5 Things to Help You Navigate Your Surrogacy Pregnancy
You may think that a surrogacy pregnancy is just like the pregnancies you’ve carried while building your own family and, physically, it can be very similar. It’s the other, outside, factors that are different and that may need adjustments made moving forward with your surrogacy pregnancy. Getting pregnant via IVF is one of the huge differences, of course, but it’s what happens during the pregnancy that you may not have taken into consideration.
Below are 5 things that you might want to keep in mind as you journey toward the birth of your surro-babe.
1. Each unique surrogacy match is new to everyone, surrogates and intended parents. Realizing that everyone is human and undergoing the same very stressful and anxious journey (together) it’s good to often remind yourself that keeping an open mind and being flexible is important.
2. Open and honest communication is a must especially with surrogacy. Remember to be forthright whenever you have a problem or misunderstanding. It’s important that everyone stay on the same page and if you keep concerns to yourself, they may never be resolved.
3. Remember that you have a team of professionals to support you! Use them to answer questions, run interference, and to help you solve problems. That’s what your caseworker, medical coordinator or attorney is for.
4. Remember that your Intended Parents choose you because they believed that you would be awesome as their surrogate. They trust you. They respect you. They are grateful for all you are doing for them. They may be anxious or micromanaging at times but know that they are coming from a place where they’ve lost the power to have their own pregnancy and you are carrying the most precious gift of all for them.
5. Don’t forget to take care of YOU! With all of these extra appointments, medications, and check ins with your Intended Parents and your agency (not to mention caring for your own family everyday!) you need to remember to take time for yourself. That might be in the form of treating yourself to a pregnancy massage, getting a mani/pedi, ordering takeout from your favorite restaurant or just curling up with a good book. Whatever you decide will destress you for a few hours just do it! You’re worth it!
Surrogacy is a life changing experience for all involved and we want to make sure that it’s as stress free as humanly possible. You are doing something that no one else was able to do for your Intended Parents, give them the family they’ve always wanted. You are appreciated and special because you chose to make certain sacrifices and we thank you for that!