Surrogacy Awareness Week 2024

With a vibrant household bustling with her four children, you’d think She might be ready for a break. But no – Stacey was captivated by the beauty of childbirth and longed to experience it again. Not necessarily for herself, but to help someone else bring a little bundle of joy into their lives.

A video of a home birth on a mutual Facebook group ( aren’t those algorithmic recommendations a treat sometimes?), sparked Stacey’s inspiration.

She connected with Jemma Krystal Black, a seasoned surrogate, and through her, met Dawn at SurrogacyUK (SUK). SUK’s ethical stance and steadfast support made it an obvious choice for Stacey to take the plunge into the wild surrogacy waters.

Now imagine trying to choose from a sea of potential Intended Parents (IPs). Sounds tricky, right? But Stacey soon realised it was purely a decision of the heart.

Her husband, friends and children played significant roles in the process, supporting her all the way, while other family members… let’s just say they kept their opinions to themselves. But our Stacey, with her fiery spirit and outspoken nature, wasn’t deterred.

Stacey found herself batting away a few surrogacy myths, keen to set the record straight. A particularly unsavoury incident involved a spot of homophobia, but thankfully Stacey’s 11 year old daughter, as sassy and quick-thinking as her mum, defended her and their honorary ‘uncles’.

Speaking of these honorary uncles, finding her IP ‘dream team’ was a bit like stumbling upon a four-leaf clover – unexpected but delightful. Initially just another set of applicants, they soon formed a special bond on social media. Their values aligned like stars in the sky, and their journey quickly became steeped in love, trust, and mutual respect.

Fast forward to 29 weeks pregnant with their daughter and it’s so far, so good. Her IPs have been super supportive , leaving Stacey in no doubt that they’ll be the most fantastic parents.

She’s looking forward to another home birth and is excited to see their family bloom. Plus, she’ll be donning her super-mum cape again, providing breast milk to support the baby’s growth.

To Stacey, surrogacy is a shining trophy in her life’s achievements, allowing her to sprinkle a little family-building magic. And she’s not closed the door on this chapter – she’s open to a sibling journey in the future providing their relationship continues to blossom.

For those teetering on the edge of their surrogacy journey, Stacey’s advice is to jump right in. The rewards, she says, go beyond the pregnancy itself. It’s about forging unbreakable friendships and feeling the warm embrace of a supportive community.

As for why she chose a same-sex couple, Stacey shrugs it off. It was never about gender; it was always about connection! Stacey’s adventure has added a new branch to her family tree, with two honorary uncles and a non-biological cousin for her kids to adore.

She’s grateful to SurrogacyUK for their invaluable support and the sense of family they’ve cultivated.

So, there you have it, folks – Stacey’s whirlwind journey into surrogacy. It’s a beautiful reminder that when it comes to creating a family, there are no rules. Just love, trust, respect and a sprinkle of Stacey’s undeniable zest for life.