Gift-giver

Profile of a Surrogate Mother

By Jessica Williams

The most common step after pairing up with intended parents is an extensive screening process. Without it, intended parents would have no way of knowing if the surrogate is in good health or mentally and emotionally prepared to release their child after delivery. "I had to have an updated physical, an updated pap and various other blood tests," says Kat. She also had a psychological screening. "Although these tests were time-consuming and highly personal, I knew that it was all for a good cause in the end."

Finally, about eight months after Kat and the intended parents first met, the special moment had arrived. The embryos were transferred into Kat's womb. "We were so very excited!" remembers Kat. Initially, there were eight embryos retrieved from the intended mother and frozen for the transfer. The specialists thawed five of them, but only three survived. Seeing these precious numbers dwindling, Kat and the intended parents decided to transfer all three embryos the morning of the big event. "The final decision on how many to transfer was up to me, and I felt comfortable enough transferring all three," says Kat. "I had spoken to my OB about carrying multiples, and he felt that if it did happen, I was healthy enough to carry them."

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• The Surrogacy Search: In Their Own Words
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