Picture a late thirties woman with vivid blue hair who loves rock climbing, fell running, and racing enduro/downhill mountain bikes.
Meet Jen, an outdoor enthusiast and Architectural Technologist by trade, who designs mental health hospitals and enjoys an adventure or two.
This includes giving birth to a beautiful baby girl, Isabella, in her living room during a screening of Gavin and Stacey, as a host surrogate for the proud parents, Ellie and James.
When she isn’t designing hospitals or tackling gruelling mountain bike trails, Jen spends her time making dreams come true.
Alongside her passion for outdoor pursuits, she’s always had a particular interest in helping others in a unique and life-changing way: surrogacy.
Always a keen adventurer, the thought of exploring the limits of her body intrigued her. This, coupled with the desire to help others and act as a role model for her daughter, led her to consider surrogacy.
After a three-year journey and many heart-warming experiences, Jen delivered Isabella, the bundle of joy for Ellie and James.
Jen’s decision to become a host surrogate wasn’t surprising to her family and friends. They knew her as someone who goes out of her way to help others, a woman who never shies away from a challenge. The notion of carrying a baby for another couple was just another incredible venture for Jen.
When faced with misconceptions or negativity around surrogacy, Jen remains calm and educates others. Her eloquent way of shedding light on the reality of altruistic surrogacy in the UK allows her to change attitudes and help dispel stereotypes.
Building a friendship with Ellie and James was an essential part of the journey. The time of COVID-19 meant their first meetings were virtual. The bond strengthened over time, seeing them through each stage of the surrogacy journey. With Jen located around 120 miles away, the friendship survived the physical distance, strengthened by monthly meetups and consistent communication.
As the delivery day arrived, the air was heavy with anticipation, and the atmosphere was marked by an empowering, ethereal calm.
Jen, armed with her incredible strength and courage, began her labour journey in the familiar surroundings of her home, a setting as peaceful as it was intimate.
The birth unfolded naturally, a testament to the wonders of hypnobirthing practices – no medical interventions, no pain relief, just the raw power of a woman’s body.
This scene was the manifestation of all their hopes and dreams, just as they had envisioned. This incredible trust that Jen had in her body was mirrored by Ellie and James’ unwavering faith in her. The room vibrated with palpable emotion, resonating with the pure, primal rhythms of childbirth.
The defining moment arrived when Ellie, the mother-to-be, gently lifted her newborn daughter, Isabella, out of the birthing water with her husband James by her side.
The sight was breathtaking, unforgettable, and indescribably moving – a testament to the miracle of life and the transformative power of surrogacy.
Witnessing these life-changing moments were Jen’s husband and daughter, both enveloped in the profound joy and euphoria filling the room. The emotions of the day carried Jen aloft, a euphoric high that kept her on cloud nine for weeks. Her body had achieved something extraordinary, and her family had been there every step of the way.
The sense of pride and accomplishment was immeasurable, reverberating through her every day since.
In the aftermath of Isabella’s birth, Jen’s role in the newly formed family did not cease. Her continued involvement manifested through expressing breastmilk for baby Isabella, ensuring the little one received the best nourishment possible. The handovers of the frozen milk became frequent meetups, each a chance to revel in the magic of the family they had helped form.
The connection with Ellie, James, and Isabella extended beyond these meetups, nurtured through regular chats in their shared WhatsApp group. Monthly face-to-face meetings over the years allowed their unique friendship to blossom.
Despite the physical distance between them, their shared journey had woven their lives together into a tapestry of shared experiences, affection, and mutual respect – an extraordinary relationship born from an extraordinary act of kindness.
Becoming a surrogate taught Jen patience and the power of taking one day at a time. It brought her family closer and made her marriage stronger. In her words, being a surrogate has been one of the most fantastic things she has done in her life.
Her advice to potential surrogates? Research thoroughly, don’t rush, communicate effectively, believe in yourself, and most importantly, trust your body. The journey might take longer than expected, but the joy at the end is worth every moment.
Jen’s story offers an extraordinary perspective on surrogacy. From choosing the intended parents, undergoing embryo transfer, to managing expenses and confidently dealing with consultants as a team, she has walked a path of courage, resilience and love.
By doing so, she not only changed her own life but also the lives of Ellie, James, and baby Isabella, making her an inspiration to all. “Extreme babysitting”, as Jen fondly calls it, is indeed a testament to the power of kindness and the strength of the human spirit.
This architect, outdoor enthusiast, and mother has indeed constructed a beautiful family and shown that love, like her adventurous spirit, knows no bounds
Surrogacy Awareness Week 2024 
Leave a comment