Callie Megel
WHAT MONTH AND YEAR WAS/WERE YOUR SURROGATE BABY BORN?
August 2021
WHAT ORIGINALLY INSPIRED YOU TO LOOK INTO SURROGACY?
I wanted to give a gift so big that no one could repay me. I also wanted to teach my children to be the good in the world.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE OR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT DURING THIS WHOLE PROCESS?
I think the whole thing! I mean yes the last few months were super hard with the big belly, but I really enjoyed the relationship that I have created with the family.
WHAT WAS THE MOST UNEXPECTED PART OF THIS PROCESS?
How easy everything was. I looked back now and the times I thought I was miserable was something so little compared to the big picture and someone else’s lifetime of happiness.
HOW WAS THE MATCHING PROCESS?
Matching was very simple. I was lucky and matched before Covid, so we got to meet in person. My case manager was there, but we meshed so well that it was a easy choice to pick them.
HOW WAS THE PREGNANCY AND HOW INVOLVED WERE THE INTENDED PARENTS DURING THE PREGNANCY?
Sadly with Covid they were not able to attend every appointment with me, but they did get to come for the 20 week ultrasound and some appointments at the end. I would send updates and FaceTime them as much as I could.
HOW DID YOU TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THE PROCESS, LIKE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY? EVEN STRANGERS?
Family and friends were very easy to talk to. I just had to be honest with them and explain everything to them. I had two dads, so there were lots of questions on how it all worked. Strangers I had to really think about how to approach it. If they approached me with rude comments, we just turned away. Sometimes it was fun to joke with people and tell them I have three baby daddies.
HOW WAS YOUR DELIVERY AND POST-PREGNANCY?
My delivery was very different from all my other ones. I made the choice to be induced because baby was not coming, so the dads got to be there at every step of the delivery. They got to do skin-to-skin and even cut the umbilical cord. Seeing their tears of joy just made every single hard day worth it.
WHAT WERE YOUR FEELINGS WHEN YOU SAW THE IP(S) HOLD THEIR BABY/BABIES FOR THE FIRST TIME?
Pure joy! I had some tears of joy. There is no other smile that is like the one you see when you meet your child.
WHAT DID YOUR KID(S) AND/OR PARTNER SAY WHEN MEETING THE BABY?
My husband is just like me and enjoys the pure true happiness of the family meeting their baby. My kids were just so wrapped around his finger that they wanted to hold him all the time.
WHAT WAS ONE THING YOU WISHED YOU WOULD HAVE HAD IN YOUR HOSPITAL BAG THAT YOU FORGOT?
Hairbrush!
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH AN AGENCY?
EVERYTHING! From day one I had a person there to answer my questions and direct the way if I had any problems. They were my advocate.
WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM WOULD YOU SHARE WITH OTHER/NEWER GESTATIONAL CARRIERS?
For a sibling! I do believe that every kid should have one. It would be my last and final journey.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE?
Just breathe when times get tough! You are carrying a human life! You are giving the biggest gift of all so own it and be proud of yourself!