Q&A

I was completely overwhelmed by the support I received yesterday. To think I would have missed out on such AMAZING support if I wasn't brave enough to share. Many of you messaged me personally expressing your sweet, supportive feelings. Some even called with wide open arms. Tears. Laughs. Hugs. I am so overwhelmed and excited to share this journey with you all!

Over the last 6 months have been asked a few of same questions and I hope I can answer them for anyone else curious too:

6 Most Frequently Asked Questions: 

Q: What is the difference between Traditional and Gestational Surrogacy?

A: This is a great question and NWSC answers it perfectly. 

"In a gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is not genetically related to the baby she carries. A fertility clinic creates embryos consisting of eggs and sperm from the intended parents and/or from donors and then transfers the embryos to a surrogate via IVF (in vitro fertilization). The intended parents usually establish parental rights before the baby is born. NWSC works exclusively on gestational surrogacy.In a traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s own eggs are fertilized via artificial insemination with the sperm of a donor or an intended father. The baby shares genetic material with the surrogate mother as well as with an intended father or donor." --NWSC

I will be a Gestational Surrogate where the embyro is genetically both the Intended parents.

Q: What are your religious beliefs view on surrogacy?

A: Yes, I am Mormon and in the church handbook it states that surrogacy is discouraged. With that said, many things are strongly discouraged in the church and should always be prayerfully considered between husband and wife. Just because it says is it is discouraged doesn't mean it is wrong. I took many months pondering and praying on this, always left with the feeling that it is the right path for my family. No denying that. I researched more into Gestational Surrogacy and the church views on it. What I found was just more clarity and confirmation that what I am doing is OK and right for my family. Like I said in my previous post that my list of the Intended Family match was long, always keeping my religious views in mind. It has been a very spiritual experience for the very beginning and only strengthened my testimony of the love my Savior has for me personally and his children.

Q: Will it be hard to give up the baby?

A: No. The way I look at it is I am not "giving up" a baby. I am simply delivery this precious baby to its rightful parents. Genetically and legally this baby does NOT belong to me. I will provide nourishment and give life that in other ways wouldn't be possible. What an honor and blessing to be able to be entrusted with this opportunity. 

Q: Why not just adopt?

A: Its personal. Surrogacy and Adoption should never be compared. One should never be said to be better than another. Adoption and Surrogacy are two different paths and everyone knows for themselves which is right for their family. 

Q: How does your husband feel about this process?

A: 110% Supportive. I don't know that I could do this without his support. We have a little joke between us - I can't really handle giving blood but I would carry a child for 9 months for a family. He can't do one, I can't do the other, so all in all we feel we give back as a family with each others support!

Q: Are you doing it for the money?

A: I try really hard to not be offended by this one. No, I am not doing it FOR the money. I am doing it for the life long experience and relationships. I have had a few personal experiences where I have felt like this is something I am just destined to do. Yes, in the state of Oregon, it is recognized to pay a surrogate for their "pain & suffering". Being a Surrogate is not easy and does require time and energy away from family and activites. We plan to save for a home of our own and travel more with our timeshare!

I hope this has helped answer some of your questions. 

Do you have More Questions?? I would love to hear them!

love,
Ashley Dawn