I clearly remember the day that brought about my surrogacy journey; I was eating lunch at work and my colleague came into the office and announced that she was going to be a surro-grandma.  I was quick to ask her questions about the process her daughter was going through and I decided to look up some information the next day.  I was concerned that I would not be fit to be a surrogate because I have hypertension and I was going to turn 38 later in the year.  However, after an introductory phone call with Zara, I found that I was a suitable candidate and I was very excited to begin the process.  My husband did require some convincing, but once we reminisced about the issues we had creating our own family, we decided together that this was a good thing we were doing to help another couple start their own family.  My husband and I tried to start a family for well over a year and thank goodness his insurance covered the majority of the cost for IVF because that is what finally worked for us.  We had our twins 8 years ago and they are amazing!  We wanted to be able to bring the same joy to another couple.
Once I was paired up with my IFs, the process seemed to go rather quickly.  It got very exciting when the meds arrived and I was anxious in the days following the July transfer.  Waiting to find out if you are pregnant, whether it is with your children or your surro-babies, is so hard!  I tested early, even though I was told not to and was very excited to see that second pink line.  What a relief to have a successful first transfer.  My pregnancy was enjoyable, just as it was the first time around, and I happily and healthily carried twin baby boys to 38 weeks
and 3 days.  During this time, I developed a friendly, close relationship with the IFs.  I look forward to hearing how the boys are doing in the future and seeing pictures as they grow up.   I understand now why women are repeat surrogates as this has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  I am so glad for that day, last January when my colleague made her announcement; otherwise I do not think I would have ever known that surrogacy exists.  Because of this, I tell lots of people about my experience so that I can hopefully inspire others to do the same.

Staci Swiderski, CEO and owner of Family Source Consultants, has been a prominent leader in reproductive medicine for over two decades. Through her strategic vision and dedication, she has developed Family Source Consultants into a globally recognized agency specializing in comprehensive egg donation and gestational surrogacy services. Under Staci’s leadership, the agency has become a trusted partner for intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors worldwide, known for its rigorous standards, compassionate support, and commitment to excellence in third-party reproduction.

Her professional insight is uniquely informed by her own family-building experiences. As an intended parent, Staci welcomed her son via gestational surrogacy in 2005, and as a known egg donor, she assisted an infertile couple in expanding their family. These experiences lend a rare depth to her leadership and have fueled her ongoing dedication to ethical, empathetic, and professional support within the field of reproductive medicine.