Being a surrogate mother is one of the greatest gifts you can give intended parents. It is also a life-changing experience for the surrogate mother.
The thing is, every surrogacy journey is unique for all intended parents and the surrogate mother alike. It’s for this reason that we highlight seven things that a surrogate mother can do to make the journey worthwhile.
- Adhere to your specialist’s advice
Being a surrogate mother involves being in constant talks with your specialist for more reasons than one. For instance, your Oregon surrogacy specialist can be your main source of support during the surrogacy process. They can help clarify any issues and give you invaluable advice whenever you need it.
- Inform your family
Surrogacy is a huge decision that not only affects you but the people around you. Make sure your husband and children are involved, talk to them about your intentions and seek their opinion. For older children, make sure they understand the circumstances as it can be quite confusing if they get attached to the baby, only for them not to have a chance to see it after birth.
If some family members have their concerns, explain to them why you want to do it. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing you have a great support system.
- Ensure you have peace of mind
Your mental health is as important as your physical health. Pregnancies can be challenging, especially when dealing with uncontrolled emotions.
As much as these side effects are natural, they can cause emotional stress. However, to ensure you have a smooth pregnancy, seek mental clarity. Stay away from stressful situations and talk to your support system when you feel like the pregnancy challenges are taking a toll on you.
- Eat healthily
The importance of eating healthily during pregnancy cannot be over-emphasized. The growing baby needs as many nutrients and vitamins as possible to facilitate the proper growth. Only eat nutritious foods and stay away from unhealthy things such as sugars and processed foods.
- Exercise
Exercise is vital for any pregnancy journey. It plays a huge role in ensuring smoother labour. However, during pregnancy, you need to make sure to engage in low-impact exercises.
A fitness enthusiast surrogate can go for a prenatal exercise class, low impact strength training, yoga, and swimming sessions. For surrogates who are not keen on fitness, walking is the preferred exercise that allows their bodies to remain active throughout the pregnancy.
- Involve the intended parents
During the pregnancy, the surrogate mother will make a connection with the growing baby. To make it easier for the intended parents to bond with the baby after birth, allow them to talk to the baby while it is still in the womb. Let them tag along prenatal visits. Go the extra mile and start listening to the intended parent’s favourite music. That way, the baby can sense familiarity once they are home.
- Document everything
Just like every pregnancy, the surrogacy journey is special. It is an experience worth remembering for both you and the intended parents.
Make it extra special for the intended parents by taking photos of the baby and sharing with them the scans.
To ensure you vividly remember the experience, have a journal where you can write down your thoughts, feelings, joys, and challenges of the surrogacy journey. It may be a once in a lifetime opportunity, so make sure you capture every moment of it.