This week we’re throwing all the way back to 2001 with this excerpt from our mailed newsletter! How fun would it have been to receive a paper newsletter in your mailbox? Nowadays, we email them. Are you signed up? If not, click the link below to join!
#tbt #buildingfamiliesinc
We are over the moon to announce that Melissa’s two week wait is over and the pregnancy has been confirmed! Nataly is also confirmed pregnant and we couldn’t be happier for her and her couple! Congratulations all around!
Who is a surrogate? What kind of woman signs up to grow a child for a stranger? We are asked this time and time again from intended parents, curious friends, and anyone else we encounter. The short answer is that surrogate mothers are not one size fits all.
One surrogate mother describes herself as a busy mom of three who enjoys keeping a full calendar with her children’s school and extracurricular activities. We also have full time students, career women, small business owners, work at home moms, single moms, and every mom in between. In addition, a majority of the Building Families team have delivered surrogate babies.
While defining the types of women is complex, the commonalities are simple. As surrogates, we are all mothers that have the desire to share the experience of parenthood. We want to offer our intended parents the participation in the growth, delivery, and development of their child(ren) that physiology hasn’t granted them. It is that common goal that defines us as surrogate mothers.
Who are our surrogates? It is a seemingly simple question with one important answer.Our surrogates are fully vetted women who want to be a part of something bigger than themselves and join our intended parents on their journey to sleepless nights…errr…parenthood.
Sometimes the math does not add up. When you transfer one embryo that should equal one baby. But, Melissa, decided that simple math would not do, so identical twins were the result!! Considering these boys already have an older brother and sister who are fraternal twins, this was quite the surprise for the awaiting parents. Should they come back to the program, I think they will be hard to match as it is clear that twins are all they know how to make!! LOL!!
Melissa was such a trooper making it to exactly 36 weeks gestation and delivering two healthy babies weighing in at exactly the same weight, 5lb 13oz each!! Dr. Garg, Melissa’s OB, constantly complimented her on how well she was managing the multiple pregnancy. Carol agreed wholeheartedly as she was lucky enough to share in the journey with her. Except for the delivery! No one could make it in time since Melissa delivered so quickly after arriving to the hospital!
May will be a busy month for the new parents as they have 4 birthdays to celebrate, two on May 5th and now thanks to Melissa, two on May 21st!!!
As Stephanie and her surrogate enter the two-week wait, listen to her interview on Beat Infertility detailing her journey to surrogacy.
Listen to the podcast here: https://beatinfertility.co/unexplained-recurrent-loss-stephanie-journey/
#beatinfertility #intendedparents #infertilityawareness #buildingfamiliesinc
For the second time, Priscilla has changed a Couple’s lives!! Fortunately, this time she delivered inside the hospital, not in a car outside of the ER! With her couple by her side, Priscilla delivered their baby boy in just a few hours. She told us, “The baby seemed to deliver himself! I just relaxed and let my body, and the baby, do the work.” Now that is amazing! The little guy weighed in at a whopping 8lb 11oz. The entire room lit up as soon as he was born! Priscilla literally saw his parents change right before her eyes when they held their precious gift for the first time.
Our story starts off similar to a typical love story. We met, fell in love, had a beautiful wedding, bought a house, and started planning our family. It wasn’t too long before we realized “trying” for a family wasn’t going according to plan.
We soon found ourselves in a Fertility Clinic. We were so young at the time so naturally, our concerns were becoming more stressful. We spent three years as the youngest patients at the clinic. Finally, after many years, we were pregnant with our first baby! The feeling was indescribable. Amazing enough, my pregnancy was “textbook” so naturally, we tried again! We were blessed with the two amazing kids we were meant to have. Finally, a family of four!
When my daughter was about a year old I told my husband I was interested in becoming a surrogate. I called our Clinic, and spoke directly with my Fertility Dr. to ask who she recommended. Immediately, she said: “Carol Weathers with Building Families”. I made a phone call to Carol and my Surrogacy Journey began! Fast forward and I can proudly say I am a successful 3-time surrogate. All three experiences were different. Each of them was special in their own way. I always say, “ the birth of my surrogate babies, along with my own kids, is the greatest thing I have ever done.” Every year on their birthdays my heart swells with love and pride as I know I’ve given these families the greatest gift in the world.
I loved my Surrogacy’s so much I knew I wanted to stay connected to BFI in some way if possible. Carol was gracious enough to offer me a position as Case Manager in her company. I have loved every moment of being a part of her company. She provides a family feel throughout the company and there is truly nobody out there who does it better. The personal relationships she strives for are unmatched in the industry. I’m proud of my time as Building Families Team member and surrogate. I am grateful for the journey that has brought me here and can’t wait to see all of the beautiful families we are able to help create in the future.
National Infertility Week is April 22-27. ‘Together, we can change how others view infertility. It begins with being part of a national movement, National Infertility Awareness Week®. This week unites millions of Americans who want to remove the stigmas and barriers that stand in the way of building families. – InfertilityAwareness.org
#infertilityuncovered #buildingfamiliesinc #NIAW
You’ve stumbled upon surrogacy and you’re intrigued. But how do you know if being a surrogate mother is right for you? We’ve come up with a short checklist of qualifications to become a surrogate mother.
Is your family complete? To be a surrogate, you must be finished creating your own family. That is not to say that you can never change your mind, as many surrogates go on to have more children for their own families. But, you should be confident that if you were to unexpectedly lose your fertility after a surrogate journey your family would not suffer.
Have your own pregnancies been healthy and uncomplicated? You will need to pass a medical clearance with the reproductive endocrinologists who will facilitate your pregnancy. The first requirement is that you have delivered one or more of your own children. Secondly, all pregnancies must be uncomplicated and healthy. You must also be a non-smoker, between the ages of 21 and 40 years old with an appropriate BMI.
You’re healthy and ready to go, now what? Surrogacy is a personal journey that you should feel strongly about. Does the thought of helping build a family fill you with pride? Do you want to share the joys of parenthood with someone who otherwise wouldn’t be able to experience it? If you’re shouting ‘YES,’ you are the type of woman we’d love to meet! But also consider this, do you have the support of your spouse, family, and friends? Each surrogate mothers’ journey is unique as with all new experiences and it is important to have a strong support system in place. Not only to cheer you on but to help you in the event of mandatory bed rest or to watch your child(ren) during delivery.
Considering to be a surrogate, even if it ends up not being right for your family or medically feasible is a true testament to your character. Every mother who wants to share that joy with another family is a special person to be valued. If you think that this journey is something you’d like to explore, please take a moment to submit an inquiry below. A member of our friendly team will be in contact and available to answer any further questions or concerns you may have.
https://www.buildingfamiliesinc.com/en/i-want-to-be-a-surrogate-mother/
Surrogate Mom, Laura, had the biggest smile while sharing her birth story with us. The highlight – seeing baby placed in his parent’s arms. Within seconds she forgot about her 36hr labor and just focused on the family she helped create!
