Being a surrogate is an exceptionally powerful act of kindness and commitment. You’re helping someone bring a child into the world. And that’s nothing short of incredible!
Along with all the positives, surrogacy is quite an undertaking. Even if you enjoyed your previous pregnancies, it’s a bit different when you’re carrying someone else’s baby. It can even seem a little overwhelming at times. That’s why support during your surrogacy journey is so important.
As a surrogate with Family Source Consultants, you’ll have the advice of experienced professionals from the very first day you apply. Our team will be there to guide you through every step of the journey and provide all the assistance and comfort you need. We’ll also be on hand to answer any questions you have at any time.
However, there’s nothing quite like the support of someone who’s going through the same journey as you! That’s why FSC offers a range of surrogacy support group options.
Surrogacy support groups allow you to connect and share with other surrogates. You can participate in person or online, whatever suits your needs and schedule.
Why do I need to join a surrogacy support group?
On the surface, surrogacy sounds fairly straightforward. You’re pregnant for nine or ten months, you give birth, and the job’s done. Right?
It’s actually a bit more complicated than that. Many surrogates love their journey, but even the most experienced surrogates need support from time to time.
To start, the screening process for becoming a surrogate is very thorough. You will need to complete medical tests and examinations, as well as pay close attention to your personal health and lifestyle. This alone can be a little stressful.
Let’s not forget that being pregnant has its own ups and downs! On top of the wild hormones and crazy mood swings, you’ll be acutely aware that you’re carrying someone else’s child for 40 weeks. There will be times when you feel a little emotional or stressed. And that’s why you should be able to connect with a support network when you need to.
You might think that you can do just fine on your own and that “support” is only for people who need extra help or counseling. But all surrogates need understanding and fellowship, regardless of whether it’s their first journey or their 4th.
Support is just as important after your journey ends as it is throughout the pregnancy itself. As is the chance with any pregnancy, sometimes things don’t go as planned. For friends and family, it can be hard to know what to say, but reaching out to those who have been in your situation can provide a unique comfort that few others could offer.
Surrogacy support groups are there to make your journey easier and emotionally healthier. Checking in with others on the same path will help you feel connected and encouraged. You’ll be able to share your thoughts, fears, joys, and “down” days. You’ll not only learn more about the process (especially from women who have been there before), but you’ll have a dedicated support system with knowledge and experience that your family and friends can’t always offer.
Family Source Consultants support group options
At Family Source Consultants, all surrogates must have a stable home life and the full support of a partner, close family member, or friend throughout their journey. But having fellow surro-sisters to lean on for support can be just as important.
FSC provides a range of very active surrogacy support groups in which surrogates from all over the U.S. can share the stages of their journey.
Our group options include:
In-person support groups
Our surrogacy support groups meet once a month. You’ll get a chance to introduce yourself, share your own surrogacy story, talk about how you’re feeling, and meet other women who are on similar journeys. Sharing face-to-face like this helps create a sense of community, and many surrogates become lifelong friends!
Virtual support groups online
It’s not always possible to attend meetings in person, and we understand that. That’s why our virtual support groups are the next best thing to face-to-face groups. You can share your journey from the comfort of your own home via video conference! These support groups are held by experienced surrogate team members, who have been through the process themselves.
Facebook support group
Facebook is great for keeping in the loop. Over 200 women participate in our surrogacy support group, sharing their thoughts and receiving support from one another.
One-on-one support with our surrogate support manager
Denise Conner is our Surrogate Support Group manager, and she’s on hand to provide ongoing support at all times. You can get in touch with Denise via emails, texts, and phone calls. She is in touch one-on-one and meets with FSC surrogates in person and online to offer support and advice or just lend an ear.
Our experienced staff are there for you
One of the best things about Family Source Consultants is that many of our staff members are also former surrogates themselves! They know exactly what you’re going through and can share their firsthand experience. That’s the sort of thing that really helps when you’re in need of advice and a caring voice. We know – we’ve been there!
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.
