Becoming a Surrogate: 8 Questions for Working Moms

A common question among gestational surrogate mothers is: “Can I become a surrogate mother, and continue my job?”- Well, you are in the right place for answers. We have encountered many women who have this question, which we will break in this blog.

If you’re planning to be surrogate and intended parents, this affirmation might have hit you hard. We want you to be aware of the factors surrounding types of surrogacy and the surrogacy process. Let’s dig into the question and answer to help you get clarity on the same:

#1 – Should I notify HR about my surrogacy?

It depends on your state’s employment laws and legal contract; you usually are not required to reveal your situation to HR. No matter if you’re getting pregnant through IVF, for any purpose, nobody should be bothered about whose baby is in your womb.

If you have good support from staff at work, you can discuss surrogacy without hesitation. Now, as a surrogate mother, it depends on you and your work environment, but usually, you are not obligated to reveal the personal details of your pregnancy.

#2 – How does the FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) work with surrogacy?

The FMLA is a federal program that allows expecting women employees to take up to 12 weeks leave after birth. This helps to build a better bond with the child. FMLA is not covered with a surrogate pregnancy since the child will not be coming home with you, nor is the baby genetically associated with the surrogate.

#3 – Am I eligible to receive paid time off?

Everything depends on your employer, whether they paid time off or not. We want every surrogate mother to have ample time to visit clinics for scheduled appointments on paid leave.

But in case you do not have any paid leaves and if your employer does not offer you one for medical appointments, maybe you can talk about the situation with the employer. It depends on the state you are residing as every state has a different law.

#4 – When can I return to work?

Well, if you’re giving natural birth, you would be expected to return to work when disability payments terminate. And the usual time is six weeks. We have met with some surrogates who have made things workable through one-on-one with the employer.

Suppose you have gone through a C-section for delivering the baby. You usually are given more time for healing than natural birth.

#5 – Being a surrogate mother, Am I eligible to receive Paid Family Leave disability payments for maternity?

Each state handles compensation for disability due to birth. But for California, United States, if the surrogate mother qualifies for inability in her work situation, she can enjoy maternity leaves and get fully paid. However, we recommend you contact us about your local regulations before moving ahead in this direction.

#6 – Do I need to disclose my compensation to the employer?

You are not obligated to reveal your compensation. Many employers compensate pregnant women without any problem. So, it is better don’t disclose and work normally as you are having a normal pregnancy. In the USA, many employers are accepting this new normal.

#7 – Can surrogates keep their full-time job?

We recommend to the surrogate mother be as contented and unaffected from the external stress as possible. As a woman, your physical health and well-being are of great importance.

We want you to be positive, avoid stress and take care of your current habits. We understand that life would be great if you facilitated surrogacy and went to work. Imagine getting paid double a year for your efforts.

Today, surrogacy has become the second-best job in several states of the USA.

Conclusion

Suppose you find an intended mother or you become a surrogate mother. Tell other mom friends about the opportunity and let them earn more. In that case, we hope that we can resolve your questions about your surrogacy journey and surrogate requirements ensuring to have better clarity about surrogacy as a working woman. For more information, you can contact surrogacy agencies, and you can get in touch with us at First Step Surrogacy today.