Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
S3E14 Who?! Building Hope: Megan’s Surrogacy Story
50 Plays21 days ago
Summary
In this engaging conversation, Megan takes us through her surrogacy journey with remarkable candor. She discusses the emotional drivers that led her to become a surrogate and the vital support she received from her family throughout the process. Megan details the nuances of matching with intended parents, the stress of transfer day, and the rollercoaster of waiting for pregnancy confirmation. Along the way, she reflects on the challenges and the profound impact her experience has had on both herself and the family she helped build. Ultimately, her story is a celebration of the small, everyday moments that fill her cup with joy and a testament to the power of connection and support in creating families.
Takeaways
-Megan's journey into surrogacy began with a personal connection to infertility.
-Family support played a crucial role in her decision to become a surrogate.
-Researching surrogacy agencies was an important step in her journey.
-Personal experiences from others helped guide her decision-making.
-Megan felt a strong connection to the couple she chose to help.
-Transfer day was filled with both excitement and nervousness for everyone involved and the waiting period after transfer was emotionally challenging for Megan.The moment of discovering she was pregnant was filled with relief and joy.
-Building a relationship with intended parents was crucial for Megan.
-Surrogacy brought a sense of completion to the intended parents' family.
-The bond formed with the intended parents was special and meaningful.
-Megan encourages others to consider surrogacy if they feel called to it.
Links
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to 'Me, You, and Who'
00:00:01
Speaker
Hi everyone, welcome to this episode of Me, You, and Who. Today we're diving into an incredibly moving story with Megan, who shares her journey as a surrogate.
What inspired Megan's surrogacy journey?
00:00:12
Speaker
From the emotional motivations that inspired her decision to the unwavering support of her family, Megan takes us behind the scenes of her surrogacy experience. This is a conversation filled with raw honesty, beautiful reflections, and a celebration of the everyday moments that make life meaningful.
00:00:30
Speaker
Whether you're considering surrogacy, supporting someone on this path, or just curious about this extraordinary process, Megan's story is sure to inspire. So grab a cup of coffee or settle in for your commute.
00:00:42
Speaker
We're so glad you're here to listen. Enjoy. Me, you, and who? Who knew it would take more than two people to have a baby? In a world where infertility is no longer a taboo topic, this podcast will take you through all of the different aspects of surrogacy and egg donation through the lens of many who walk this journey in different ways.
Whitney Hall's experience in surrogacy
00:01:06
Speaker
My name is Whitney Hall, and I am a two-time surrogate now turned surrogacy coordinator for egg donor and surrogate solutions. the very agency I used when I chose to carry for two amazing families.
00:01:20
Speaker
With this podcast, it is our goal to help guide and support you as you learn about what it takes to grow a family in an alternative way, as well as hear inspiring and beautiful stories of how this path has changed lives forever. We can't wait for you to hear about just one more way happy families are created every day.
00:01:44
Speaker
Hi Megan, I'm so glad you're here. Thank you for having me. Oh my gosh, of course. I'm just so excited to hear your story and all of the things.
00:01:56
Speaker
Yes, I'm excited too. So, okay, let's go back. I know we have lived so much life since then, but let's go way back. How did surrogacy even get on your radar?
Megan's motivation from a friend's struggle
00:02:11
Speaker
um So about 12 years ago, i met my best friend in cosmetology school. She was pregnant at the time. um When she turned 20 weeks, she went into labor and had some complications. um she lost that yeah She lost her baby and had to have a flu like a few blood transfusions. And um like seeing her go through that, I had one child at the time.
00:02:41
Speaker
um seeing her go through that I just was like i I want to have baby for you because they told her that she would not be able to carry again. um So I really, like I talked to her about it and she said that they were going to try again and they had come up with like um something for her to kind of aid her through her pregnancy.
00:03:03
Speaker
um And we ended up getting pregnant at the same time. um so it was something. Yeah. So now we have two boys that are the same age and we've been really good friends since then.
00:03:16
Speaker
Um, since then I've had three more, um children of my own. Um, so I don't think I was really quite ready to like finish my family yet.
00:03:29
Speaker
Um, so I'd kind of just kept putting it off and putting it off. But, um, through the years I have come across, um, a bunch of women in my family who have like PCOS and other, um, infertility issues that,
00:03:44
Speaker
kind of touched my heart and was just like, if they would ever ask me to do that for them, then I would. Um, unfortunately it never happened. Like the timing never happened for me to be able to do that for a family member.
Surrogacy as a calling due to infertility struggles
00:03:58
Speaker
Um, so when I knew, like, i just started feeling this pressure, like, a lot like seeing a lot of issues like on Facebook and stuff like that about people with infertility issues and just like a real pressing matter for, um, surrogates and agencies and people looking for surrogates and stuff like that. So I started researching it and I just really felt like a calling to, to do that for somebody. So yeah that's where the journey started.
00:04:29
Speaker
Sure. Sure. I mean, it's so, um, you know, infertility is that thing that no one really wants to talk about. And yet it's so common. Yes. Yes. So much more common than people think. And, you know, the fact that you were surrounded by so many, um, and touched in that way, that's amazing that it was, it stayed on your heart.
00:04:50
Speaker
here We had taught, we had talked about, um, like, what is your gift? And i had jokingly said like, oh, I am able to have children easily. That that just must be my good like my thing.
00:05:08
Speaker
And so that's when I was kind of like, actually, that could be an actual good thing to do for somebody. Yeah, joking. Not a joke at all.
00:05:19
Speaker
So that's kind of what sparked the whole, like let me research this and see like what all I would have to do um to become a surrogate. And at the time... I was not, I, my BMI had not, it wasn't, it was over, um, what they wanted.
00:05:35
Speaker
So just during the whole beginning stage, I just had to kind of work hard to get my body to where it needed to be and able to have a successful journey. Sure. Sure. And BMI is one of those things, you know, I, um,
00:05:51
Speaker
ASRM, they have all of those guidelines and they're there just to make sure that you have that beautiful, healthy pregnancy. boom What a great, you know, you you were able to take that time and think about everything and, um you know, and get and get your body ready for for doing such an amazing thing.
00:06:08
Speaker
What did what did your family and your friends think?
Family support and mixed feelings
00:06:14
Speaker
When you said to them, you know, okay, Hey, this has been like, it's been in the back of my mind for so long.
00:06:20
Speaker
I'm actually like, we're, we're hitting the gas pedal. We're going now. um There were some mixed feelings. So we didn't tell anybody anything until we had matched with a couple and got um like our dates for everything.
00:06:35
Speaker
um So we have four children and um we both, both of our sets of parents and siblings and everybody were here um with us. But yeah. they're kind of used to me like thinking, Oh, I want to do something and just kind of attacking it. So they're like, okay, this is just another thing that you're just wanting to do you know?
00:06:57
Speaker
Um, so at first it was kind of like, okay, we'll see. Um, but then when they realized, um, that we had matched with a couple and actually our children helped us, we kind of set them down. It was around,
00:07:12
Speaker
Last September, we sat them down and we told them, like, this is why I want to do this. Like, we should use our gifts to help other people. Yeah. And it's something that I really wanted to do.
00:07:24
Speaker
And we explained it as like baking cookies for ah neighbor. Yeah. Because our kids are kind of younger. So we were just saying like, they have all the ingredients to make the cookies. They're just going to borrow our oven for a little bit.
00:07:39
Speaker
and And also talked about like transferring plant and stuff like that. But my husband... So the kids were kind of like, after that conversation, they were kind of like, can we go play now?
00:07:50
Speaker
Right. Are we baking? Are we guarding? Yeah. What is going on?
Choosing the intended parents
00:07:57
Speaker
So after that, they did kind of help us look at a few couples that were sent to us and kind of helped us narrow it down. um But my husband from the very beginning is always, he's always like, Whatever you want to do, I support you fully, whatever you want to do.
00:08:11
Speaker
just And so that that was really helpful for him because I didn't have to talk somebody else into being along on my plan with me. He was just very supportive and and we had a big support system. Yeah. And that's so, yeah that's so important when you're going on, on a journey like this, you, you mentioned how, um, you had done a lot of research and, and things like that. What did that research look like? And what ended up, you know, what had you end up with egg donor and surrogate solutions as the agency you wanted to work with?
00:08:46
Speaker
So I actually had looked at a, the first thing that had popped up was a surrogate agency in Kansas. And I was like, I can't go to Kansas to verify this. So I'm very sketchy with online business and online transactions and that kind of thing. So um I actually added a bunch of Facebook groups. I started looking at Facebook groups. There's surrogate support groups. There's like all kinds of matching groups and stuff like that. And so I didn't know at the time.
00:09:18
Speaker
I felt like an 80-year-old, but... I apparently had posted something in a group looking for recommendations for an agency and somehow a friend of mine saw it on like my profile and messaged me and was like, Hey, I'm I know a friend of mine who actually was a surrogate. I see that you're looking to be a surrogate. And I'm like, how did you know that I was looking into this?
00:09:43
Speaker
And she was like, well, it said that you posted in this public group. And I was like, oh my gosh. But she sent me the information um for the lady. And I asked her a bunch of questions, asked her her experience. And so once people kind of started realizing like what I was trying to do, they sent me um their contacts of people who that they who they know who have done it before.
00:10:05
Speaker
Yeah. And personal experience is so, I mean, that firsthand experience is great hear from. Yeah. yeah Yeah. that's awesome. So ultimately you felt comfortable with a donor and surrogate solutions.
00:10:17
Speaker
Um, and you filled out that application, um and you know, went through that whole process. You've talked a little bit about the matching process as far as your family was involved in things like that.
00:10:28
Speaker
How did you know, how did you know that this was the right couple whenever you looked at those profiles? So they sent us five couples and I really like, i was kind of particular on the guidelines that I wanted to match. They only sent, so they sent us five.
00:10:44
Speaker
Um, it was between three couples that I had on a ranking. And in the beginning I had ranked A couple from New Jersey first my actual eyepiece second and then the third person.
00:11:02
Speaker
and I went to bed that night and I just was... praying about it and thinking about like telling my son, i don't know. Like, I just feel something pulling me towards the second couple that we have. Like, I don't know why ah just feel like, I think it was really the stuff that I had read about their son.
00:11:25
Speaker
um and the other couple had two children. They had one child. Um, But I just felt pulled to them. And so in the morning, i was like, I'm just going to let it rest.
00:11:39
Speaker
In the morning, I switched them to number one. And she was like, this couple wants to do it call with you like they want to meet you. So I never even really got to meet the other couple that I had put on there.
00:11:53
Speaker
Once we met with them on a video call, yeah the match it was like, yeah, yeah the match meeting. We were like, okay, we're going to go um to where they live and um meet them in person. And everything just kind of clicked from there.
00:12:09
Speaker
oh my god Yeah. shit just Yeah. It just felt right. It did. I just, I just went to sleep. And when I woke up, I just knew I was like, okay, I got to switch them. it like bothered me all night long.
00:12:21
Speaker
Why am I just drawn to this couple? And I love them. Absolutely love them. And so I don't think that connection, it it maybe could have been the same, but I don't think it could have been any more perfect than the way that it turned out with them. So yeah.
00:12:35
Speaker
um Oh, I love that. So yes one of the things that, you know, you see on an application, at least on ours is, you know, you, well, you see all sorts of things, but you see a lot of like particulars. And one of the particulars is, um, you know, number of embryos and, you know, this, your, your intended parents only had one embryo.
00:12:56
Speaker
Did you even think about that? Was that, how did you feel when you saw that? Um, me, um, with my religious background, i had just kind of prayed about it and said, like, if this is the, every single step of the way, if this is what you want me to do, then you're going to open the doors. If this is not what you want me to do, then at any time I know that you're just going to intervene. And so the day of the transfer, i think was probably the only day that I felt nervous and a lot of pressure.
00:13:28
Speaker
ah just remember I was just like, okay, like I left my medication at home. it was like a six hour drive. I had left one thing at home and it was my bag of medication the night before the transfer.
00:13:42
Speaker
And I'm like, it's 10 o'clock. I'm calling my agent and I'm just like, I have ruined this. I've ruined everything. Like they have one chance. This is their one chance. i was so prepared.
00:13:54
Speaker
She's like, it's fine. Get there early. We'll have medications for you. i'm like, okay. So there was just, there was a lot of pressure. This is just one more reason why you have a coordinator. like I know.
00:14:05
Speaker
I was just, and for a minute I was like, oh my gosh, like I have ruined this. We're going to to reschedule everything. ah it was, it was a little bit of pressure, but I also knew like, I just had a piece that it was all going to be okay. Like it was going to take, I just knew, i just had a feeling that everything was going to work out and that I was going to be able to do this for them.
00:14:27
Speaker
So yeah. So during when you got to transfer day, because there's there's there's so much that happens before you even get to transfer day. You've got to go through medical screening and psych and you've got to go through legal and, you know, just all of that. and you're slowly building that relationship
Transfer day emotions and hopes
00:14:41
Speaker
with your intended parents.
00:14:43
Speaker
How do you think, how are they feeling as you guys are getting, you know, to the big day? I remember when we did the, like the psyche valve and sat down with the counselor, they, they were just like tears of joy were just flowing. And at that point i I, kind of felt like, okay, I really want to make this happen for them just because even just in that moment, we hadn't even started the medication or anything. It was the day that we got approved. Like they did the uterus check and all that. And, right um, they were like, you're good to go.
00:15:18
Speaker
um They just, they had this just sense of like, I just want to take care of you. um and just so much joy. They just like, we're already just grateful that you're wanting to do this for us. Cause I believe they were matched before with somebody else and then her screening had fell through and they, they weren't able to do that. And so I think they didn't want to jump the gun and get too excited, but they also were already so grateful that anybody was just willing to,
00:15:47
Speaker
and take a chance on having just one embryo, you know? Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. So you, you get to transfer day, you got there early, you got your meds, right?
00:16:00
Speaker
Yes. Yes. I have a picture of me holding the pill like this. Like, look, I was showing my husband, like, look what I have to do by myself now because i left it all at home and we weren't able to do it in the hotel this morning.
00:16:17
Speaker
Oh, gosh. Yes. So you got there early. You got all your stuff. you' Were your intended parents there at transfer day? They were. Yes, they were there. Oh, my goodness. So how how did you? Well, you said you had a peace. You said you had a calm.
00:16:34
Speaker
How are they feeling on transfer day? I think they were really excited um and also a little bit nervous. They both went back with me and watched the whole process. um there was a like There was a little bit of a hiccup um during the transfer right before we started. Just them...
00:16:55
Speaker
them not being fully clear on how many we were transferring um because they had thought that one was our, like one had already gone and they had already discarded all the um other ones. so that was a little bit emotional for them because they had to kind of say bye to that. And then we're,
00:17:17
Speaker
we had to kind of hurry and switch to, okay, this is happening. Um, and I felt really, I just felt so bad for them in that moment because I was just like, Oh, this is supposed to be an exciting day, not a sad day. And so, um, after that had happened, um, I think they were really excited. They were excited that they got to be there in the room and watch the whole process. That was like, I think the first connect for me and the, um,
00:17:43
Speaker
mom, she like held my hand and was like, Oh my gosh, like just watching it go through. Um, but, and then we ended up having lunch together and, and stuff like that, but they were really excited on, on the morning of, we, we took a few pictures. i i don't know if you've got them or not, but yeah.
00:18:01
Speaker
Yeah. Oh, that's amazing.
Initial test anxiety and pregnancy confirmation
00:18:05
Speaker
transfer day happens and now it's the longest 10 days of anyone's life. It seems like, and you just are waiting, waiting, waiting for those numbers.
00:18:16
Speaker
Yeah, so ah tested every single day, every single one day no Every single day I tested and I was getting so discouraged. Like i i know somebody who's gone after me and done this and I'm like, don't test.
00:18:33
Speaker
Do not test until the day that they tell you to, because I worried myself. I tested, i want to say five days. I tested five days straight and all of them were negative. And I was like, okay, I'm going to stop.
00:18:45
Speaker
I'm just going to stop. And I'm going to wait till the blood test. um The blood test came and i read it wrong. i I read it wrong. And so I was like, oh my gosh, I'm not pregnant. And I just started bawling.
00:19:04
Speaker
I called my aunt who also works at my OB b doctor. I called my aunt and I was like, oh my gosh, I'm just so emotional. Like, I don't, I don't know what happened. Like I did everything I could.
00:19:17
Speaker
And she's like, what are you talking about? It means that means you're pregnant. And I was like, wait, what? Cause my, numbers weren't super high at first, but they were definitely above what they needed to be.
00:19:28
Speaker
And so, and then I like literally immediately slipped and was like, Oh my gosh. Okay. I'm hanging up with you and I'm calling the mom. So I hung up on her and called the mom. And so, or I don't think I called the mom. I think I called my, the agency to make sure they were going to tell them all, you know, i just wanted to make sure that they knew immediately and they were, you know, informed. So yeah.
00:19:52
Speaker
Oh my gosh. That's amazing. So how was, I mean, okay. So we like, we went on a whiplash of a situation there.
00:20:04
Speaker
And then you finally talked to, to parents. When did it, when did it feel, did it feel real or were you kind of like, I don't even know yet? Yeah, I don't even know yet because I, like my levels, we didn't want to get so excited because my levels weren't as high. So they had me up some doses of some stuff. Sure, sure. And so I just was kind of like doing at like everything, but like double checking everything. I'm just like yeah walking eggshells, like resting, not going anywhere. And so...
00:20:41
Speaker
I, am yeah, I think we were just a little nervous at first because the numbers weren't as high, but it all ended up working out. So, oh my gosh. Yeah. How, how was, how were mom and dad?
00:20:54
Speaker
were they, they, did they remain kind of cautiously optimistic or like, when do you think that switched for them? Where they were like, oh, this is happening. I would say after a few weeks of being pregnant, just to whenever I went to retest and my numbers had gone up and, and they could kind of see that, you know, everything's okay. We're all good stuck and she's growing and everything looks good. And so it's crazy what the body can do.
Maintaining connection during pregnancy
00:21:24
Speaker
It really is. It really is. And it's beautiful. and it's beautiful. Oh yeah, absolutely. Yes. Yeah. Oh, that's amazing. How was, okay, so, know, we have, we have pregnancy, intended parents are six hours away.
00:21:38
Speaker
Were they coming to appointments as best as they could? How was, you know, how was your relationship with them as we got to this point? And, oh my gosh, you, it was that one embryo, the little embryo that could. Yes.
00:21:50
Speaker
and I know. Yes. So me and the mom kind of started like checking in with each other a little bit more. um She sent us some stuff for Christmas and Thanksgiving.
00:22:02
Speaker
And I thought that was so sweet of her. She just really, really made sure to take care of me. She found any kind of reason just to send me something. She's the sweetest. ah um And I know um they came to ah few appointments, like the big appointments when we were going to do a sonogram, they came to those um the rest of the time. If they just did the heartbeat or something, I would record it and send it to them or we would do a WhatsApp where they could do a video chat.
00:22:29
Speaker
Um, with us. Um, but every time they came to an appointment, I mean, we either had lunch or brunch or something. So I thought that was fun just to kind of get to see them outside of the doctor's appointments. And I felt bad because they were driving six hours to come and sit like, um,
00:22:46
Speaker
Our appointments were over in like 20 minutes. So I just felt really bad, but they, but they wanted to be there. And so they were so excited to be there and just watching them with their little phones or just recording all the sonograms and stuff was perfect. It was so sweet.
00:23:01
Speaker
Oh, I love that. So we had a glorious pregnancy. How was delivery day?
Delivery day experiences
00:23:11
Speaker
Oh my gosh.
00:23:13
Speaker
It was, it was different than all my other deliveries. I feel like, because I had just went in there with the mindset of this is about my IPs and the baby and i'm just, you know, just worried about them and focused on them. And my nurse was kind of like, okay, you're the one in labor.
00:23:36
Speaker
Like, come on. It's a little bit about you. I'm like, she's yeah. And I'm, I got there early. My water, I actually had to go in the night before and start getting induced.
00:23:48
Speaker
Um, I had to do that with all five pregnancies, but the last one, this last one, and my water ended up breaking the morning of, I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth and put on some mascara.
00:24:00
Speaker
I walked back over to my bag and my water broke and my water had never broken before ever. so I like done in the bathroom it had to be done like I know. I was like, my husband's asleep. i'm like, babe, wake up.
00:24:15
Speaker
I think my water broke. He's like, no, I think you just peed on yourself. I'm like, no, I don't think so. ah that was kind of cool to experience. Cause I did want to experience like my water actually breaking on its own.
00:24:27
Speaker
But that morning, um, the intended father had decided to go on like a 10 mile run and new city and, They almost, she was like rushing him back and was like, he almost missed the birth. Like they almost missed it. oh By the time they got there, I was dilated to, i want to say she got there when I was dilated to like a seven and we were sitting there talking and she came in and checked me and she was like, okay, yeah, you're at an eight.
00:24:58
Speaker
And then i was like, she's talking. The mom is talking and I'm like, Trying to get like trying to not interrupt her, but I'm like, I think I need to push. And she's like, oh, okay, here we go.
00:25:11
Speaker
So once that happened, everything happened so fast. This was my fastest delivery, easiest delivery. I pushed for two contractions. Oh my gosh. Yeah. Two contractions, six minutes. And she came right out.
00:25:26
Speaker
Wow. And it was just so cool. to i didn't I was just watching like her. My husband got emotional, but I just was watching her the whole time I was pushing. And it was just so cool um to have her in the room with me and to...
00:25:41
Speaker
like be able to see her experience that, um, because the her first pregnancy. I don't believe that she was able. I don't believe she was able to like see everything. You know what i mean?
00:25:54
Speaker
Um, just have the full experience. Yes. Yes. So, um, It was just really cool watching her face light up and she just got so giddy and so excited. She's so, so stinking cute when she's excited. I just love just how energetic she gets and how she's just cute.
00:26:12
Speaker
So she was really excited. Yeah. Oh, that's amazing. said your husband got emotional. Was he, how was he through even this, the journey as a whole? I know he was just so supportive. Yeah.
00:26:25
Speaker
he was very supportive, but even like just with like kicks and movements and stuff, we weren't, I just was real careful to get connected to the baby. Um, I just didn't want to overstep or or do any, anything like to the, anything that would mess up like their bond.
00:26:44
Speaker
Um, so going into it, I think he got emotional because he was like, it's just crazy. Like, We saw it in the Petri dish and then he saw just the whole transformation of like from beginning to end.
00:27:01
Speaker
He said that like seeing it come to an end was kind of just emotional because he just thought it was just so amazing. Like what, what my body had done. and so He just said that the emotions were high and everything was just so perfect.
00:27:15
Speaker
So that's why got emotional. love that. Well, sure. Sure. that's amazing. How was post delivery?
00:27:25
Speaker
How was hanging? did um Did mom and dad hang out for a little bit?
00:27:33
Speaker
Yep. So they stayed in a separate a room in so in the post-op and, um, we were like a few doors down. So I think we were there until the next afternoon. Um, my family came in and they were able to meet the baby and the mom. and she just was like, just here, take a picture here, hold her. And our, our two youngest sons got to hold her and take a picture with her. And I got to, I walked down there. we I think we went down there twice and did two rounds of pictures that, um,
00:28:08
Speaker
before we left and got to send her off and everything. So, Oh, I love it. Your babies met the cookies. Yeah, they did. They did. that's funny.
00:28:20
Speaker
Oh, I love that. How, how were your kiddos when they got to meet her and how was that for you? Um, our six year old got a little emotional. I've never really asked him why he just, he's just like his dad though. And so when he saw her, he kind of like was like, Oh, it's her. Like she's actually here now because I would say careful, like I'm carrying a baby and we would talk about her and stuff. But, um, our youngest one is three. So I don't, I don't think he was really interested in anything other than like getting out of there and coming back. Sure.
00:28:56
Speaker
But even when we got home, he was like real hesitant. Like, is there a baby in there? Like what's going on? And so, yeah. a that's so sweet. How has everything been post delivery?
Post-delivery connections with the family
00:29:11
Speaker
Great. Um, yeah, I've just, I've been staying home and doing a little bit of work. I talked to the, um, the mom, she sends us videos and pictures and stuff. And I just put up, I got my Christmas out early, but, um, I just, I was looking at their card from Christmas from last year and it was just them three. And so I texted her and I was like, I cannot wait to see your Christmas card this year because she's going to be on it.
00:29:40
Speaker
And, um, And they sent, she sent their Halloween costume, which was cute because they all three matched. And so I like getting those little updates and hearing from her and seeing how the, she's grown so much. I'm like, I thought just my kids grew fast, but she's growing fast too.
00:29:59
Speaker
ah that's so sweet. And that's wonderful that you get continue to just, you know, be a part, you're always going to be a part of their lives, but you get to be and see all of that fun. Just those milestones, like watching Christmas cards, you know, yes and see all of that.
00:30:15
Speaker
yeah would you say it was maybe one of the biggest surprises looking back on your journey? Um, I was surprised that the shots were not as intense as what thought they were going to be. I'm not very big on like needles and such.
00:30:35
Speaker
Um, but it was actually pretty easy. Like I'm very, like, I have to have everything laid out and look at everything first and then I can, I overthink it all. So like when the big box came in, i was just like, oh my gosh, I'm going to screw up something. I had notes and all kinds of stuff written out like this goes here and watched videos on numbing and all kinds of stuff. So I think that was a surprise is that That was kind of easy. That was kind of the easy part.
00:31:05
Speaker
I love that. I say that to everyone. I'm like, you know, it seems really big and I know that needle looks scary, but I promise you once you do it that first time, it's going to get better. Yeah, it got easier and easier. And then I'm just like, boop.
00:31:17
Speaker
There we Yeah. Oh, I love that. Do you have any advice that you would give to you know, a woman who is thinking about being a surrogate or is in the middle of her journey or maybe even intended parents?
00:31:35
Speaker
I would say, that's a good question. i think having the mindset of just being able to do this for somebody,
00:31:47
Speaker
um going in it and like and and fully understanding like what all you're doing, um, like mentally and stuff like that would, would be, beneficial.
00:32:01
Speaker
Um, because I know that a lot of people have said to me, and also if you're thinking about doing it, like really research it and really look into it. Cause I know that a lot of people who I've told I'm a surrogate, like,
00:32:17
Speaker
I would say about like 25% of the people that I say that to, they come back and say, I always wanted to do that, but I just never did. And so I'm like, I'm so glad that i I actually finished the process and did it because I would hate to have that regret. And I'm not saying anything negative about them but I'm just saying if it's something that you really really want to do um look into it and talk to people and like at least try to do it if that's something that you really want to do at least like give it a shot I know that there's a lot of people out there that would be so like grateful and so supportive um for you to to go through that journey for them
00:33:01
Speaker
um I love that.
Advice for aspiring surrogates
00:33:03
Speaker
Yes, there are. There are so many intended parents. And, you know, if you if you just all you can do is ask, all you can do is try. And just not trying. I think exactly what your what your IP said to you. You know, we're just grateful that you're even here and wanting to do this. And that hope that you give to someone is just that alone is huge and such a difference maker.
00:33:26
Speaker
Yes, i agree. Yeah. What would, okay, I want you to finish this sentence for me. I'm glad I was a surrogate because. Oh, I'm glad I was a surrogate because I feel like their family is now complete.
00:33:43
Speaker
Like they, she is just like the missing puzzle that fits perfectly right into their family. And I was, I'm so glad that I was able to be a part of that, a very small part of making that happen for them.
00:33:59
Speaker
I wouldn't say small. I'd say you were a pretty big player in that. A little small part in helping them do that. Yeah. Helping them achieve that. That's beautiful.
00:34:11
Speaker
Well, I have one last question for you. Okay. For anyone who knows me, they know that I have a very just close relationship with coffee. And so I always like to ask the question, what filled your cup today?
00:34:29
Speaker
Literally or figuratively, what was the thing that filled your cup? I like to pause and and kind of just be in the moment with my kiddos because like I said earlier, they are just growing way too fast. And so what filled my cup today is just being appreciative, like getting...
00:34:51
Speaker
to see them come home to me and see them smile like as they enter the door and excited to see me and it makes me feel really special and loved by them so even on the hard moments it like you forget all of the hard moments for those little the good little moments um where they just embrace being in your presence Absolutely. that's beautiful. And I love that you got to have that. Those are the best moments for sure. Yes, they are.
00:35:22
Speaker
yeah ah Well, Megan, thank you so much for just sharing your story and giving advice and, um you know, just completing and creating that beautiful, happy family with that sweet girl. And now you have a Christmas card to look forward to. Yes, I'm excited.
Podcast community and subscription encouragement
00:35:41
Speaker
Thank you so much for joining us on this episode of Me, You, and Who. We appreciate your time and hope you enjoyed our discussion today. As we wrap, we would like to remind you of some of the ways that you can stay connected with us and be part of the Me, You, and Who podcast community.
00:35:59
Speaker
Firstly, if you haven't already, make sure to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform. Hit that subscribe button so you never miss an episode and can stay up to date with our latest content.
00:36:10
Speaker
But that's not all. We also have an exciting YouTube channel where we share some bonus content behind the scenes glimpses and video versions of our episodes. Head over to YouTube and hit that subscribe button there as well. And don't forget to click the notification bell.
00:36:26
Speaker
So you'll be the first to know when the new episodes go live and for more exclusive updates, engaging discussions, and a chance to connect with fellow listeners. Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts.
00:36:38
Speaker
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok at Create a Happy Family. If you're interested in finding out more about creating a happy family, please visit us at www.createahappyfamily.com.
00:36:52
Speaker
Thank you again for being part of the Me, You & Who community. Your support means the world to us. I can't wait for you to join us next time as we continue to share stories and journeys of creating happy families.