Dear Surrogate: Tips on Preparing Your Mind and Body for A Surrogacy Journey

Welcome to our Dear Surrogate Blog Series. This series of blogs are dedicated to the special ones that feel a calling to carry a child for another. We thank you for your dedication and for making dreams come true. 

Dear Surrogate, 

How can you prepare your mind and body for this beautiful new journey?

Surrogates are special humans, but they do not make up a sizable percentage of women in the world. So how can we help support these special humans? Your friendly surrogate sister is here to help!

Most surrogates only know the basics when they begin, like estimated time, compensation, qualifications, and the fact that an agency will walk alongside them throughout the journey. But that is just a small fraction of what their story will be. A surrogate’s heart is in the right place, and often they feel like they’re being called to help others.

Like most things in life,  surrogacy is something you must walk through to really gain an understanding of the process.

A good agency will do their best to explain the process and break it down into steps for a new surrogate, but ultimately there are still things a surrogate has to experience first hand. 

One way to help a new surrogate is to encourage them to alleviate stress. 

Some ways to alleviate stress include taking walks, meditating, doing light exercises a few times a day or several times a week. Taking a break during the day to take a walk or exercising throughout the day is immensely helpful to overall mental and physical health. Meditation and mindfulness practices can help keep the mind calm. A lot of people practice mindfulness while immersed in nature; focusing in the present, the surroundings, and all of the sensory information associated. Yoga is another way to help the body and mind.

Another way to help your mind and body is to eat nutrient rich foods and whole foods.

Consuming four to five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Drinking lots of  water throughout the day. Nutrient rich food will not only help your body, but of course nourish the beautiful baby you are carrying. Being mindful not to over eat is also important. Overeating can cause discomfort, weight gain, heartburn, slow digestion, and sleep problems, which can increase your stress levels. 

The most important stress reliever is community, friendship, and support. Connecting with other surrogates and being a part of a support group during your journey is helpful. 

Taking a companion with you when you travel or for appointments is extremely important. I remember getting sick after one of my procedures and needing to stay an extra day, I am still so grateful to my dear friend Ayla who stayed in a hotel bed beside mine. She continued to check on me and get me anything that I needed. She was there to talk and to listen. She brought a unique perspective to the journey.

There are moments during your surrogate journey that you will need a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, or a trusted friend to administer a shot. Having a support system is vital. 

Relying on strangers on social media to be that support system is not realistic for many reasons and can add unnecessary stress to your journey. So, navigate social media with caution and a time limit (as my life coach would say). Having a friend, a sister surrogate, or a family member you can trust will help to reduce your stress, give you perspective, and comfort you if you’re feeling uneasy.

If you’re interested in becoming a surrogate or learning more about the process, please reach out! We need more special humans like you in the world <3

Stay tuned for our next blog in our Dear Surrogate Series.