically supervised process involving fertility specialists, OBGYNs, legal teams, psychologists, social workers, and surrogacy professionals.

From the first application to embryo transfer, pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum support—there’s a full team behind every step. And at SMARTPath, we make sure everyone feels seen, supported, and secure throughout.