I’ve always had a longing to help people in need.

From a young age, I have held doors open for others, donated my old clothes and toys to those in need, and fundraised money for animal shelters. There’s always been this place in my heart to show kindness and be a light for others and to do whatever it takes to put a smile on someone’s face.

This hasn’t changed since I’ve gotten older. I’m now a happily married 28-year-old and have volunteered in my community for countless events. I continue to hold the door open for others when I exit the convenience store. Even though these courtesies brought tremendous meaning to my life, I knew I needed to do something even greater.

That’s where my surrogacy journey began.

Where It All Began

I met my now-husband in college. After graduating, we moved into our own apartment and began living life together. After two short years, we became pregnant! My daughter and husband are my whole world.

Shortly after our daughter turned 3, we moved across the state for job opportunities. I couldn’t find enough time to get as involved in my community as I wanted to. There was still something missing, though. I was perfectly healthy, had great friends and a wonderful family, but I felt as though there was more I could be doing for someone else.

One day, I found myself scrolling through social media before bed. I read a story about an LGBTQ+ couple that had just brought their new baby home thanks to a surrogate, who carried the baby for the couple. I told my husband about the story, and he had tears in his eyes just like I did.

My heart exploded. I knew that surrogacy was what I was supposed to do with my life at that moment. After reading that story, I especially wanted to help an LGBTQ+ couple become parents because I have family members in the community. This would be a massive change for us, but my husband was fully supportive.

Finding the Couple

I needed to find the right help through a surrogacy agency. I searched online for one that could help me feel comfortable with what I wanted. I didn’t want to feel like someone in an assembly line, which usually doesn’t happen but has been portrayed in television shows and movies. I wanted a personal connection with my agency and one that supported LGBTQ+ couples, which I fortunately found.

Before meeting with couples, I had to undergo a series of medical evaluations and screenings to ensure my body was viable to support human life. I also had to have a psychological assessment to ensure I had a stable mind and could handle the emotional and physical toll on my body.

After filling out the paperwork, the coordinator came to me with a potential match. I was able to talk with the couple and felt an almost immediate connection. These two were meant to be parents, and I was excited to begin my relationship with them.

The Pregnancy and Delivery

Even though surrogacy and pregnancy can be challenging, I still knew this was what I was meant to do in my life. I already had a pregnancy with little to no complications. I thoroughly enjoyed my pregnancy and couldn’t wait to help a loving couple start their journey of parenthood.

We shared similar surrogacy plans. It would be gestational surrogacy, and we agreed to transfer embryos from both of the fathers. There are many more medical and legal aspects that go into an embryo transfer, but once my cycle lined up, the embryos were implanted. Not long after, I learned I was pregnant with one of them!

The fathers were ecstatic, to say the least. The bond between my family and these two expecting dads continued to grow. They wanted to be involved every step of the way, and I became more sure that this was the path I was meant to take at this time in my life. My daughter was curious about mommy’s growing belly, but she went along with it. My husband was just as excited that we could provide a newborn to a family, too.

To say there wasn’t a roller coaster of emotions would be untruthful. There were times I questioned why I was doing what I was doing. However, those questions dissipated when the doctors handed a healthy baby boy to these two fathers. They were in love, and my heart felt so full.

To Current and Future Surrogates

My surrogacy journey was the most worthwhile experience I have ever had. It doesn’t always go as planned, though. We had our fair share of ups and downs, but in the end, I was able to help a couple who otherwise could not conceive on their own. Now, they’re raising a healthy and beautiful child, and they’re happy and loving parents.

Kara Reynolds

Kara Reynolds is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Momish Magazine. Kara’s mission is to normalize blended families. She enjoys pancakes, pilates, and pinot noir – but not at the same time.

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