How Can I Best Support My Wife/Partner/Best Friend Through Her Surrogacy Journey?
It might seem like surrogacy is all about the Intended Parents and their Surrogate but honestly, the person supporting the process is very important as well. Consider all of the issues that a woman might face throughout her own pregnancy and then add a team of reproductive professionals and some very anxious Intended Parents and you can see how vital a support person is. Below is a short outline of what to expect as a surrogacy support person:
First, it’s important that you learn all the facts regarding surrogacy before agreeing to support your loved one throughout this process. Having all of your questions answered either by your partner/friend or their agency should be your first step to understanding this journey.
Secondly, is a dedication to helping the surrogacy process run smoothly. Attending appointments, understanding the contracts, and making sure that your partner is surrounded by a stress-free environment is key. Being someone that is dedicated really helps everyone in the long run.
Third, you have to be flexible. You might be asked to have a test for STDs/Covid/Zika or to take time off from work to attend appointments (with reimbursement, of course) or spend time taking care of daily chores you might not normally find in your wheelhouse. All these things are out of the norm but for surrogacy, it’s par for the course. You are basically putting the surrogacy journey first and foremost for the next year or so.
Last but not least, your willingness to work out issues and problems throughout the surrogacy journey makes a huge difference, especially to the Intended Parents. When they see their surrogate working as a team with her significant other it helps to calm their nerves and feel secure in their own choices. Of course, you are expecting the same from them. Teamwork, selflessness, and reliability are all important ingredients for a successful surrogacy pregnancy and birth.