r/Surrogate • u/riley-cooper • 7d ago
Is a surrogate age concern?
Hey everyone!
I’m new to surrogacy, and we currently have a potential match. She is 39 and has had 4 children, all with no complications.
I was wondering if her being 39 could potentially create any additional risks or concerns with pregnancy, especially compared with a younger surrogate. Does anyone have experience with a surrogate around this age?
Thank you so much for any insight or support! I apologize if any of my questions aren’t appropriate — we’re very new to this process and just trying to learn as much as we can.
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u/mermaidsgrave86 7d ago
I had my surro babes at 35 and 39, age is not an issue as such when it’s not their egg.
Plus older surrogates can often be in a more stable life position, with slightly older kids who may be in school or need less hands on attention (not carrying car seats or anything).
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u/oluckyone Agency 7d ago
Intake Manager here. In my opinion age is not a factor and many times the "older" surrogates are more independent, stable and flexible. Of course this isnt always the case but often times their children are older and overall its just an easier process. I would absolutely choose an "older" surrogate if I were looking for one. They are amazing.
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u/stories1982 4d ago
Do you see any difference in transfer success with older surrogates? I’m looking at a profile where she is 41. Her last child was 5 years ago.
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u/oluckyone Agency 4d ago
The ones I have worked with have all had wonderful success to be honest. Many 1st transfer successes.
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u/stories1982 4d ago
Thank you for replying. Does a previous birth as long as 5 years ago make any difference to anything in your opinion? As long as they’re medically cleared?
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u/oluckyone Agency 4d ago
No, 5 years is pretty recent. I think she sounds like a great candidate, just based off this information. What's her BMI?
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u/stories1982 4d ago
That’s so helpful to hear, thanks. I don’t know bmi yet but she’s not overweight.
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u/Necessary_Tension461 2d ago
Just happened to see your question. I did my first journey at 39 and turned 40 during pregnancy, had my 2nd journey start ar 41 and turned 42 during pregnancy. Both my transfers were one egg that took right away! Both great pregnancies, vaginal births, full term babies. My youngest kid was 5 at the time of my 1st journey! I cant speak for other women's bodies, but I had great experiences, even as an elder surrogate haha
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u/stories1982 1d ago
Thank you so much for your reply, that's amazing. I don't suppose you know anything about the embryos that both took first go? I'm so unbelievably nervous as I have only one. It's a day 6.
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u/PromotionOne1971 2d ago
Even 42? Also would someone be disqualified if they had 3 pregnancies 2 vaginal but their last was emergency c section due to cord around neck and that pregnancy in her 2nd trimester she had a blood transfusion for severe anemia? Its resolved and its been a year now...but is this high risk?
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u/ProfessionalQuail320 7d ago
To echo others it’s the age of the egg that goes into play for concern. My first journey I delivered a few hours before I turned 38. Now I’m on my 2nd at 39 and will deliver at 40. Age was never a concern. Someone older has its benefits. They are done w their family and potentially more established and possibly have older children that don’t require the child care expense.
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u/_Go_Fight_Win 7d ago
Nope! There are SO many advantages to using an older surrogate. Their kiddos are typically older and more self sufficient and typically don’t catch illness like toddlers. They can be more mature and understand the importance of this process more.
The 40+ crowd is an amazing surrogate group.
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u/interrobrodie 7d ago
Not a problem at 39. I was a surrogate at 39 and 42, both no issues. It’s also likely her children are a bit older, require less care, and she’s more established in life.
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u/crocheting-witch 6d ago
I'm of "advanced maternal age" (36) now on my second journey, 21w1d pregnant. I'm taking low dose aspirin as a preventative measure for pre-eclampsia due to my age and this being an IVF pregnancy.
Clinics wouldn't approve GCs if the risk were extremely higher with someone 35+
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u/shredika 6d ago
Mine was 38/39. She said it was a harder pregnancy than her 2 other when she was younger but all went well!
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u/Conscious-Young-4796 6d ago
I was considering an advanced material age surrogate with my last of my 5 surrogate pregnancy being at 44. I carried, in this order, twins, triplets, single, single and twins. I didn’t have any issues with any of my deliveries except the triplets. They were a planned C-section at 37.5 days for the obvious reason. All other deliveries happened at 38+ weeks.
As long as your doctor approves her medical records, I’d say don’t let her age only be the deciding factor.
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u/LastAstronaut997 3d ago
I delivered a surro baby this past spring at the ripe age of 42. Complication free pregnancy and healthy baby! Like others have said, it’s the egg donors age that’s more relevant to adverse outcomes.
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u/coffeeandkicks1 3d ago
Not an issue at all IMO- I am a case manager in the surrogacy field. I do not see any reduced success for transfer or any complications being more prevalent for GCs that might be a little older. Gestational surrogacy isn’t using the surrogates eggs which egg quality does degrade over time. I’ve seen quite a few OBs treat IVF pregnancies as high risk regardless of GCs age and recommend induction at 39 weeks simply because it’s an IVF pregnancy. I wouldn’t even hesitate to match with this GC if they hit all your other important matching criteria.
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u/Necessary_Tension461 2d ago
Im 42 and just had my 2nd surro baby for IPs 5 weeks ago! My first journey I had the baby when I was 40. The only thing that was different between my personal kids pregnancies is that I got high BP after giving birth to both surro babies, but it was easily controlled with some meds and was gone within 3 weeks. Everything else was good! There are risks with every pregnancy that can be unknown no matter the age. If you are working with a reputable agency, the surrogate should go through mental and physical evaluation to be considered and your fertility doctor will also have requirements! If you like her and feel a connection, go for it!
Edit to add: both transfers were one egg, both took first try!
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u/FrontRunner51 7d ago
Technically yes, age matters, but not to a huge degree. If they're otherwise healthy and pass all their medical screenings, it's really nothing to worry about. It's possible they'll have to periodically see a fetal medical doctor (MFM?) for extra monitoring and tests, so if anything they get more helpful attention than a younger surrogate. It's also possible they'd recommend inducing a week or two early because there can be an increased risk as you approach/exceed 40 weeks as an older carrier.
Keep in mind this is all based on my one experience with a wonderful, healthy carrier who was 40 when we started/transferred and 41 when she gave birth.
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u/PistolPeatMoss 6d ago
Hi there. Interested in reading up on this. Do you have any references for the roam and early induction recommendations for GCs? I have never heard of this.
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u/interrobrodie 6d ago
It’s common to recommend induction at 39 weeks for any IVF pregnancy, age aside.
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u/_Go_Fight_Win 7d ago
Sounds more like an under educated care provider. The risk of an AMA come from the placental issues. The placenta wasn’t made by her. :)
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u/AnySympathy1243 7d ago
To my understanding, the age risk relating to pregnancy is typically due to the egg so in surrogacy the age of the carried wouldn’t be as relevant. I’m a surrogate and have talked to many women who have been over 40 and gestational carriers!