Michelle's Birth Story — Stronger Together Surrogacy

A Calm Arrival

This pregnancy was different from my previous ones in that I actually made it to my due date. With a scheduled cesarean, I woke up that morning, took a shower, and got ready for the big day. My bag was already packed, so I felt calm and excited. The entire process went smoothly, and both the hospital and my doctor were incredibly thorough in providing clear instructions on how to prepare for the delivery.

My cesarean was scheduled for 9 a.m. on October 3, 2024. The weather was perfect—clear and sunny, with a comfortable temperature, typical of an Arizona autumn. It didn’t impact my drive to the hospital at all; everything went smoothly.

A Wonderful Connection

My intended parents (IPs) are from Germany, so we stayed in close contact throughout the entire pregnancy, with weekly FaceTime calls during the final weeks. I kept them updated on how their baby was doing and shared my symptoms with them. They had planned to arrive in the U.S. two weeks before the scheduled delivery, which was reassuring for everyone, knowing they would be close in case of preterm labor. The day before the delivery, I called to confirm what time I’d be arriving at the hospital. On the morning of the delivery, I reached out again to make sure they could meet me before the procedure.

The hospital was amazing, providing a private suite for them and a nearby room for skin-to-skin contact right after the delivery. To say they were excited would be an understatement—they were overjoyed and filled with anticipation for the arrival of their sweet baby girl. Like me, they were also a bit nervous, but they were incredibly gracious and supportive throughout the entire process. I made sure to express how wonderful this whole experience had been.

Once I was hooked up to the monitoring, I started having consistent contractions, and the nurse joked that the baby was “ready to meet her parents.” It really felt like perfect timing and as though everything had fallen into place just as it was meant to.

Supported and Ready!

I decided to have my mother by my side for the delivery. The doctor and hospital provided exceptional care throughout my entire experience as a surrogate. They were thorough, attentive, and compassionate, ensuring I felt fully supported both during and after the delivery.

During the cesarean, I was excited and eager to meet the baby. I had mentally prepared myself for the process, so I focused on staying calm throughout the surgery, thinking of the intended parents before hearing the baby’s first cry, knowing it would be an emotional moment. My doctor asked if I had any playlist requests, and I chose reggae, as it’s the most soothing for me. While in triage, I experienced contractions about 7 minutes apart. They were strong but not unbearable, and I actually felt grateful to experience them, proud of my body for handling the pregnancy so well.

The birth plan went perfectly and even better than expected. This was my first time giving birth in Arizona, at a hospital I wasn’t familiar with. My surrogacy coordinator was incredibly helpful, guiding me through the process and offering recommendations for obstetricians and hospitals based on her own experience. I am so grateful for her insight, it truly made a difference. The entire experience, from the provider to the hospital staff, was wonderful, and I feel so appreciative of how everything came together.

Recovery

After the delivery, I felt an immediate sense of relief. This cesarean was a bit more challenging than previous ones. My bladder was positioned higher which caused more pressure during adjustments. However, once the baby was delivered, the remainder of the surgery went smoothly. I had an amazing nurse in recovery, and while I experienced some discomfort and shivering as the anesthesia wore off (which was expected), the staff was incredibly accommodating and took excellent care of me.

During their stay, the IPs visited and brought the baby for me to hold and meet. It was such a beautiful experience to bond with them in person and hear about their first night with their child. We were all equally tired, as the nurses came in frequently for vitals and monitoring. They expressed their deep gratitude for carrying their sweet baby, and I shared how thankful I was to be a part of their journey. Coming home from the hospital felt incredible—there’s truly no place like home. I was able to rest and focus on my recovery.

Postpartum

The first few days postpartum, I was definitely sore and experienced some pain near the incision. The pain meds, rest, and support from my family helped a lot. I did miss having a baby belly and feeling all the little wiggles, but the joy of seeing the new parents was absolutely worth it. The IPs and I continue to stay in touch, and they’ve sent pictures of their baby as she grows. Now, six weeks postpartum, I feel wonderful and fully healed. It was also a relief to be able to recover without the added stress of having a newborn at home.

Stronger Together Surrogacy

My overall experience with Stronger Together Surrogacy was truly a joy. As this was my first journey, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it far exceeded my expectations. The communication throughout the entire process was incredibly thorough, and the staff was wonderful, always addressing my questions and concerns with care. I can’t say enough good things about STS; they made this experience seamless and supportive every step of the way.

Dear Future Surrogate,

My advice to future surrogates is to enjoy every moment—it goes by so quickly. Embrace both the challenges and triumphs along the way, and be sure to give yourself grace. Take plenty of photos throughout the pregnancy and share them with your IPs. My IPs sent voice memos for me to play to their baby, helping her get familiar with their voices. It’s these small, meaningful moments that make the journey even more special.

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Michelle’s Birth Story