Couples base their decision on different factors.
Some couples select a woman because of physical similarity to them. Others want a surrogate who perhaps scored unusually high academically. All couples, however, look for a woman who is healthy, has no significant medical or psychological difficulties, is emotionally and mentally stable, conceives easily, and who is responsible and mature enough to realize that the couple is placing an enormous amount of responsibility and trust in her to carry their child. To be a surrogate in our program, a woman must be between 21-36 and previously have had a child. The typical surrogate then is in this age range, married, employed, and solidly middle class.