| As a two time gestational surrogate mother and an | | | | This way, if there is a problem, any relationship can |
| author, as well as having many friends in the | | | | be ended immediately, which will save everyone |
| surrogacy community, I often hear women ask this | | | | valuable time and money. Plus, this shows that you |
| question. Herpes is very common today, and does | | | | are honest and forthright with information, even |
| not automatically disqualify you from becoming a | | | | derogatory information, which is vital in a surrogacy |
| surrogate mother. | | | | arrangement. |
| All clinics will require potential gestational surrogate | | | | If you do not disclose this information in advance of |
| mothers to undergo extensive physical and | | | | testing, and it is found later, it could be a very large |
| psychological testing prior to becoming approved as | | | | black spot on your relationship with both the clinic |
| an acceptable carrier. Part of this testing is complete | | | | and the intended parents. STDs are not something to |
| STD panels for both the surrogate and her partner. | | | | be taken lightly. They can have permanent and |
| Some clinics and intended parents will automatically | | | | damaging effects on any unborn child. |
| disqualify any woman as a surrogate who has | | | | It is important to note that Herpes is usually the only |
| Herpes, but this is not a hard and fast rule. With | | | | exception when it comes to carrying any sort of |
| proper arrangements, Herpes can become a | | | | STD and still qualifying to become a surrogate |
| non-issue. | | | | mother. Because Herpes is only contagious when the |
| The main problem with the Herpes virus is that it can | | | | baby passes through the birth canal, as opposed to |
| be transmitted to the baby at birth. The simple | | | | being contagious in vetro, and because Herpes is so |
| solution for this is that the surrogate mother delivers | | | | common in America, clinics and intended parents may |
| the baby via c-section instead of vaginally. | | | | turn a blind eye towards it. |
| The risk to the infant is only if there is an active | | | | Do not get offended if a clinic or intended parents |
| Herpes infection present during delivery, though | | | | reject you based on your Herpes status. These |
| intended parents might ask for a mandatory | | | | parents undergo a very expensive and emotional |
| c-section with a surrogate who carries the STD to | | | | journey trying to become parents. They are usually |
| be on the safe side. | | | | extra cautious and extra sensitive to such issues. |
| The most important thing for you to do as a | | | | But for every set of intended parents who may |
| potential surrogate mother who has Herpes is to | | | | reject a Herpes carrier, there is another set of |
| disclose this information during the matching process | | | | intended parents who simply do not care, so long as |
| to the set of potential intended parents that you are | | | | the proper safety precautions are taken. Good luck in |
| interviewing with. You will also need to disclose this to | | | | your surrogacy journey! |
| the clinic before they have done any testing on you. | | | | |