There were a couple of you who asked who I would be doing this for:  Well the whole idea arose when a very good friend of mine expressed an interest in having more children despite her inability to do so.  I told her that I would carry a baby for her in a heartbeat.  She looked into it and determined that it wasn’t a possibility for her family at this time, but it really got me to thinking.  I did a little research and decided that this was really something I could do.  I am currently signed with an agency, but have also been looking independently.  I’ve connected with a couple of groups and met some really great ladies in our area who are just a wealth of information.  In fact I had lunch last Saturday with a group of surrogates, all at various stages of their journeys, including one that had just given birth a week ago.  The IF’s (Intended Fathers as they’re called - kindda like PAP’s) came with the newborn.  It was really wonderful to see the surromom there with the IF’s and the baby.  Such a magical connection!

The IF’s had chosen an separate egg donor and a surrogate (this is gestational surrogacy, if they had chosen to look for a surrogate who would use her own eggs, this would be traditional surrogacy.)  Since there were two possible choices for the male part of the DNA, they each had one embryo created and had them both implanted into the surrogate.  It was almost like the lotto because neither of them knew who’s baby it was until they had genetic testing done after she was born.  

So there you go, I will be doing for people I do not currently know (but of course that could change), and I am looking via an agency, as well as independently.  

Next question:  No, Teri, I will not be on the birth certificate.  It will not genetically be my child.  In fact, in Oregon, it’s becoming more common for surrogates to be able to get a Pre-Birth Order (PBO) (as long as the bio-parents are a traditionally married couple) which would eliminate my name from the process all together.  Without the PBO, my name, and Matt’s name since we’re married, will automatically go on the birth cert, and a lawyer will have it changed in court to reflect the actually parent’s names.  Although, I have heard that there is a way to get my name, and the bio father’s name on the birth certificate and then the bio mom would have to complete a step-parent-adoption.

On to another one:  Yes, my mom knows but this post will probably be the first my dad hears about it.  hehe.  Many of our LOCAL friends and family already know.  I did not want to say anything until I was sure that it was going to work out but so far things have been pretty smooth.  My mom is very supportive.  I’m pretty sure that Matt’s only concern is how bitchy I’ll get during the pregnancy, but that’s probably about it.  

Like I “said” above, I’m currently still looking for my IP’s (intended parents) but have been talking to some very nice couples.  I imagine after I commit to a couple, we will work up the contracts, get started with testing, and I might be able to be pregnant by the end of the summer.  That is, as long as I find IPs that I really like by then.

I hope that answered some of your questions.  Of course feel FREE to ask more - even you Teri!  Or to just make comments.  I love hearing from you guys.