This listserv is intended to be an online support group for surrogate mothers, intended parents, and egg donors.  If you have been, are currently, or plan to become a surrogate mother, parent via surrogacy, or egg donor, you are welcome to join.

If you would like to become a member of this listserv, please review the membership rules. If you agree to abide by the rules set forth below and would like to join the listserv, please fill out and submit a listserv application. You will be notified when you have been added to the listserv.

Membership Rules

1. Introduction: We ask that you send a brief introductory message within 3 days of being subscribed to the group. This helps us to get to know one another and allows us to feel as if we are among friends, rather than strangers. It also gives other members the opportunity to welcome you to the group. Members who do not introduce themselves within 3 days of joining the listserv will be unsubscribed without notification.

2. Topics: Postings to the listserv should be predominantly surrogacy related and of interest to the group as a whole. If your message is intended for a single individual, please consider sending it privately.

3. Atmosphere: In order to maintain a friendly and welcome atmosphere, please keep the discussion as polite as possible.  Abusive behavior will not be tolerated.  Anyone who breaks this rule will be subject to removal without notice.

4. Privacy: Respect the privacy of others. Personal information and/or issues discussed here are to be kept private. Do not discuss any member's personal situation outside of this forum. This rule is paramount in any support group and anyone who cannot abide by it will be promptly unsubscribed. Trust is a key ingredient of our listserv.  Discussing or forwarding other members' private information, or allowing those who are not members of the listserv to access your account is strictly prohibited.  We insist on every member's cooperation on this very important issue.   At times it might be appropriate for the listserv moderator to disccus listserv issues with the owner of SMO.  This is the only exception to the privacy rule.

5. Honesty: Here at SMO, we subscribe to the belief that honesty is always the best policy.   Dishonesty of any type will not be tolerated, as it obviously has the potential to be very hurtful to others as well as to the surrogacy world in general.   If we are made aware of someone who is misrepresenting themselves or lying, and there is proof of their dishonesty, that member will be unsubscribed from the SMO listserv, as well as banned from the SMO classified ads and message boards.

6. Posting Frequency: Many members have expressed concern about sharing their personal stories and information when they do not know who is "lurking" on the listserv. For this reason, we believe it is in the best interest of the group to require members to post a surrogacy-related message at least once per month. Individuals who do not abide by this rule will be unsubscribed without notice.

7. Solicitation (Individuals): Please do not solicit or advertise for a surrogate or couple on this group. Some of our members might not feel comfortable posting if they have to worry about being solicited by other members. If you are looking for a surrogate or a couple, please visit the classifieds section and make your contacts via private email.

8. Solicitation (Professionals): Only those who have a personal interest in surrogacy may join the listserv. Those who are professionals in the surrogacy field may join the group, provided that their sole interest is to gain and/or provide support on a personal level. SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.