By: Kelly Rummelhart
I made a list a while ago of some of my favorite things regarding surrogacy. I decided to revise my list and add a few more things, since there’s a lot to love about being a surrogate.
* Filling out my profile, especially the part where I get to introduce potential IPs to my children and let them know why I love being a surrogate.
* Reading the profile of the Intended Parents . . . how they met, describing each other. (For George and Sanj I loved reading about their wedding!)
* Having a great match meeting- you leave just knowing this is the couple you’re going to help turn into a family.
* The excitement when your meds arrive . . . something is finally happening!
* Telling the IPs that you’re pregnant . . . and that your “high number” may mean twins! (I’m 2 for 2 on this one!)
* Witnessing the IPs hear the heart beat or see their embryos/fetuses on the ultrasound for the first time.
* Being able to blog about my experiences- and now twice as much!
* Seeing how excited your Intended Parents are . . . and how nervous they get as you approach the due date.
* Finding out what the genders are . . . hearing the ultrasound tech now call them the IP’s son(s) or daughter(s).
* Meeting other surrogates who “totally get it” (thank you Facebook and other blogs!).
* Seeing pictures of my surrogate friends’ positive pregnancy tests.
* Feeling that you are making a difference in several people’s lives, including your own.
* Seeing people’s reactions when I tell them I’m a surrogate- and the conversation that follows.
* Having the IPs meet and spend time with my kids -that way they get to know me better and also my kids can see, firsthand, that two men can love each other and have a family if they wish.
* Being able to educate people on surrogacy (answering questions, blogging, etc.)
* Babies!!!!
* The look on the parents’ faces in the delivery room as their child/children make their entrance.
* The tears shed by the grandma and other family members moments and days past the birth . . . including the hugs and thank yous for helping to make their sons the parents they deserve to be.
* Having my kids meet the babies in the hospital . . . a great lesson on giving and what makes a family. Plus, Ruby loves holding babies!
* Being able to go home and not raise additional kids – i.e. wake up for feedings, changing diapers, etc.
* Getting email and phone call updates on how things are going, including pictures and visiting my surro-families . . . . whether it be for days, weeks, months, or years.
* Knowing that even after the birth, we will always be a part of each other’s lives, even if just by a memory of the wonderful and exciting year (or more) that we grew a family.
* Referring other women to surrogacy. I know it will be AMAZING for them and I’m helping (indirectly) to create even more families.
Kelly Rummelhart writes about her experiences as a two-time gestational surrogate for gay couples. She calls herself a “Uterine Activist” and will be the first to tell you that her uterus is an ally. Kelly also writes at Just The Stork.
Love this Kelly. Between you and Kerrie we have all the details and lists. Great stories for both and all the families that help out.
Kelly, this is a great list! A few of these are also MY favorite and the rest of them I am looking forward to as my journey as a gestational surrogate continues.
Wondering what it will be like in the future when your surrogate babies fully understand who you are and what you did.
Um, You forgot stretch marks and weight gain…These ARE the most beautiful things. “Dad, Mom…would you like to hold your babies?” LOVE this, love you!!