For me that would be too hard. I don't know if I could unless it was something I really believed it. AND I would only do it for someone that I knew would be the best parents...better than I am.

If you were a gestational surrogate, not giving up the child would not even be an option. Genetically, it would not be your child. You'd merely be a vessel in the process and there would be zero choice in the matter because you'd have no relation to the baby in that case.

Trust me when I say that the last thing a couple seeking surrogacy would ever want to experience is a surrogate that changes her mind. The journey to surrogacy is hard enough (meaning most couples suffer from years of infertility). If you aren't 100% sure you could do it, then don't.

Ok, I'm going to be the odd one so far.  I think the questions/concerns you're having is totally normal in the surrogacy decision process.  There is no way that women have NOT thought these things when deciding if being a surrogate is right for them.  Of course you're going to wonder how you'll deal emotionally, you're human after all. 
If you can make peace with these concerns- then you're ready.  If you cannot make peace- if you really feel it would bother you to go through 9 months of pregnancy then hours of labor and minutes of your vagina stretching and tearing only to receive 20k for compensation- if that bothers you- then of course don't go for it. 
But if you made peace- if you realize- yes of course it's hard to put your body through that and not have your own baby to care for in the end but you know you're mentally strong enough to get over it PLUS you said you don't want a baby to care for right now anyways so it is more ideal for you anyways. 

It's a huge decision, so of course you dont want to take it lightly.  And I think it's responsible to talk out these feelings/concerns rather than just going for it.  Ultimately- it is up to you!

I'd like to thank everyone who has commented so far, no matter their views. Honestly, I was looking for some devil's advocates, yays and nays and all other views besides. I'm trying to think of something  I might've missed and wanted to enlist the help of others in that decision process.

Nina1981@xanga and  KimisBarbie@xanga mentioned a couple things I very much appreciate, especially the validation of the human heart.

Before this decision is made I will be 100% devoted to it if I decide to go forward, of course, but thank you everyone for you comments.

I've actually considered it as well.  I have a BEAUTIFUL baby boy and he is healthy as can be. I loved being pregnant and want another baby but we don't have the finances. I can't work because I have my son at home with me for at least another year and could do it, but there's a lot of things that could keep me from being considered. So I have decided it would be stupid to even try. I am tired of thinking that a person who is heavy must be unhealthy or if you have people in your history that have like, diabetes or something that you can't hold a child. Seriously, I had absolutely no complications and delivered with no problems. It wouldn't even be my dna, so why do they cancel out people who are not 100% perfect. I have a sleeping disorder which they have no idea if it's genetic or not, but seriously, it has no impact on the baby because my genes aren't part of the process! Regardless, I'd rather in some ways not bother only because it would be a burden to a poor couple who is already worried about someone  else carrying  their child. I'd do it though. If they would let me. lol

@twosidedme@xanga - I've never seen Army Wives but the "good deed" aspect of it is part of why I'm so drawn to do it now. Something needs to balance out the evil in this world and the only thing I have to do that with is me.

Have you considered being an egg donor first?  That's what a woman I used to babysit did and it helped her to realize that she could be a surrogate and she ended up being a surrogate several times, & loved it each time.

I can't say I haven't thought about it as well.  I'm in a good place to do something like that:  healthy, have three kids of my own (so handing one over might not be too difficult), have good natural births without complications... my chiro actually said to me once, "It seems your body loves having babies!"  (when he went to adjust me after my third birth and I didn't need an adjustment... though it was less than 48 hours after a long labor so i think i almost slapped him...)

I just hesitate on the part where I have to mess with my hormones through the pregnancy.  I wasn't a happy pregnant woman.  To put my family through that and then not even have the baby at the end...?  I'm not sure.  But I haven't gotten serious about it... maybe I should.  Talk it over with the hubs.  :)

@itscatwithak@xanga - I have considered being an egg donor, but I have a genetic history of skin cancer which knocks me out, at least for the agency I've been talking with. I looked into that first, actually.

@mamaseahorse - Messing with my hormones does make me nervous as well. My first pregnancy and delivery had no complications, labor was only 8 hrs and my son was/is healthy as a horse.

@Cakeslegs@xanga - I have tthought about other avenues I coulg walk down, yes, and am considering those as well, but surrogacy has held a special place of interest in my life for a long time. Part of it is probably because I have relatives and family friends who were unble to have children who adopted, etc..

I don't believe in intervening in reproduction.  Conceive your own child naturally or adopt someone else's.

I think these are normal feelings that everyone would be concerned about, I think that you would have to get to know the people that you would be a possible surrogate mother for and if you still had the personal doubts about your ability to hand the child over to them then don't do it. Although it is an amazing act of kindness even if you would be receiving money for it, you should not emotionally devastate yourself in order to give to someone else because you have children and others that rely on your emotional stability.

It is good that you are trying to see how you feel about it though, this isn't something you want to go into on a whim.

Personally, I'm against the whole thing on moral/ethical grounds. Instead of creating life that nature doesn't want, I wish people would adopt. There are so many children already here that are in need of loving homes.
But, aside from that, I know it would destroy me to carry a child for nine months and come up empty when it's said and done. Also, it is a strain on your body (duh).