Meet Danyelle!

“I am extremely happy with my choice to go through Family Source Consultants. All the women I’ve met along this process from intake and beyond were great at what they do. Having the agency behind me also gave me the confidence that I needed to take this leap and get matched with the best people.”

Q: What led you to become a Surrogate?

I can empathize with the people out there who have a calling to be a parent but can’t. I always knew I wanted children growing up. So, if for some reason I had been unable to, it would’ve been devastating. Imagining having to live life without kids made me feel a pull towards surrogacy to help those people. When I started looking more seriously into becoming a surrogate and realizing that not every woman meets the qualifications, I felt even more compelled to do it simply because I did meet the requirements and could.

Q. Who was your greatest support person throughout your journey?

My mom, hands-down. I am a single mom and knew I wouldn’t have the same support that women typically get from a spouse during pregnancy. She sacrificed so much of her own time to help me with my kids. I couldn’t have done it without her blessing.

Q. What made you decide to choose your Intended Parents?

They truly fit as the perfect example of who I wanted to do this for. I had hoped for a heterosexual couple so that I could give this gift to another woman to be a mother. They also lived close which eliminated the need for travel. But, what really set them apart was our shared love of Disney things and the fact that the intended mother also crochets like me.

Q. What are some of the highlights of your journey?

Our journey took place amidst the pandemic. There weren’t as many opportunities for us to get together as I had expected, but being physically near each other at points through the pregnancy was important to me. I wanted to know the parents were getting a chance to feel connected to their baby that I was growing.

Going out to eat together when able, scheduling an ultrasound that both parents were allowed to attend, and just our weekly communications really made me feel closer to them and that much more sure that I couldn’t have chosen more wonderful people to take this journey with.

Q. Do you have advice for women who are interested in becoming a gestational surrogate?

I have yet to meet a surrogate who regrets their choice to do so. I often compare surrogacy to tattoos. People who do it once often start planning the next one soon after! It should be understood that we call it a journey for a reason. It is long, sometimes difficult, and very individualized to each family. Just remember that good things take time, so don’t go into it with any set expectations. Science only gets us so far, so you have to be strong and willing to keep going even if you don’t have the easiest road.

Q. What did you find was the biggest misconception people had about surrogacy?

People have a hard time understanding how the baby is not mine genetically. I find myself explaining how IVF works very often. But, I don’t mind too much and am glad to clear up the confusion, especially in cases where someone is assuming that surrogacy means you are sleeping with someone to carry their baby! (Yes, people ask us that!)

Q. What would you tell someone who was considering working with a surrogate?

If I were in your shoes I might be very skeptical of the type of person who wants to have a baby for someone else. You might wonder if these women are doing this solely for money or because they have some freakish desire to constantly be pregnant. While there are different things that each of us consider before we carry for someone, I can promise you this: We are just as vested in this journey as the parents are. We have the same end goal of seeing that baby in your arms and are so excited to see the positive pregnancy test and reach each pregnancy milestone. There is a great sense of pride and accomplishment knowing that we played a role in making a family feel complete and that is always the number one motivating factor to being a surrogate.

Learn more about becoming a surrogate by submitting a request for information, or start your surrogate application today!