If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, you likely have many questions — about qualifications, your health, the medical process, and more. One common concern we hear from applicants is:
“Can I be a surrogate with herpes?”
Can You Become a Surrogate With Herpes?
Yes, you can be a surrogate with herpes as long as you are effectively managing your condition. In the case of HSV-1 (oral herpes), which causes cold sores, this typically does not affect your pregnancy or surrogacy experience at all.
If you have HSV-2 (genital herpes), precautions will be taken to protect the baby during pregnancy and delivery. For example, if there is an active outbreak at the time of delivery, your doctor may recommend a C-section to prevent transmission.
Throughout pregnancy, a fertility specialist or OB/GYN will monitor your condition closely and may prescribe antiviral medication in the final weeks of pregnancy to help prevent outbreaks. While neonatal herpes is extremely rare, it is a serious condition — which is why careful management during surrogacy is critical.
The bottom line: having herpes does not automatically disqualify you from becoming a surrogate. With proper care and honest communication with your agency and doctors, you can move forward safely.
Understanding Herpes: HSV-1 vs. HSV-2
Before diving deeper, let’s review what herpes actually is:
-
HSV-1: Typically causes oral herpes (cold sores around the mouth), but can also cause genital infections through oral-genital contact.
-
HSV-2: Primarily responsible for genital herpes.
Both forms of herpes are common. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about one in six adults in the United States has genital herpes (CDC, 2023).
Importantly, having either type does not mean you are unhealthy or unsafe to carry a pregnancy — especially when you work with qualified healthcare professionals throughout the surrogacy journey.
Does Having Herpes Automatically Disqualify You From Being a Surrogate?
No, not at all.
Having herpes is not an automatic disqualifier for surrogacy at Los Angeles Surrogacy or at most reputable agencies.
Instead, our approach — and that of the fertility clinics we partner with — is based on careful evaluation and individualized assessment.
When reviewing a surrogate candidate with herpes, we look at:
-
Overall health status
-
Management of the condition
-
Frequency of outbreaks
-
Willingness to follow medical guidelines
-
Past pregnancy outcomes (if applicable)
In most cases, if you are managing herpes well and meet other surrogate qualifications (such as age, health history, lifestyle, and previous uncomplicated pregnancies), you can still proceed.
Medical Screening for Surrogates With Herpes
Every surrogate at Los Angeles Surrogacy undergoes a thorough medical screening process, including:
-
Blood work (including infectious disease panels)
-
Pap smear and pelvic exam
-
Medical record review
-
Consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist
For candidates with herpes, we may request:
-
Additional OB/GYN consultation to review pregnancy safety
-
Current treatment plan verification (e.g., are you on antiviral medication?)
-
Past pregnancy records, if applicable (to see if prior deliveries were affected)
Remember: the goal is to ensure your health and the health of the future baby — not to disqualify you without cause.
How Is Herpes Managed During Pregnancy?
If you become pregnant as a surrogate and have a history of genital herpes, your OB/GYN will implement a management plan that usually includes:
-
Daily antiviral therapy (like acyclovir or valacyclovir) starting around 36 weeks of pregnancy.
-
Monitoring for signs of an outbreak leading up to delivery.
-
Careful decision-making about mode of delivery — vaginal delivery is usually safe if no outbreak is present, but a C-section is recommended if lesions appear.
With proper care, most women with herpes deliver healthy, full-term babies with no transmission.
How Herpes May Affect Your Surrogacy Timeline
Being a surrogate with herpes may slightly adjust the typical timeline:
-
Clearance: Medical clearance might take a little longer if specialists want additional evaluations.
-
Matching: Some intended parents prefer full transparency; in rare cases, additional discussions might occur.
-
Delivery planning: Doctors and case managers will work proactively with you to plan for possible contingencies at birth.
Overall, these adjustments are minor and completely manageable.
Psychological Screening and Herpes
As part of becoming a surrogate, you’ll also undergo a psychological evaluation to confirm emotional readiness for the process.
Your history of herpes:
-
Will not disqualify you emotionally.
-
Will not be treated as a negative factor unless it affects mental well-being or decision-making (which is extremely rare).
The focus is on ensuring you feel confident, supported, and emotionally prepared for your surrogacy journey — herpes diagnosis included.
FAQs About Becoming a Surrogate With Herpes
Will intended parents reject me because I have herpes?
In most cases, no. Intended parents focus more on finding a healthy, responsible, committed surrogate.
If you are managing herpes responsibly and communicate openly with the agency and doctors, most intended parents understand that the risk to the baby is minimal with proper care.
Will my medical costs related to herpes be covered?
Yes. All pregnancy-related medical care — including antiviral therapy if needed — is covered by intended parents through surrogacy agreements. You will not be responsible for any additional medical costs.
Can I still have a vaginal delivery?
Yes, if you do not have an active outbreak at the time of labor. If an outbreak occurs, your doctor will recommend a C-section to protect the baby. Many surrogates with herpes successfully deliver vaginally without any complications.
What if I have an outbreak during pregnancy?
Doctors will monitor you carefully. An outbreak during pregnancy is manageable and not a reason to panic. Antiviral medications are very effective, and the team will support you every step of the way.
Important Medical Facts About Herpes and Pregnancy
-
Antiviral medications reduce herpes outbreaks by up to 80%.
-
Scheduled C-sections eliminate almost all risk of neonatal herpes.
-
Neonatal herpes is very rare (about 1 in 10,000 births according to ACOG).
-
Daily suppression therapy during the third trimester is extremely effective.
Working with knowledgeable OB/GYNs, fertility doctors, and agencies like Los Angeles Surrogacy dramatically minimizes any potential risks.
Stigma Around Herpes: Setting the Record Straight
It’s important to address the social stigma that sometimes still surrounds herpes:
-
Herpes is extremely common.
-
It does not reflect poor health or moral failure.
-
Millions of healthy pregnancies occur in women with herpes every year.
At Los Angeles Surrogacy, we treat every surrogate applicant with dignity, compassion, and respect — always focusing on the total health and readiness of the individual.
Why Choose Los Angeles Surrogacy?
If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, working with the right agency matters — especially if you have unique health considerations like herpes.
At Los Angeles Surrogacy, we offer:
-
Personalized support: One dedicated case manager guides you from start to finish.
-
Expert medical partnerships: We work with top fertility specialists who understand managing herpes safely during pregnancy.
-
Transparency and advocacy: You’re treated as a vital, respected part of the intended parent’s family-building journey.
-
No judgment, only support: We believe your health history is part of your strength, not a limitation.
Final Thoughts: Yes, You Can Be a Surrogate With Herpes
If you’re living with herpes and dreaming of helping someone build their family, don’t let myths or fear hold you back.
With:
-
Proper antiviral management
-
Good communication
-
High-quality medical support
—you can absolutely become a successful, celebrated surrogate.
At Los Angeles Surrogacy, we’re honored to help women like you embark on this life-changing journey.
Apply today at LosAngelesSurrogacy.com or call 800-204-7129 to get started.
We’re ready to guide you, support you, and celebrate your courage.
Sources: