Surrogate Spotlight: Jayna’s Journey Begins

Every surrogacy journey begins with a single moment, a thought, a desire, a curiosity about whether one person might play a life-changing role in someone else’s story. For Jayna Clouse, that moment first surfaced years ago while she was still living in Indiana. Over time, that spark didn’t fade the way some ideas do. Instead, it grew steadier and stronger as life unfolded around her: military moves, new jobs, raising two young daughters, and eventually planting roots in Kansas.

Now, years after that first moment of interest, Jayna is living a beautifully unfolding first-time surrogate story. She is officially matched with a family who has been hoping for their chance at parenthood, has completed her medical evaluation, and is now entering the surrogate legal agreement phase, one of the last major steps before preparing for embryo transfer.

Her heartfelt gestational surrogate experience so far is full of purpose, reflection, and the meaningful steps that bring intended parents closer to building their family.

Meet Jayna: A Glimpse Into Her Life and Her Heart

Jayna grew up in Indiana, where family, community, and close connections shaped her early years. But everything shifted when her husband joined the military, bringing a new season of change and a move to Fort Riley, Kansas. Instead of resisting the unknown, she embraced it and built a life that feels warm, steady, and full of love.

As a paraprofessional supporting kindergarten students, Jayna spends her days helping little ones learn and grow. Her work requires patience, compassion, and the ability to stay calm in the small, everyday challenges. These qualities naturally translate into the emotional readiness needed for surrogacy.

Outside of work, her world revolves around her husband and their two daughters, Emorie (7) and Mallorie (5). The 4 of them love exploring, creating memories, and simply enjoying time together. “If I’m not at work, I’m spending time with my family,” she said. “We love to go on adventures.”

Motherhood is a huge part of Jayna’s identity, and it plays a central role in her desire to help another family grow. “I really wanted to give someone the chance to feel what being a mother is all about,” she shared. “It’s the best feeling you could ever have.”

The Inspiration Behind Surrogacy: How Jayna’s Idea Took Root

Jayna first started researching surrogacy years ago in Indiana. But life was moving quickly: her husband joined the military, they relocated to a different state, and she needed time to settle into their new surroundings before taking on something as meaningful and committed as surrogacy.

Still, the idea stayed with her. “Once we settled, I started doing my research again,” she said. Her husband’s support helped her feel confident as she reopened the possibility. “He said, ‘You definitely should do it. You like being pregnant, and you’d be great at this.’”

From her initial research to officially reaching out to Pathways to Parenthood, nearly 3 years passed. During that time, she kept imagining what it would feel like to help another family experience parenthood. Her early reflections mirrored what many women consider when learning how to prepare for your first surrogacy journey, whether you’re emotionally ready, how your family will react, how intended parents fit into the process, and whether the timing is right.

Like many first-time surrogates, Jayna had concerns about whether building a relationship with intended parents would feel natural. But once she entered the process, those concerns quickly faded. Her family and friends were openly supportive and fascinated by the experience. “They were very interested in how it all works,” she said.

Beginning the Process: The First Steps in Jayna’s Surrogacy Journey

Every surrogate begins her journey with a series of evaluations and screenings designed to protect both the surrogate and the intended parents. Jayna started with the surrogate application process and was surprised by how straightforward it felt. The Pathways team guided her step-by-step, offering clarity and support through the early phases.

Before long, she matched with intended parents, a deeply emotional milestone that transforms a possibility into a partnership. Being matched made the experience feel more concrete and gave Jayna a sense of direction and purpose.

After matching, she completed her medical evaluation at the fertility clinic. She didn’t know exactly what to expect but found the process surprisingly calm and meaningful. “It was a really nice experience finally getting to see and be part of the evaluation process,” she said.

One specific moment struck her in a way she didn’t anticipate. “At my first appointment at Blue Sky Fertility the doctor asked if I wanted to see inside my uterus,” she recalled. “That was the most amazing experience. Thinking to myself, ‘Wow, I’ve given birth twice, and now I’m preparing to help create a family for someone else.’ It’s surreal at times.”

Now that she has completed her medical clearance, Jayna is in the surrogate legal agreement phase, where all details between her and the intended parents are clarified and finalized. This stage ensures every part of the surrogacy journey is protected, supported, and fully understood by everyone involved.

For Jayna, reaching this stage feels like both progress and affirmation. “Getting each step done is so rewarding,” she said. “You can start to cross things off the list.”

She acknowledges that the process requires time and focus but doesn’t find it overwhelming. “It’s all fairly easy as long as you’re willing to put in the footwork to get it done in a timely manner.”

What Surrogacy Means to Jayna on a Personal Level

Although she is still early in the journey, surrogacy has already reshaped Jayna’s understanding of connection, generosity, and family. Helping intended parents build their family is something she feels deeply committed to.

“For me, it’s giving someone the chance to love a child the way I love and cherish mine,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade that for the world. And if I can help someone else get that, then I will.”

Moments of realization continue to surface as she moves through each stage. These “pinch me” moments like the ultrasound, or seeing her progress in the surrogate portal, or talking with her intended parents make the experience feel both surreal and profoundly grounded.

This early part of her gestational surrogate story is about more than checklists and appointments. It’s about witnessing how her desire to help someone else can transform into real steps toward creating a family.

Advice for Future Surrogates Considering the Journey

Jayna knows what it feels like to be curious about surrogacy but unsure whether to commit. Her advice to anyone considering their own first time surrogate story is genuine and simple:

“I would ask her if she enjoys being pregnant, or if she would want someone to be a surrogate for her if she needed one.”

She also believes in taking the time to learn about the process and letting yourself explore the emotional side of the journey. Pathways to Parenthood provides excellent resources for women wanting to understand how to prepare for your first surrogacy journey, including their Surrogacy FAQ and the detailed surrogate process pages.

Surrogacy may not be the right fit for everyone, but for those who feel called to it, Jayna says it can be one of the most meaningful experiences of your life.

Looking Ahead: A Journey Still Unfolding

Jayna’s journey is still just beginning. She has many steps ahead: legal finalization, medications, embryo transfer, and pregnancy itself. Each stage will carry its own emotions, its own milestones, and its own reflections.

But even now, it’s clear that Jayna’s story is becoming something beautiful, something purposeful, generous, and deeply human.

Her first time surrogate story is a reminder that surrogacy isn’t just a medical process. It’s a relationship. It’s an act of compassion. It’s a gift that changes families forever.

And although she may not think of herself as doing something extraordinary, Jayna is already making an amazing impact that will last a lifetime.