About my first journey as a Gestational Surrogate.

My name is Jessica, I am a 31-year-old widowed mother of two children living in Canada. My surrogacy journey begins in 2018 in January when I came across an ad for Surrogacy. I felt that was how I was going to pay it forward with the amazing gifts my family received the Christmas prior.

My (late) Husbands health had started to decline over the last 4-5 years we were together. He had chronic health conditions we thought were managed but we found out after I became pregnant with our youngest, they were not. We struggled financially A lot, especially with a medical ointment he was prescribed in the last few years of his life that was not able to be covered by our medical coverage. My youngest's Preschool teachers were amazing and very understanding. They were the main reason we received wonderful gifts. They (with our permission) put our names into a local Radio/car autobody contest at Christmas. We received a car, presents for the kids, things, food we needed for our home and car. We were so blessed and so Thankful.

I was so excited to start this new but scary journey. I didn't know much about Surrogacy or the whole process, but they had many great ladies that helped me along the way. I first had someone reach out to me by email and book the call where I would create my Surrogate profile. I was so surprised at how many questions were asked and how detailed they were. but I fully understand these questions were important to get an understanding of who I was, what I knew or didn't know what I want and my medical history.

A few days go by (but honestly the wait felt much longer). I see the email notification that I am finally moving to the next step. There were so many forms to fill out, including a Criminal Records Check, signing permission forms to get the medical history of my births and pregnancies. Forms about consent and so much more... It's a lot of information at once. After all of that was sent, there was more waiting. But now waiting to start what is my favourite part.

Next came the Intended Parents (IPs) profiles. They sent a couple at a time. It was all so exciting. All of them seemed amazing. I combed through many, went over them a couple of times. Until one stood out from the rest. A heterosexual couple in Ontario. They had a dog and longed for children for so long. Something about them stood out from the rest. I felt that connection from the start, without even talking to them. I asked to see if they would like to start getting to know each other and they did too! We chatted like we have been long time friends, with that I knew I wanted to be their Surrogate.

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Now we moved on to medical screening. I choose to do all the tests locally in my city, instead of going to the clinic. (Which probably made the whole process take even longer.) Many viles of blood, urine tests ( for both my *late* husband and me), ultrasounds and finding out my *late* husbands tests had issues, a stressful psych evaluation... But in the end, I was finally medically cleared. Which was a relief and very exciting. Now more waiting... Which you will come to realise is a theme with Surrogacy.

After which felt like many many many months. It was time to start Legal Contracts. It was a learning curve. I found out what is normal in a surrogacy contract. What my IPs wanted in a contract. I listed things I thought I needed. After going back forth a few times, changing this thing and that thing, ironing out the details. It was time to review the final draft. All things were finally done. Signed on the dotted line.

Soon after I received the email from my clinic, it was time to start medication. Each protocol is different. but I had a fairly basic one. Remembering to take several pills a day, then giving myself a needle every day was different. But at the time I had the help of my *late* husband. At the time my kids were fairly young. They were 6yrs and 4yrs old, so they had many questions. More waiting for my cycle to start so I could get a lining check done, which was done by ultrasound.

Finally, it was time for transfer! I packed my bags, said my love to my kids and *late* husband. Off I went by plane to Toronto, ON with my mom. That was a stressful trip. We didn't get to our hotel until 3 am Toronto time because we got lost in the airport, the train wasn't running in the airport when we got there. Thankfully my amazing IPs who met us in Arrivals when we got off our plane, turned their car around on their way home to take us to our hotel. With what sleep we could get, we woke up that morning for my transfer, we walked the 2-3 blocks to the clinic. I had to wait around for three hrs with a full bladder. The waiting was the longest part. The actual procedure was quick. 3-5 mins tops. I didn't need to stay laying back or with my hips up. Because honestly, I thought I would have to.

I was pregnant until proven otherwise. I walked to Chipotle (which I had never been to) for my post-transfer treat meal. I took it as take-out and back to our hotel, where I relaxed and put my feet up. That night I packed for our flight back home the next day. I tried my best to take things easy, and reduce stress. The next few days were a blur. The 2WW went by fast. It was time for beta tests, but I of course couldn't stop the urge to pee on all the sticks. I took a few pregnancy tests so I already knew the answer to whether it was a failed or successful transfer.

Find out in my next Surrogacy log, the results.