Surrogate: Jessica

Jessica who has completed one surrogacy journey in 2022 and is now working on her second journey

Why do you enjoy being a surrogate? 
The biggest benefit of being a surrogate is feeling like a badass. Seeing the joy in the parents eyes is so rewarding and I felt so empowered that I did that! The second is the compensation that greatly benefited my family. 

What advice would you give to women considering surrogacy? 
Do research and also know that it takes time to get ready. It’s not a fast process when you get started but once you are through all the beginning stages, it goes by super fast. ​

What was the turning point for your decision to become a surrogate? 
I wanted to donate my eggs because of my mother’s experience with infertility. I was turned down for egg donation but then heard of surrogacy. My friend was a surrogate through Supportive Conceptions Surrogacy and learned from her. I like the idea of not having a biological child out there in the world but still being able to help someone.

What are some myths that you come across about surrogacy? 
The first that comes to mind is that we will get attached to the baby. I have never had that experience nor have I heard from any other surrogate that it was the case. We know from the beginning it’s not ours.  
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People think you only do it for money. There are many easier ways to make money and there are so few of us that can be surrogates. Is the money great, yes! But this “job” doesn’t go away. You are taking it with you everywhere you go for the whole pregnancy. I also think that women who choose this shouldn’t be ashamed of enjoying the compensation. We don’t judge other people who go to school to be doctors because they want to have a high pay. The money is awesome and no one should be judged about getting compensated. 

How has the extra income impacted you and your family? 
It helped us buy a new bed that we wanted for a few years. We went on a vacation that we had been wanting to go on. It gave us the ability to pay off debt. My husband had been laid off right before COVID hit so we ended up living off credit cards for a few months while he looked for another job and with the compensation from surrogacy, we were able to pay all that off. 

Why would you recommend Supportive Conceptions Surrogacy [SCS]? 
Kimberley is very upfront and super non-judgmental about anything. She doesn’t sugar coat it. She told me it was hard but totally worth it. She explained that you get past those hard points and it’s awesome. She helps you through each hurdle. Even after the surrogacy, she responds to me whenever I have a question. And the real benefit is that it’s just her. You aren’t dealing with a bunch of different people. It’s just Kim and that is so amazing.