Surrogate Stories

Jayne’s story

“Our first child, Abi was born via straight surrogacy after 10 long years of failed fertility treatment thanks to our special friend Susan.  The years of infertility were firmly in the past and we were enjoying life to the full. We hoped to have another child via surrogacy but despite 13 attempts of treatment with 2 different surrogate mothers it was not to be. However, a miracle happened and I became pregnant myself – not once but 3 times!

I joined Surrogacy UK in 2002 as a founder member to give support to other couples considering surrogacy. At the back of my mind I wondered if I could be a surrogate myself. One day, our daughter, Abi, who was born via surrogacy also suggested it, and this was just the push I needed to get started. Having my family at long last I just wanted to “pay back the gift”.

A few months later a couple, Lynne and Richard, who already had a child via surrogacy joined Surrogacy UK. I prefer to help couples who already have children as it is very fulfilling to help the child have a brother or sister as well as helping the intended parents have a much wanted second child.

It took 5 attempts of treatment to conceive Isaac, Lynne and Richard’s boy. The pregnancy was uneventful. Everything went to plan and we had a wonderful surrogacy arrangement. Lynne and Richard came to all the scans and Lynne attended all the midwife appointments with me. We also met up socially at least once a month during the pregnancy, at SUK socials or in each other’s homes. This is so important as it allows the intended parents to bond with their baby and the surrogate to bond with the intended parents.

Lynne was crying with happiness as baby Isaac came into the world. The midwife then asked her to cut the cord and she was handed her baby boy. It felt so good to see her joy. Isaac was born on Tuesday, 9th November, at 11.17 am, weighing 8lb 12 oz. Soon afterwards Richard was invited into the labour room to meet his baby son. We had pictures taken of us all and then I was handed Isaac so I could have a picture taken with him.

After the birth I received cards and flowers from friends and family and everyone said “what a wonderful thing I had done”. I never thought I would experience pregnancy, and not only have I been able to experience it for myself, I’ve been able to experience it for someone else too.

I’ve since helped another couple have a much wanted baby. Hector was born on the 6th January 2006.

Sadly I then went on to have 2 miscarriages while helping a 3rd couple. At this point I decided to retire from surrogacy. I spent the next 2 years supporting others going through surrogacy and also had another baby of my own, Scarlet.

After Scarlet’s birth, surrogacy was in the back of my mind again but I tried to resist and concentrate on my own family. However, I found I could not stand back and watch people struggle while there was a chance I could help them.

In 2009 I offered to help a 4th couple via a host surrogacy arrangement but sadly it did not lead to pregnancy. At the beginning of 2010 I offered to help another couple have a child via host surrogacy. So watch this space!”(Jayne)