Parents Jenn

WHAT MONTH AND YEAR WAS your BABY BORN?

July 2025

Why did you choose to use a surrogate?

I had a hysterectomy due to genetic health issues, and was unable to carry a pregnancy. We had embryos created from IVF.

How was meeting your surrogate?

Meeting our surrogate felt strange at first, but we quickly became more like friends/family. We met for the first time at a local food hall with a playground - and we brought our families (her two sons, my son, and our husbands). We got to know each other over a meal, and had fun watching our children play together. Throughout the process, I was able to make most of our surrogate's IVF and OBGYN appointments, and we also got our families together a few other times.

What was the best part of the process?

Obviously, holding a very much wanted baby :). But, it was beautiful to build such an intimate relationship with another family.

Which was your favorite moment during the process?

Our surrogate invited us to her home - we had pizza and walked around their property, and our children ran around playing with all the farm animals.

Why did you choose to work with an Agency, particularly Bright Futures Families?

We saw great reviews online, we liked the intimate / smaller agency feel. We felt heard and supported during the matching process. We liked that some of the staff were former surrogates (which gave us confidence that the agency treated their surrogates well).

What was it like when you got to see and hold your baby for the first time?

Surreal, beautiful, emotional.

What advice would you give to other Intended Parents?

The journey is filled with so many emotional ups and downs - most of which is not in your control. Make sure you have a good support system and build trust with your surrogate.