Why Women Consider Becoming Surrogates
It’s common to hear, when discussing surrogacy, the question “why?”. Why would anyone do that? Why would they put their body through a pregnancy that isn’t theirs? Why carry a baby for a stranger? Why would anyone put their life on hold for someone else to have a family? Plus, many other questions that could be asked. A person may end up educating a friend or family member for hours if they were so inclined.
Let’s just focus on why a woman would consider being a surrogate for someone else. I have personal experience of being a surrogate twice and both times having twins for two different couples. For me the first-time involved friends of our family. Seeing someone wanting to add to their family but not being physically able to made me feel empathy toward my friend and, although unsure at the time of my ability to become a gestational carrier, I volunteered.
My second time as a gestational carrier I was asked by a gay couple that I’d come to know through my business. We had been talking about their dream for over a year and I could see that their 16-year relationship had been coming to this conclusion, they needed someone experienced to help them achieve their goals of having a family. Knowing that surrogacy is a very complex situation I felt that I had what it took to be that woman who could help them. So, empathy and a willingness to help others are 2 of the many reason’s women become surrogates.
Other reasons can also include the following: compensation, fulfillment, the satisfaction of being able to do what so many others can’t-carry a baby for someone else, a “calling” to help others in this very personal way, and setting an example to family and friends of what selfless giving really means.
Not every woman who wants to become a surrogate can due to the strict qualifications required but the ones who are qualified often share positive stories of their successes and how it changed their lives for the better. Often, you’ll hear of a woman being a surrogate two or three times because the experience is so fulfilling and rewarding.
I urge whoever is reading this to talk to an experienced surrogate and ask all the question you have. Just by researching the topic means that you have a certain calling that you want to explore. You just might be one of those women who has the ability to add a branch to someone’s family tree!