The Curious Lives of Surrogates

I had left some comments below, and after reading up on this discussion, I would like to offer any help or support to those that may need it.

It's been a year and a half since I gave birth to my twin angels for no compensation for friends. We had some good times and some really bad times, but time has begun to heal and looking back, I learned SO much. This topic is not cut and dry - there is SO much more involved that just getting pregnant and carrying babies, having them and handing them over.. Parents change, surrogates change (no wonder - we're on TONS of hormones!), high emotions develop, there is insane amounts of physical discomfort, unexpected costs arise (I was flown emergency on a jet to the city at $17,000 one way), bed rest is always a high possiblity, it can be awkward in times that are typically private (you're undressed at half your appointments!), and the list goes on.....anyhow, if anyone needs any info or support I would love to help ... celeange@gmail.com

Good luck to all of you who are pregnant or seeking and congrats to those who have successfully birthed :)

I am being a first time gestational surrogate and this journey is just phenominal. I am about to have my transfer this week. I am so exctied to be doing this and I hope all works out and I can call my intended parents and tell them they are going to be parents. Can you even imagine the joy they will feel. I have a wonderful husband and 3 beautiful kids and I couldnt be more happier with my family. I want others to feel the joy I have with my kids. There are so many women out there that cant carry there own child and need loving, caring women like us all that can help them fufill there dreams. This goes for same sex couples, they have just as much right to have the joy of a child. I just feel in my heart that I have something to give and I want to make a difference in this world. Being a surrogate isnt about being paid. Its not about how much we make and having ouw womb for rent. Its about giving out hearts, our love, our time and devotion into helping another person in this worlrd. This world needs more love and children give just that. It awesome that all the news channels and magazines want to hear about the world of surrogacy. It nice to get the right words out. I wish everyone the best!

If anyone is interested in becoming a surrogate mother I highly suggest you check out the social network at www.surrogatemother.com.

It's just getting started and there are lots of helpful people there already.

If anyone is interested in becoming a surrogate mother I highly suggest you check out the social network at www.surrogatemother.com. It's just getting started and there are lots of helpful people there already.

I am a married mother of 2 wonderful boys. I decided before I even had my own children that I wanted to make another's dream come true through surrogacy, because I know many couples who have struggled to have families of their own. My husband has been supportive since the beginning, but now understands on a different level since we met our Intended Parents in February.There are plenty of articles and television specials about surrogacy, and they all address the financial aspect. I think that is unfair, since it really is not about the money for most of us. I have a career. THIS IS MY DREAM. I joined an agency 4 months after my second son was born, and didn't realized until shortly after that there was money involved. I would still be a surrogate if there was no money involved, although since I've been witht he agency, and communicate with the other surrogates, I realize why there is compensation. There is a lot more to being a surrogate than most people are aware of. We are at the beginning of our journey, but hopefully within a year, our Intened Parent's dream will come true, and so will mine. I believe this is the path God wants me to take. I'm sure all of the surrogates I know would say the same.

If any IPs or potential surrogates have questions I would be happy to answer them. I have been a surrogate 5 times. lesbimom@hotmail.com

Wombs to rent 50 cents, no phone, some food, no pets, she wont smoke no cigarettes and then 2 hours of pushing brings, a new 7 pound human being

I am a mother of three children which the secon one is almost three. I was kidnapped and raped. My sister tried Artificial Insemination three times and still could not conceive. They have been married for over ten years so it was really taking a toll on their emotions and more. I let them adopt my baby with nothing in return. You would think that if I did something with my whole heart and soul for them they would be nice or respectful in return, no they just shun me now that they have their own Family. People the reason I am writing this is because it is different for everyone! You have to know what is inside of yourself before you can do anything. I see my baby every day because my youngest goes to the same daycare. It hurts and I have to hide it every time. I die a little each time, I want to scream I AM YOUR MOM! My sister actually tells others that she had her and it just hurts that my own flesh and blood could be so disrespectful. But again Please think about the people who carry the child and have to give it away, also think about how the family adopting also. Everyone should go to counseling before they make any decissions. Just my own thought considering I have been down the long hard and winding road by myself. mandynie@hotmail

Personally... I had two wonderful pregnancies (no morning sickness, no health problems, no major weight gain). Just two perfect pregnancies. I have two beautiful and healthy children who are now in their teens. I loved the feeling of being pregnant! The down fall was my relationship with my husband who was in the military. He left us to go on deployment with no money, no food, no concern for his family's welfare. We argued constantly and I went through my pregnancies upset most of the time.

I have always dreamt of carrying a child for someone who could not carry one themselves. For their benefit and mine... You see.. I want more than anything to experience a peaceful, healthy pregnancy. I don't want to raise more children. I have fulfilled that dream. I just want to feel the pregnancy one last time.

A couple of years ago, my friends and I discussed my surrogacy for them. She had miscarried 5 times. The last pregnancy was with twin girls who made it to six months of gestation. My friend was out camping and got bit by a mosquito carrying malaria. She nearly died and lost the twin girls. My heart went out to them. I offered to be their surrogate. We discussed it on several occassions, but unfortunately their marriage fell apart.

I don't feel surrogacy is a negative decision because it fulfills two different dreams. The IP's and mine. My children and I have discussed this as well. They are supportive of my decision to fulfill my dream of becoming a surrogate mother. They look forward to it as well. We understand completely that this child will not be part of our family. But it will be loved and cared for. It will be our gift of love to complete someone else's dream of having their own wonderful family. At the same time, it will be their gift to me ~ allowing me one last pregnancy with a peaceful and joyous memory.

If anyone has any questions or suggestions, please contact me at jaqchat@hotmail.com

Way to go, Abusing the military health care system, The military wives who do this are PIRATES and are using your tax dollars for the prenatal care for non military people. This needs to stop i dont pay taxes to fund some dependants private Buisness. Prenatal care usually runs about 10,000+ dollars that is money that we the people are funding to these priates so they can have children for same sex couples in other countries.

Very pleased to see this article I'm 29 mother of 1 I've placed two of my own children for adoption with wonderful couples in Texas I live in Oklahoma I've been seriously researching becoming a surrogate. It would be nice to start a relationship on my own rather than be matched by someone who doesn't even know me ashley.epley@sbcglobal.net

I just had my blastocyst transfer last week . . . keeping fingers crossed all goes well. The Agency my husband and I choose was Growing Generations and we've had a great experience so far
http://justthestork.blogspot.com/

From the overall tone of this article, you would think that gestational surrogacy is quite a dangerous thing. Not only does it turn "life" into a marketable commodity, but it has the potential to do devastating emotional damage. And I have to say, this is completely opposite of my experience. Two years ago I delivered twin girls for one of my closest childhood friends. She had struggled with infertility for years and two surrogacy attempts with her sister had failed. I just couldn't imagine her not being a mom. It didn't seem fair that I got the family i wanted and she wouldn't have the same. So I decided to do something about it. And the experience was even more amazing than I thought it would be--positive from beginning to end. We trusted and respected each other. We made sure my family was cared for and protected. And I went into it knowing that I was emotionally prepared for what could and would happen. By the way, I received NO financial compensation. When you do gestational surrogacy for the right reasons--and the right way, it's an amazing gift. I just wish that the authors of this article had done a little less sensationalizing and a little more analysis on the very complicated, yet ultimately miraculous possibilities of gestational surrogacy. So there! I just had to say SOMETHING.

I think people can not judge until they are in that situation themselves. I have two children and had no trouble getting or staying pregnant. It is easy for people like me to say being a surrogate is wrong but if someone told them they were unable to have children they would probably have a whole new view. I feel for the parents who can't have children and applaud the women helping them fulfill their dream.

If anyone has any suggestions or other options for me to give to my friend please contact me at rapacafacam@msn.com

my best friend and her husband have been trying for 11 years to have a child but because of the huge finacial cost can't even consider surrogacy, and adoption is just as expensive and they want a baby. She has been pregnant twice and miscarried. If i could be a surrogate for her I would. Her only option would be for a family member to give her a baby. How awful is that. There is no one that I know that would make better parents then them.

i would love to be a surrogate for someone. i have 2 children of my own and there is nothing like the love for a child. i don't want anymore kids of my own but would love to bring that joy and love to someone else. if anyone can give me information on how to get started i'd appreciate it. email me at kathyannie1@hotmail.com.