When you take that first monumental step and become a surrogate or sign up to work with a surrogacy agency, it can seem like you’ve got a lifetime ahead of you. However, as the weeks and months tend to pass by quickly, and before you know it, the baby is here in what feels like the blink of an eye. Many intended parents and surrogates like to find unique ways to document the surrogacy journey, either for themselves or to show their little one the very special path that brought him or her here. If you’d like a unique way of commemorating your surrogacy journey, try one of the ideas below or use them as inspiration for your own.
1) Create a Weekly or Monthly Pregnancy Scrapbook
Scrapbooks are easy to put together and there are lots of options to make them one-of-a-kind. Include things like photos of parents, the gestational surrogate, and family members. Ultrasounds, little blurbs about how you’re feeling, and how excited you are to meet the little one work well too.
2) Design a Custom Shirt
There are lots of adorable shirts surrogates can make. DIY Maternity came up with a simple weekly countdown shirt made with fabric paint, though it would be easy to adapt it to months or add in phrases of your choosing. Slogans such as “My pod, their pea,” or “My oven, their bun,” are a fun tongue-in-cheek way to preempt questions.
3) Have a Belly Cast (or Two) Made
Belly casts can be made professionally or with DIY kits and look their best when done near the very end of the pregnancy. Surrogates tend to appreciate them because they’re a sweet reminder of the life they nurtured. Many intended parents like to hold onto them because they can be a teaching point for their little one or help show that he or she was loved by them long before the arrival. While belly casts can look quite elegant if left unadorned, some choose to decorate them to match the nursery or add their own special touches.
4) Schedule Regular Gatherings and Take Photos
While your schedule and personal preferences will determine how often you can meet up with your surrogacy team, many find themselves scheduling dinners and gettogethers in addition to meeting up for doctor’s appointments. If everyone is up for it, snap a few photos each time you’re all together and add them to your album or scrapbook. You’ll likely appreciate the memories after baby is born and it can also be a beautiful way to teach your little one about his or her journey in a natural way.
5) Create a Blog
Blogs can be private/ locked down by password or be public, depending on how much you want to reveal to the world. You can use many different themes, such as having each person (intended parents and surrogate) write letters to the little one or sharing developmental milestones. Just be sure to check in with the others on your team if you’re opting for a public blog and plan to share any identifying information, as each person may have different privacy preferences.
Let EDSI Help You Through Your Surrogacy Journey
The Egg Donor and Surrogacy Institute has been the chosen partner for countless families who have made the decision to grow via surrogacy. At EDSI, we help intended parents and surrogates meet their ideal matches and follow our pairings throughout the process to ensure the journey is smooth for all. If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, please review our guidelines and reach out to us if you think you’re a good candidate. Intended parents can learn more about the surrogacy process on our site and contact us when you’re ready to begin your journey.
