Emma is not just a dedicated and selfless mother of four but also a compassionate surrogate who chose to help another family fulfil their dreams of parenthood.
Being a single mum to four amazing children, three of whom were conceived through IVF, Emma’s journey to surrogacy has been paved with empathy, perseverance, and an undeterred belief in giving back to the community.
A fascinating conversation during her twin pregnancy with a lady who was carrying a child for her brother and sister-in-law sparked Emma’s curiosity about surrogacy.
Unfortunately, her partners at the time weren’t comfortable with the idea, and so it remained a dormant desire. However, after having her fourth child and becoming single, Emma felt it was time to fulfil her long-standing wish.
Emma’s meticulous research led her to SurrogacyUK, and she initiated conversations with potential Intended Parents (IPs). She had two deal breakers initially: geographic proximity and a preference for childless couples.
That changed when she met Nadia, Mark, and their daughter, Kya. Despite the couple living over three hours away and already having a child, Emma felt an undeniable connection with them. She put aside her pre-set conditions realising that their distance and existing family did not make them any less deserving.
Emma took the unprecedented step of offering to Get To Know (GTK) Nadia, Mark, and Kya before ever meeting them in person. As far as Nadia and Mark knew, Emma was just a friend who was a surrogate. It was only after a few weeks of sharing voice notes that Emma and her children sent them a video message offering a GTK, to their utter surprise.
It was a touching moment that cemented their relationship, proving the adage “when you know, you know”.
Emma’s friends and family were unsurprised by her decision to become a surrogate, knowing her propensity for pushing boundaries. Despite initial concerns due to her recent marriage breakup, they proved to be a constant source of support.
Emma and her IPs conceived on their first embryo transfer, a joyous event celebrated with McDonald’s fries.
The journey was not without its ups and downs, including a few early scares, but Emma found immense support both from her IPs and the wider SurrogacyUK community.
The birth of baby Toby was a profound moment. Emma describes how Nadia seemed to transform before her eyes, becoming a ‘complete person’ after something had been missing for so long.
The separation was made easier by daily contact and planned meet-ups and weekends away.
The surrogacy journey has enriched Emma and her family’s life in ways they had not anticipated. It extended beyond the relationship with her IPs to a larger community of surrogates, IPs, and their children. Emma refers to it as a whole village of people she never knew existed and now couldn’t be without.
Emma’s decision to become a surrogate wasn’t just about helping others, but it was also about fulfilling a personal desire. It was a decision she made for herself, an aspiration she had harboured for years.
Emma’s advice to potential surrogates? Embrace the friendships and don’t hesitate to ask for help or support when needed.
According to her, SurrogacyUK has been an incredible source of support, and the socials, gala, and conference provided unforgettable memories.
Despite occasional misunderstanding and misconceptions, Emma is firm in her belief: the baby was never hers to hand over; she was merely providing the means for another family to realise their dream of parenthood. And for Emma, that was more than enough.
Surrogacy has not just been about bringing joy to others for Emma; it has been an enriching journey for herself, a path paved with lifelong friendships, shared joy, and unforgettable memories.
Surrogacy Awareness Week 2024 
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