Surrogacy

[aaronsmom]

Not sure if this is the right place for this. Sorry if it's not.
I have two children and another on the way. I guess you could say I'm pretty fertile and I think that may be one of the factors that lead to this.
I've never really considered surrogacy before, and I don't think I'd ever do it for a stranger, but recently my Aunt and Uncle (who have been trying to conceive unsuccessfully for years and even had a newborn adoption set up that didn't go through due to the mom changing her mind) broached the subject of me being a gestational surrogate for them within the next couple of years (because of my current pregnancy we'll want my body to heal for at least a year afterwards).
They are wonderful people and I love them dearly and everyone in my family was surprised when I said that I'd most likely be willing to do this. Even though this is only in the earliest stages of discussion, I want to start my research now.
I know the mechanics of it but I want to know if anyone else has done this for a close friend or family member? Would it feel strange for me to carry and birth my cousin? Will I have any motherly attachment to an infant that is not genetically mine? I have so many questions.
On the other hand, are any of you parents to you bio kids from a surrogate? What was your relationship to the surrogate?
Any info/personal stories would be great!

[ariahsmum]

I don't have the time to send a link now, but there used to be a fairly active surrogacy group on FYT.

Look over there, you may get the support you are needing. We were aiming for surrogacy at one point, so I spent quite a bit of time over there.

HTH!

[RedOakMomma]

There was a very active thread about this a few months back...lots of people with differing viewpoints, including surrogates themselves, on the pros and cons of doing this:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1026269

[aaronsmom]

Originally Posted by RedOakMomma

There was a very active thread about this a few months back...lots of people with differing viewpoints, including surrogates themselves, on the pros and cons of doing this:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1026269

Thanks!

[tiffani]

I have a friend who has 4 kids plus a new step-son (only making the distinction because in this case how many kids she has birthed is sort of relevant and I didn't want to leave him out altogether! ) and she JUST gave birth to a baby as a surrogate. I have only spoken to her briefly since the birth, but I think she feels close to the baby, but truly like the baby is not at all hers -- like she was babysitting inside her womb. She has no family connection to the parents (she was hired as a surrogate) but I wouldn't think it would be strange to be a surrogate to a family member. when you know the entire time that the baby is not your baby, you just don't develop the same kind of attachment that you do with your own kids. I don't think it would be weird for your aunt and uncle or your cousin that you give birth to, because THEY would be the parents, not you. Personally I wouldn't go along with it if it was going to be at all hidden or secretive -- I'd want the kid to know exactly how they came into the world because kids deserve to know that, but other than that I think it would be awesome if you want to do it!

[femalephish]

Originally Posted by ariahsmum

I don't have the time to send a link now, but there used to be a fairly active surrogacy group on FYT.

Look over there, you may get the support you are needing. We were aiming for surrogacy at one point, so I spent quite a bit of time over there.

HTH!

What's FYT?

[lauren]

Finding Your Tribe, here at MDC:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...isplay.php?f=7

[airmide_m]

Here is a link to a very active surrogate mothers forum. I think most people there are surrogates.

http://www.surromomsonline.com/support/