surrogacy reveal

How to Announce Your Baby’s Birth Via Surrogacy

Posted by Shiva Landry on

surrogacy revealAnnouncing the birth of your baby is always an exciting moment. Typically, these announcements are made with pictures of the new baby with the stats such as weight, length, and time of birth. But how do you announce the birth of a baby born via surrogacy? Here are some tips.

Photoshoots are a popular choice to tell others about your surrogacy journey visually. These photoshoots can include the intended parents, with or without the surrogate. However, including the surrogate is a fun way to document the journey for your child.

Another tradition many soon-to-be parents partake in is the gender reveal party. This is still possible even when you’re having the baby with a surrogate. Inviting your surrogate to the party, will help build upon your connection with her and help you feel closer to your baby. A gender reveal party can be combined with a baby shower. Even if you are not the one giving birth to your baby, the idea is to celebrate the baby and pregnancy. It should be a fun occasion for the Intended Parents and for the surrogate. It’s also a great way to introduce your surrogate to your friends and family.

If having a party seems too impersonal, you can start by having an intimate sit down with your loved ones. This conversation should be held somewhere everyone feels at ease, such as at home. Most likely, your family will have many questions about surrogacy, so be prepared to answer questions they may have. Having this intimate conversation will make for less stress for all those involved.

Many doctors recommend with a traditional pregnancy, parents wait until 12 weeks of pregnancy to make any announcements- at this point, the risk of miscarriage decreases significantly. While this is still true with surrogacy as well, many intended parents wait until halfway through the pregnancy or even when their baby is born to share their news with the world. While telling loved ones early on in the journey is important, this can be done privately, and then once the baby is here, it can be announced to everyone else in your network.

In the end, this is your story, and it’s completely up to you on how and when you choose to announce it.

If you are interested in learning more about surrogacy options or are interested in becoming a surrogate mother, please contact us at 713-622-1144, and we will be here to help you with any questions.

surrogacy match

What Makes a Great Surrogacy Match?

Posted by Shiva Landry on with 0 Comment

surrogacy matchThe process of matching intended parents and their surrogate is one of the most exciting parts of the surrogacy process! Shared Conception’s objective is that the surrogate and intended parents interact in a comfortable environment and that both parties build a good rapport and partnership. So, what makes a great surrogacy match?

There are many factors we take into consideration when we begin the match-making process. Once a surrogate is accepted into our surrogate mother program, we expertly determine which couples to present her to based upon the criteria she expressed to us during the screening process and the preferences of the intended parents that we are working with.

Personal values

A surrogacy relationship is an intimate relationship in many ways so sharing similar personal values is important. While this doesn’t mean you must agree on everything, it is essential to have personal values that are closely aligned. What personal values are important is different for everyone, so the match meeting is the best time for both sides to ask each other questions to make sure that their beliefs align.

Communication

As with any significant relationship, communication is key. The styles of communication are critical in the surrogacy journey. We look at how both parties prefer to communicate—do both parties prefer texting, emailing, phone calls or in-person meetings? How often is communication needed? Setting expectations regarding communication is very important so neither side is disappointed.

Involvement

Understanding the level of involvement that will be comfortable for both parties is essential. Most surrogates and the intended parents have weekly communication during the pregnancy and update each other after delivery with pictures, texts and calls. There are also some that have constant contact during the journey and see each other often after the baby is born, while a rare few are strictly business and do not plan to have any relationship after this journey ends.

Deal Breakers

This is one of the most important factors to consider. While the agency does screen the surrogate for issues like criminal history or medical issues, there may be other deal breakers to consider. For example, the intended parents may want the surrogate to have a natural birth, but the surrogate will not give birth without an epidural. Views on getting vaccinations can also be a deal breaker. While there can be compromises on some issues, there are some absolutes, and it is best to know what those are for both parties from the very beginning.

Connection

Sometimes the most important aspect of the surrogacy relationship is how well the parties connect with each other. We tell our intended parents and surrogates to trust their intuition. Does it feel right? Do they get emotional when they think about working with each other? Always trust your gut!

Interested in Surrogacy?

If you are interested in learning more about surrogacy options or are interested in becoming a surrogate mother, please contact us at 713-622-1144, and we will be here to help you with any questions.

how to tell your child they were born via surrogacy

How to Tell Your Child They Were Born Via Surrogacy

Posted by Shiva Landry on

Parents have always found it a little uncomfortable to discuss where babies come from with their children. When the birth involves social, emotional, or other complexities such as surrogacy, it can be extremely overwhelming.

While it can be difficult, experts agree that it is important to be honest with your children about their surrogacy story from the very beginning.

Why Should You Tell Them?

Many experts, including psychologists and reproductive experts, believe that children have a right to know their origins. They believe this contributes to a child’s sense of identity, self-esteem, and view of their place in the world.

Another important reason is that you may have to disclose your child’s familial history every time they visit a doctor. It can become uncomfortable if you try to keep it a secret from your child, especially as they get older. This is especially important if you use donor eggs or sperm. At Shared Conception, about half of our clients use donors during their surrogacy journey.

If you are in a same-sex marriage or partnership, your child will likely also have questions about where they came from.

These are all important reasons to have the surrogacy discussion with your child. Whatever your reason is, it is essential to be honest with your child about their conception.

How Do I Tell Them?

You want to remain honest but also age-appropriate in your explanations. Begin with a more gentle introduction to the concept. You can do this in several ways such as reading them a children’s book that explains surrogacy. Young children tend to be extremely open-minded, so it’s crucial to establish surrogacy as a positive story from the beginning and as early as possible.

It’s good to be straightforward when explaining surrogacy to children versus overwhelming them with details they may not fully understand yet. If they ask questions, answer them in the same fashion that any other parent would when it comes to conversations of this type.

What If I Feel Overwhelmed About Telling Them?

If you feel like having this conversation with your child might be too overwhelming for you, that’s ok! Ask for help. Family therapists are often very comfortable talking with you and your child about modern family dynamics and norms.

If your surrogate is still part of your family’s life, it is ok to ask them to help explain. It would be great to show you child pictures if there were any taken during the pregnancy phase. At the end of the day, you just want your child to know that they are loved and supported.

What Happens If My Child Handles It Negatively?

It’s natural for children to sometimes feel upset, angry, confused, or awkward by these types of conversations, and that’s ok! Remember, your child still loves you; they’re just absorbing a lot of information, and they have to process it in their own way. You can also talk to a family therapist to help the child understand and work through their emotions. Always show your child empathy and consideration and remind yourself these feelings are not directed at you personally.

Final Thoughts

As intended parents, you need to view the discussion of surrogacy as an ongoing conversation with your child rather than a one-time talk. The more information you provide your child with, the better their understanding of the situation will be.

If you are interested in learning more about surrogacy options or are interested in becoming a surrogate mother, please contact us at 713-622-1144, and we will be here to help you with any questions.

bad weather

How to Prepare for Storms and Power Outages While Pregnant

Posted by Shiva Landry on

bad weatherBeing pregnant can be stressful on its own, but when there are things like flooding, power outages, or another bad weather-related emergency, being unprepared can add extra layers of worry.

While it is easier said than done, above all else, try not to stress out. Stress can adversely affect your body and the baby. Below are ways to prepare and ideas on what to do during such an event.

Being in Texas means there are occasional hurricanes. Thankfully in most cases, there is enough warning to prepare properly. Before the hurricane arrives, you should create a family communication plan, so everyone knows what needs to be done before and during the hurricane (or an evacuation). Review and practice the plan. Be sure to include the intended parents on what your plans are.

While you may have had a specific hospital in mind to deliver your baby, you need to have alternate locations where you can have your baby if the hospital or birthing center is not an option during the storm. If you are close to your due date, speak with your health care provider in advance on what they recommend to do in case of an emergency. They may be able to provide you with a list of resources, safety precautions and dos and don’ts specific to your pregnancy needs.

If you plan to go to a hospital shelter, check in advance to see if they have a room for you, who may come with you, and what supplies you will need to bring. Typically, in these situations, space is very limited.

Next, you should pack your emergency supplies. This is a great list of items you should pack if you are pregnant:

  • Nutritious foods such as protein bars, nuts, dried fruit, and granola
  • Maternity and baby clothes
  • Prenatal vitamins and other medications (Make sure to have a list of all prescriptions and vitamins you currently take and have at least a two-week supply). Keep these in a sealable plastic bag. Also, if possible, bring all medications in their original prescription bottle. In an emergency, an emergency decree allowing pharmacies to refill medications may be made, but you must have the original bottle.)
  • Extra bottled water
  • Emergency birth supplies such as clean towels, sharp scissors, infant bulb syringe, medical gloves, two white shoelaces, sheets, and sanitary pads
  • Two blankets
  • Closed-toe shoes

*list provided by http://www.getreadyforflu.org/Resources/Fact-Sheets/Family-Hurricanes

If you have a chronic medical condition or pregnancy-related complication and are planning to leave town, it is important to bring your current medications, your most recently updated medical records, and the name and phone number of your health care provider.

What to Do After the Hurricane

Once the storm has passed, the cleanup and recovery phase begins. During this time, be careful not to become dehydrated or over-tired. Both of these are contributing factors to premature labor. Be sure to get plenty of rest by taking frequent breaks, drink plenty of water, if possible, take cool showers, wash hands well and frequently (especially after any contact with floodwaters), do not lift heavy objects, know the signs the signs of preterm labor.

What Happens if You Give Birth During a Storm

The low-pressure systems that come with hurricanes can cause women to go into labor. The signs of labor include increased back pressure and pain, vaginal leaking, light contractions, and your water breaking. If you go into labor during the storm, first call 911. Do not attempt to drive if there is flooding or other severe weather alerts. Driving could make things worse, so above all else, keep you and the baby safe.

If you have to give birth at your home or an alternate location, get in touch with your hospital, health care provider, intended parents, and both sets of attorneys as soon as possible. If you have to evacuate to a shelter, be sure to alert those in charge about your condition right away so that they can find someone to help you. It’s

How to Feed During a Power Outage

If you delivered your baby during the storm and still do not have power, here are some ways you can still feed the baby:

  • Pump in the car: most breast pumps can run off your car battery (if your pump needs a car adapter, be sure to look into purchasing this as part of your emergency supplies).
  • Hand pumps: Make sure to have a hand pump. These are easy and do not require any electricity.

As a side note, if you have the ability to freeze any milk before the power outage, a good rule of thumb when determining if the milk is still ok is—if there are still ice crystals in the milk, it is fine. Ice crystals mean that it is still frozen and should be safe for the baby.

After Storm Recovery

Once the storm has passed and recovery efforts are finished, if it is safe to do so, it will be time to meet with the intended parents. Hopefully, too much time hasn’t passed since the intended parents will be on pins and needles waiting to meet their sweet baby! Shared Conception will be here to help you through this process. If you have any questions about preparing for a storm or how to stay in touch with our agency and the intended parents, please contact us at: 713-622-1144.

 

surrogacy journey

Understanding the Journey of Surrogacy- From the Perspective of a Surrogate

Posted by Shiva Landry on

surrogacy journeyBeing a surrogate provides a ray of hope for other families. This knowledge strengthens the resolve of a surrogate and helps surrogates stay strong through the emotional and physical challenges of pregnancy. Surrogates should embrace and celebrate that they will be the giver of the most invaluable gift.

Surrogates work on fostering a connection with the intended parents. Surrogates make them as much a part of the journey as they can so that the intended parents can begin building cherished memories for their future family.

How Surrogacy Affects the Surrogate

Many former and current surrogates say the process of surrogacy will be a life-changing experience but in the best of ways. While they do receive a base compensation for it, the best reward is being able to provide this meaningful gift to a loving couple.

Surrogacy is a selfless and fantastic gift, but it takes a woman of phenomenal strength to volunteer for it and she should feel immense pride.

What Surrogate Mothers have to Say

What does being a surrogate feel like? They say it is one thing to go through the action and the steps, but it is another to embrace the emotional journey. Their best approach, say experienced surrogates, is to hear the stories of other surrogate women, just as they share a glimpse of theirs here.

They say the amazing journey of other surrogate mothers inspires them to become one. For one surrogate mother, her surrogacy journey began with realizing how much she loved being pregnant. She has three little boys of her own. When her own family was complete, she knew she had to share this gift others. In mutual agreement with her husband, she began her inspirational surrogacy journey.

Final Thoughts

For surrogates, helping others comes very naturally to them. For them, surrogacy builds upon one vital truth: they can help two people become parents and experience the extraordinary joy of nurturing a life.

If you would love some guidance on your surrogacy journey, feel free to contact us.

How to Recognize Your Calling for Surrogacy

Posted by Shiva Landry on with 0 Comment

For couples who have long yearned for parenthood, surrogates are no less than superheroes for them. Selflessness, unconditional empathy, and desire to complete another couple’s family make them superheroes. The amazing fact is that they’re ordinary women, but they do incredible things in their ordinariness, like volunteering for a phenomenal cause.

Every woman is precious and unique: you’ll find women from all walks of life stepping up to be surrogates, including stay-at-home moms, lawyers, teachers, factory workers, and even students. What unites these extraordinary women is their mutual and astounding desire for an experience that is greater and more fulfilling than anything else.

Surrogacy is an incredible calling. But what are the motivating factors or the signs that help a woman recognize her calling for it? Let’s find out below.

1. A Desire to Help Barren Couples or individuals Start their Family

For women, there can be no surer sign that they are called to be surrogates than having a heartfelt desire to help couples/individuals become parents. A woman may know of a barren couple/individual in her circle or may feel the emptiness and longing ache of those who don’t have children.

Hence, if she feels an undeniable desire to help give life and facilitate others experiencing the joy of parenthood, it is a sign of her calling. Realizing her ability to create life and complete another family signifies a calling for surrogacy.

Many women may find it challenging to put their unique perspectives into words. But it is the indescribable desire of wanting to share the unique experience of completion, parenthood, and life-creation that is the first sign of their calling.

2. Empathizing with Those Struggling with Infertility

Infertility has become a widespread struggle for many, as the surrogacy agencies in Texas will testify. Around ten percent or more women in the US alone struggle to get pregnant or carry their pregnancy to term safely every year. Women who are deeply empathetic and passionate with those struggling with infertility realize their calling for surrogacy.

A sure sign of your calling to be a surrogate is when you wish, above anything else, to provide a safe alternative to another couple. Medical experts will testify that surrogacy is the safest alternative for those struggling with genetic pregnancies.

Hence, when you feel the overpowering desire to carry a baby in your womb just so another couple can have a family, you know you are called to be a surrogate.

3. The Experience

Others find pregnancy overwhelming, but those who have a calling for surrogacy find it a rewarding, wholesome, unique, and enjoyable experience. If you relate to all these feelings, you should evaluate how much you would love to be a surrogate.

When some women reach the end of their pregnancy journey, they feel a strange sense of nostalgia. It begins when they experience the first kick, and lasts all the while they are pregnant. If this is what you feel, too, then there can be no doubt that you have the heart and soul of a surrogate.

Often, the reason behind repeated surrogacies is because women wish to relive the amazing feeling of giving life, being a protector and a carrier for a precious bundle of joy. It is even more wholesome and rewarding when this feeling combines with the joy and pride of seeing another family complete because you could deliver for them.

4. Wanting to Belong to the Surrogacy Sisterhood Community

Surrogacy is a tight-knit sisterhood community. It is a community of gestational carriers wanting to carry the baby for other women who are unable to carry a pregnancy to term. If you feel a deep longing to belong and contribute to this community and belong to it forever, you are called to be a surrogate.

The surrogacy sisterhood community uplifts other women by sharing their life-giving journey. It is a community where women reach out to help each other, experience a remarkable journey with them, and be their support to lean on in distressing times.

The community celebrates together when a family completes and does not let a couple’s longing for parenthood and having their own family remain unfulfilled. Those who wish to play a significant part in this journey of completion are doubtlessly born to be surrogates.

Becoming a Surrogate – Evaluate Yourself

When you have identified the signs of your calling and are willing to embark on the journey, take some time to evaluate your readiness. Perhaps you can prepare yourself by questioning your perspectives, your objectives, and yourself with these questions:

  • Do I lead the kind of lifestyle necessary for the process of surrogate pregnancy? What do I need to change or restructure to make it easier?
  • What are my reasons for becoming a surrogate?
  • Am I ready to change my personal life, family responsibilities, and career to become a surrogate?
  • Am I willing to compromise my work time and career objectives for a year?
  • Will I manage to keep up with the medical plan for surrogate fertility?
  • Can anything in my background raise a potential red flag about my ability to deliver a child safely? Do I have optimal health for completing a successful pregnancy journey for another?
  • Am I willing to work with the intended parents for this journey and give them a year of my life to complete their family?

With these questions, your willingness and resolve to become a surrogate will become more straightforward, and even stronger. It will also give you a clear analysis of your emotional, mental and physical readiness to undergo what will indeed be a unique and larger-than-yourself experience of life.

Final Thoughts

The calling of surrogacy is like no other. It rewards the surrogate women in a way that no other achievements in life can match up to. For women who recognize the desires, the empathy, and the soul-deep willingness to end the struggle of another, there can be no greater sign than their greater calling to be a surrogate.

Once you deliver a child safe on another’s behalf, it will change your life in the best way possible. If you have further questions regarding the surrogacy process, feel free to contact us.

 

 

surrogate gift giving

Surrogate Gift Giving

Posted by Shiva Landry on

surrogate gift givingOur intended parents often ask us about gifts for their surrogates. Gifts are not required nor expected, but many intended parents would like to express their gratitude with small tokens of appreciation along the journey.

When Shared Conception matches a surrogate with the intended parents, we share the surrogate’s ‘favorites’ list. This document is a tool to help you get to know your surrogate and help aid in the gift-giving search.

Gifts do not need to be expensive but just small ways to say thank you. Here are some examples of when intended parents most often give a gift: the first time meeting face to face, at the 20 week ultrasound or anatomy scan, and at the baby’s birth. Some intended parents may even give a gift on the surrogate’s birthday. These could include homemade treats, candles, lotions, gift cards, grocery deliveries, maternity clothes, or even a prenatal massage.

As your surrogate recovers after giving birth, she will have emotional periods while her body returns to normal. Special mementos of your baby can help remind her of the incredible journey. Even something small like a card with a picture is a great way of saying you are thinking of her. You may also consider a small gift for your surrogate’s children during the holidays; doing so is a way of recognizing the dedication and love she has for her own family. If you are continuing the relationship between your families after the baby is born, gift-giving may continue for years to come. An example of such a gift would be a scrapbook of his or her milestones to present to your surrogate.

Interested in Surrogacy or Becoming a Surrogate?

Surrogacy journeys foster a special bond unlike any that you will ever have. If you any questions or are interested in surrogacy or becoming a surrogate, give Shared Conception a call today.

surrogate compensation

Surrogate Compensation

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surrogate compensation

At Shared Conception, most of our surrogate mothers rarely use money as a factor for being a surrogate. They truly enjoy the idea of helping a family, enjoy being pregnant, and feel that the journey is more of a calling for them.

That being said—being a surrogate is a full-time job on its own. Between the matching process, medical appointments, pre-transfer preparation, and transfer, the surrogacy process can take 12 to 18 months. A question we are often asked is how is the compensation disbursed?

Our clients at Shared Conception use a surrogacy escrow agency. This agency, along with your contract, is your direct line to all your financial questions. This prevents any awkward conversations about finances between you and your Intended Parents.

Compensation begins on the 1st or 15th of the month following a heartbeat confirmation and on the same date each month thereafter, usually in 8 additional installments.

Surrogate mothers receive compensation for the following items:

  1. Transfer fee
  2. Start of medication fees
  3. Allowance for maternity clothes
  4. Multiples Fee(in the event you are carrying twins)
  5. C-Section (if required by physician)
  6. Medical insurance co-pays and deductibles
  7. Invasive Procedures
  8. Breast milk pump supplies, machine rental and shipping costs

During the surrogate process, there may be additional cases that require contingency fees. Such cases could include if the surrogate is put on bed rest. Items that would be covered would be childcare, lost wages and housekeeping for the duration of the bed request order.

Monthly incidental allowance is also included. This allowance is intended to cover for the surrogate’s travel expenses including meals and mileage (under 75 miles ach way), parking, phone, postage, faxing, childcare, notary, over-the-counter medications and other incidentals.

It’s important to note that the total compensation amount can vary greatly based on experience as a surrogate, what type of insurance the surrogate carries and specific procedures the surrogate may go through.

Final Thoughts

Surrogacy agencies in Texas play an active part in facilitating the process for surrogate women and intended parents. There are many steps involved in the process but Shared Conception is here to help with each step!

For any queries you may have regarding your surrogacy journey or surrogate compensation, feel free to reach out to us at www.sharedconception.com!

pregnant with multiples

What Happens if Surrogate is Carrying Multiples

Posted by Shiva Landry on

pregnant with multiples
You decided to take the path of surrogacy but find out your surrogate mother is carrying multiples. Now what happens?

Multiple pregnancies(this is when more than one embryo implants in your uterus) are not uncommon and are often associated with IVF (in vitro fertilization). In the past, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommended transferring more than one embryo for a higher chance of success. However, this is no longer the case. Single embryo transfers are now advised and recommended.

In the event a multiple pregnancy occurs, it’s important for the surrogate and intended parents to discuss their next steps. In some cases, it used to be recommended by the doctor to perform selective reduction. It was a difficult decision for both the surrogate and the intended parents, but in those cases, it might have been the best decision for the babies because it decreased risk and increased the chance of a successful, full-term pregnancy and delivery of a healthy baby. This was more common when it was common practice to transfer two embryos, and one or two could split, resulting in triplets or quadruplets. Also, with the current abortion laws in Texas, this is not even an option anymore.

As intended parents, if you are looking for a large family, you may view the advantages of having multiple children at once. Still, it’s important to seriously consider the risks you are asking the surrogate to take on. When a surrogate mother carries more than one child, there is a higher chance of being put on bed rest and a higher risk of complications. Often, a surrogate carrying multiples will be referred to a high-risk specialist.

Other risks a gestational carrier (surrogate) may face if carrying multiples:

  • Preterm labor and delivery
  • Cesarean section
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Placental abruption
  • Low birth weight

These are just a few of the risks. While Shared Conception has rigorous requirements for approval for women to qualify to be surrogate mothers, there is always a chance that unforeseen complications could arise, and that risk increases with instances of a multiple pregnancy.

Another aspect to consider is the increased costs that a multiples pregnancy can incur. NICU stays from a few days to several months are the norm with multiple pregnancies. This could add up quickly for the intended parents, not to mention the extremely high probability of long-term bed rest for the surrogate. During bed rest, intended parents are liable for lost wages, childcare, housekeeping, and other costs. Not only could costs be astronomical for the intended parents, but it also poses an extreme hardship on the surrogate and her family.

If you want to have twins, this is something you, as the intended parents and the surrogate, should discuss in advance and agree upon.

Surrogacy agencies in Texas play an active part in facilitating the process for surrogate women and intended parents. There are many steps involved in the surrogacy process, but Shared Conception is here to help with each step!

For any queries you may have regarding your surrogacy journey, feel free to reach out to us at www.sharedconception.com!

surrogate with child

How to Explain Surrogacy to Your Children

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surrogate with child

Introduction

During the surrogacy process, it’s important to educate your children on the subject as well. After all, they deserve to be a part of the journey as well. So you must begin the wholesome journey as a family by explaining surrogacy to your children.

We commend your reasons for becoming a surrogate. It’s true that there are few acts as selfless and compassionate as the act of becoming a surrogate. It is a rewarding and life-altering decision, but it’s not easy for everyone to accept, especially children.

Children can have varying reactions to the prospect of surrogacy. But who can blame them for wondering why their mom won’t bring home their new sibling?

To prevent your kids from feeling disheartened, you have to help them understand that the baby is only a guest, like a distant cousin or aunt staying over during the holidays. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to distance your kids from the process altogether. You can tell them that once the baby arrives, you and your kids will gift the bundle of joy to a family who needs it the most. When you treat the baby as a gift that’s meant for someone else, your children will feel excited about the prospect of gifting a baby to a couple that isn’t blessed with children.

Many surrogacy agencies in Texas will also confirm with the surrogate applicants if they have taken this decision with the consent of their families. Conception through surrogacy can be a new and unfamiliar concept for a surrogate’s family. Luckily, there are ways to introduce your kids to the concept.

Process of Surrogate Pregnancy- How to explain it to Your Kids

The sooner you start discussing surrogacy with your children, the more accepting they will become of it. But we recommend approaching the subject carefully and being positive when discussing it.

Nowadays, you can find plenty of children’s books on new concepts. You can even practice family-building techniques. Here are a few ideas to help you introduce surrogate pregnancy to your children.

1.      Book Resources

Fill your children’s library with a host of books on surrogacy. Make sure they’re all kid-friendly and, most importantly, easy enough to understand at their level. These books include colorful illustrations, and reading them is a great family activity. Similarly, trying family-building approaches toward surrogacy will help your family accept the process while strengthening your bond at the same time.

These book resources help normalize surrogacy and explain to children how the baby will go to people who can’t have children. From here, the book will explain how many families can’t conceive naturally, so as a surrogate, you’re making their dream come true.

2.      Introduce Your Children to the Intended Parents

It’s important to ensure that your children feel involved in your decision to become a surrogate. This can start with having them meet the intended parents.

In fact, it would be a great idea to have the intended parents bond with your children. It’s a great opportunity for your kids to bond with the family and understand where the surrogate baby will go.

When you tell your children about what a blessing children are for parents, they will become empathetic towards intended parents who can’t conceive a child on their own. This will drive compassion in your kids. They’ll become more understanding and supportive when they understand what others may be going through.

3.      Make Surrogacy a Concept for Activities

You could involve your children in a range of creative activities, like drawing and painting about surrogacy. You can build your children’s creativity by getting them to draw happy scenes of when the new baby will be with its intended parents.

Talk to them about the joy intended parents feel, just as you felt when your kids were born. Make them draw pictures of it, and use colors, to portray imagination. You could even ask your children to prepare a special storybook for the surrogate-born baby and gift it to the intended parents.

You could have them take pictures to add to the family album. When the baby is old enough, the intended parents can show these pictures

4.      Go Shopping for a Gift

Children will be more accepting of the fact that the baby is a gift from them to the intended parents. You can use a few tactics to help your kids acknowledge this. For instance, take the children shopping to get a gift for the newborn baby. Tell them that the baby and the present will both be a gift from your children to the intended parents during such an important moment in their lives.

You could let them choose an outfit for the newborn, or perhaps a blanket. The activity pleases your little ones and allows them to be proud of being a source of happiness for others.

5.      Arm Your Children with Knowledge

One reason your kids might be apprehensive about the process of surrogate pregnancy is how their peers and society will see them. Hence, it’s best to shield your children by arming them with education and knowledge.

Talk to them in detail about the reasons to become a surrogate, the goodness in it, and the entire process of surrogate pregnancy. Arm your children with the knowledge they can use to respond to people’s comments and questions.

Final Thoughts

The process of surrogate pregnancy is now an educative subject in many states. For this purpose, many surrogate women have started broaching the subject with their children. After all, your family needs to share the journey of surrogacy, including the children.

When you make this decision, it’s a good practice to discuss the subject, your decision, and the process your children may face. You must involve them in the process because it’s their right to be a part of something that will affect your entire family.

Educating the children with the right information will also make them open-minded and more compassionate and empathetic individuals. For further ideas on discussing this with your children or staring your surrogacy journey, reach out to us.