The Day I Held Their Hope

I still remember the silence after we signed the last paper.

It was the kind of quiet that follows a monumental decision—the medical tests were done, the contracts were filed, and suddenly, the dream of becoming a surrogate wasn’t just a thought anymore.

It was real.

It meant I was about to embark on a journey not just for myself. But for a family that had been waiting and praying for years.

The first month of preparation was the hardest part for me, and it wasn’t because of the early mornings or the appointments.

I still have a genuine phobia of needles.

Seeing them lined up on the counter made my stomach drop every single time. But I’d done this before for myself, and I knew I could do it again for them.

But there was more than that fear that kept me going. The thought of birthing a life. To help two human beings finally taste the joy of parenthood that I too had enjoyed myself thrice.

Every poke was a step closer to making their world whole. Getting those all-clear reports felt like small victories along the way.

My body was getting ready.

Then came the day of the embryo transfer!

My nerves were vibrating.

This was it—the main event.

I wanted this to work so badly. I looked over and saw my Intended Parents (I’ll call them the R and E) sitting with me in the waiting area.

Seeing their faces, that mix of hope, anxiety, and gratitude, touched me deeply. Three people holding our breaths.

The procedure itself was quick, almost anticlimactic.

I remember E's hands finding mine during the embryo transfer, squeezing tight as the doctor confirmed everything was done perfectly. That eye contact exchange spoke volumes:

Please, please let this be it.

The next stage was brutal though.

The Wait.

We had to wait 14 days for the official blood test to confirm the pregnancy, and honestly, that felt like an eternity.

My mind was racing, playing tricks on me.

Was I cramping?

Was that a good sign?

A bad sign?

I wanted to rush out and buy every home pregnancy test on the shelf, but the R and E and I had agreed to wait a week before even thinking about it.

They knew my anxiety and wanted to save me from the endless cycle of "is it or isn't it?"

On day eleven, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I woke up, my heart pounding in my chest, and quietly took a test.

I sat on the edge of the tub, unable to breathe.

I didn’t have to wait long.

The second line appeared!

That feeling was wild.

Tears blurred my vision—not tears of exhaustion, but of pure joy.

I wanted to scream it out. Immediately called the IPs.

Hearing them gasp, followed by the muffled, choked-up sobs of happiness over the phone, I felt my whole body feel light.

It was the most incredible feeling in the world. Something I can’t even express in words.

My IPs attended every ultrasound appointment with me or watched via video chat.

I’d hear their little cries of excitement when the nurse found the heartbeat, and their quiet laughter when they saw the tiny flicker on the screen. It was during one of these calls that my own son, bless his heart, decided to nickname the baby “Little Champ.”

That name is still stuck. Little Champ was growing strong.

But the pregnancy itself wasn't without challenges. I had a rough few weeks with severe morning sickness, landed in the emergency room a couple of times for dehydration.

When you're constantly throwing up, sometimes you lose perspective.

You would think, Why am I doing this?

But then, a message would buzz on my phone—a simple check-in from the R or E, a funny meme, or a note saying they were thinking of me—and it all came flooding back.

The compassion and my agency coordinator’s support was my shield.

It reminded me that every moment of discomfort was contributing to a miracle I couldn't keep but desperately wanted them to have.

My biggest fear when I first thought about surrogacy was the delivery.

How would I handle that moment? I knew what I wanted: for the baby to be placed straight into their parents’ arms.

We’re finalizing all the legal paperwork now. Every day that passes is a step closer to meeting this little soul. I’m truly enjoying these last few weeks of being pregnant, feeling his kicks, and knowing I’m bringing Little Champ into the world for the most loving, wonderful family.

There are truly no words to describe this feeling.

It is a profound, deep, quiet happiness.

I helped them actualize their biggest, most important dream. That is a gift that lasts a lifetime.

If you want to learn more about surrogacy, read here:

Surrogacy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrogacy

Surrogacy process guide: https://physicianssurrogacy.com/guide-to-become-a-surrogate/

What is Surrogacy: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23186-gestational-surrogacy

How dos surrogacy work?: https://todaysurvey.today/families/how-does-surrogacy-work-5-things-to-know%3C/a%3E

The miracle of surrogacy: https://todaysurvey.today/families/the-miracle-of-surrogacy%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cstyle data-emotion-css="1x3zcuc-StoryContent">.css-1x3zcuc-StoryContent{pointer-events:none;}