Becoming A Surrogate: Sharing Your Whole Story
If you have been considering becoming a surrogate, you might be wondering,
“What do I need to share with others during the surrogacy process?” You likely
assume, and it is correct, that your reproductive story will be told and shared with
many throughout the surrogacy process.
If you decide to work with a surrogacy agency, then the agency screening process
will include your reproductive story. Then you will share your reproductive story
with intended parents. And the fertility clinic you will work with. And perhaps
even your surrogacy attorney that will represent you throughout the process. But
there is so much more to your story! And the stories of the amazing and
generous women that become surrogates.
It can certainly be scary and intimidating to think about having your life story
shared with others. Others who you currently do not know! However, a
surrogacy agency will be understanding that you, as a potential surrogate, are a
human being with a rich life history that includes ups and downs, triumphs and
struggles, good times and not so good times. And if any surrogacy agency that
you are considering working with does not show understanding or compassion for
your whole life story, run for the hills!
It is important to share your whole story with the surrogacy agency that you
decide to work with. They will be able to tell you if anything in your history will
get in the way of you moving forward in the surrogacy process and/or impact the
surrogacy journey in any way at any point in the future. This is important for a
couple of reasons. First, if there is something in your history that would prevent
you from being medically approved during the surrogacy medical evaluation, then
it is better to know that sooner rather than later. As disappointing as that may be
at the time, it is not nearly as disappointing as it would be after matching with
intended parents who you really like, and that really like you, and not be able to
move forward.
Also, there may be something in your past that may be a less than ideal history,
but if it is discussed with your surrogacy agency, they can help figure out how to
best manage the information so that it does not become a problem later. Being a
surrogate is a very special life experience. You will have a close and intimate
relationship with your intended parents, and with your surrogacy agency. Your
surrogacy agency wants the best outcome for all parties, including you. And they
will want to know your whole story. Nobody expects perfection, but everyone
expects and deserves honesty, including you! Trust in the process, and tell your
whole story knowing that you will be accepted, appreciated and respected fully
for who you are, and what you are willing to do for someone else.
We are here to hear your story! If you have dreamed of helping a
family become parents by becoming a surrogate, contact Pathways To
Parenthood today and get started. If having a baby through surrogacy
and/or egg donation is an option you are considering to make your
dreams of becoming a parent come true, we want to hear your story!
Contact Pathways To Parenthood today! We have helped surrogates
and intended parents come together in Kansas, Missouri, Colorado,
Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois, and Arkansas. If you live in the Midwest, we
are the surrogacy agency for you! You can contact us at 913-469-5500
or at www.pathwaystoparenthood.com.
Pathways To Parenthood: An Egg Donor & Surrogacy Agency Celebrates Eight Years!
Wow! It has been an amazing eight years! Helping others build their families
through surrogacy and egg donation has been full of joy and awe. Joy for the
happy ending for dreams coming true for our intended parents and surrogates.
Awe for the incredible people we have had a chance to work with. We have
witnessed strength and resilience, perseverance and commitment in the face of
what can seem like insurmountable hurdles. Being a part of each and every
journey has been a privilege and an honor!
When we started our surrogacy agency and egg donor agency, we did not fully
realize the challenges families faced when utilizing a surrogate and/or egg donor
to grow their family. Although we were prepared, knowledgeable, and of course
very excited to embark upon our journey to help others through surrogacy and
egg donation, we have learned so much more from our experiences these past
eight years. We are so grateful to all the intended parents, surrogates, and egg
donors that have trusted us to be a part of something so unique and special.
We understand now more than ever how important our job is and we take it very
seriously. We continue to strive daily to provide exceptional service and care.
We are here to help make your dreams come true. If you have dreamed
of helping a family become parents by becoming a surrogate or egg
donor, contact Pathways To Parenthood today and get started. If
having a baby through surrogacy and/or egg donation is an option you
are considering to make your dreams of becoming a parent come true,
take the first step and contact Pathways To Parenthood today! We have
helped surrogates and intended parents come together in Kansas,
Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois, and Arkansas. If you live in
the Midwest, we are the surrogacy agency for you! You can contact us
at 913-469-5500 or at www.pathwaystoparenthood.com.
Pathways To Parenthood: An Egg Donor & Surrogacy Agency Celebrating Women’s History Month
At Pathways To Parenthood, we celebrate amazing women everyday! The
amazing women that survive the trials and tribulations of infertility; the amazing
women that are willing to help other women (and men too!) become moms (and
dads too!); and the amazing women that tirelessly work at Pathways To
Parenthood to help make others’ dreams come true. March offers all of us an
opportunity to collectively honor the impact women have made in history, and
the groundbreaking history we continue to make every day.
History is filled with stories of so many exceptional and outstanding women who
have accomplished so much that there are far too many to even begin to
mention. History is also filled with countless courageous, strong, and determined
women who lived their lives working hard and caring for others. They lived, and
are living, their lives as a shining example influencing the next generations,
making the world a better place because they were/are in it.
In the spirit of highlighting what amazing feats women have achieved, and
continue to achieve every day, Pathways To Parenthood celebrates women who
are surrogates and egg donors, past and present. These incredible women offer
themselves, literally, to help bring life into the world for someone else. These
women become surrogates and egg donors because they understand the need,
and they want to help others in a really special and unique way.
The gift of surrogacy and egg donation by the women who give of themselves,
brings joy and happiness that is unlike anything else. We all should celebrate any
woman that has been a surrogate or egg donor, or wants to become a surrogate
or egg donor, for they make the impossible possible.
If it is in your heart to help a family become parents by becoming a
surrogate or egg donor, contact Pathways To Parenthood today and get
started. If having a baby through surrogacy and/or egg donation is an
option you are considering, take the first step and contact Pathways To
Parenthood today! You can reach us at 913-469-5500 or at
www.pathwaystoparenthood.com.
Helping People Build Their Families Through Surrogacy & Egg Donation
I am the owner of Pathways To Parenthood. We are an egg donor and surrogacy
agency located in the Midwest. We have helped grow families all over the United
States. And some outside of the United States. Most of our intended parents,
surrogates and egg donors live in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Arkansas,
Illinois and Colorado.
Someone recently asked me what the most challenging or difficult part of working
in the surrogacy agency/egg donor agency business is for me. I would like to
share my thoughts and feelings about this topic as they have given me a renewed
sense of commitment and joy for the work that I do to help others. I hope that it
can somehow benefit anyone that is considering becoming a surrogate or egg
donor, or considering becoming a parent through surrogacy and/or egg donation.
The most challenging and difficult part of my daily work is to hear people’s stories
of disappointment, loss, and ongoing struggles to grow their family. It is not the
stories that make it most difficult for me, even though it makes me sad to hear
them. It is my overwhelming desire to instantly give them what they need to help
them realize their dream to become parents. Even though I am able to offer them
the help they may need to realize their dreams to become parents, of course
there is nothing instantaneous about it! It is not that my intended parents expect
instant results, it is my admittingly impossible to accomplish desire to be able to
do that for them that makes it difficult for me.
Ironically, the most difficult aspect of the work that I do also offers me the
greatest satisfaction and joy. When intended parents reach out to a surrogacy
agency or egg donor agency like Pathways To Parenthood, they are in great need
of assistance in building and growing their family. Oftentimes, in addition to the
painful or difficult history they bring , they are also bringing hope that they can
find the help they need with us. And that is where the most difficult part of my
work intersects with the most wonderful parts of what I get to do every day.
Given I have worked as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in reproductive
health and infertility for twenty years, had personal struggles with infertility and
infertility treatments, and owned and operated a surrogacy agency and egg donor
agency for 8 years, I am able to offer those who reach out to us for help,
knowledge and information based in training, experience, and compassionate
care! No matter where someone is on their journey, I am able to meet them
where they are, and help them along with where they want to go. That is a
wonderful part of the work I do! Knowing that I have helped many along their
way to become parents, and that I have the opportunity every day to help others
in their present state, and in their future, is very important to me.
In addition, the fact that there are incredibly special women who are willing to
help others by being an egg donor or surrogate AND that have also decided to be
a part of Pathways To Parenthood’s programs, gives me the amazing opportunity
to help connect intended parents to them. It takes a lot of time and energy to
locate, screen and prepare women to become a surrogate or egg donor. But it is
time and energy well spent knowing what I am working for, and who I am working
for.
The path to parenthood for our intended parents is not an easy one. But at the
end of it all, the long dreamed for family becomes a reality. And I am privileged
and honored to be a part of that happy ending. I am grateful for the work that I
do, in spite of the challenges and difficulties that come along with it. Because in
the end, it is wonderful to see our parents’, surrogate’s and egg donor’s dreams
come true!
by Kerry Christifano
M.A., LCPC
If it is in your heart to help a family become parents by becoming a
surrogate or egg donor, contact Pathways To Parenthood today and get
started. If having a baby through surrogacy and/or egg donation is an
option you are considering, take the first step and contact Pathways To
Parenthood today! You can reach us at 913-469-5500 or at
www.pathwaystoparenthood.com.