Callie Megel
What month and year was your surrogate baby born?
“March 14, 2018”
What originally inspired you to look into surrogacy?
"I wanted to give a gift so big to someone so deserving."
What was your favorite or most memorable moment during this whole process?
“When the intended parents cried when their children were born. This was the best and greatest feeling that my only reaction was to cry to with complete happiness.”
What was the most unexpected part of this process?
“To create a huge caring bond with my family as well as the intended parents’ family as well. My family was more support for me and the intended parents as well and that was so unexpected.”
How was the matching process?
"Easy! Was exciting, and nerve racking all at the same time."
How was the pregnancy and how involved were the intended parents during the pregnancy?
"Great at first, but I had went into preterm labor and that was shocking and I had to go on modified bed rest and that was hard with my two little ones."
How did you talk to other people about the process, like your friends and family? Even strangers?
"Sometimes we wouldn’t even say anything when strangers ask. We would just say how far along I was and move on. Other times we would talk with strangers about it and it was great. My family and friends all found out and had lots of questions. We just answered all of them honestly."
How did you talk to your kids about surrogacy before, during, and after the birth?
"I talked to them before the surrogacy and made sure that they were on board and ok with the whole process. They understood completely. They have a great relationship with the babies and the parents."
How was your delivery and post-pregnancy?
"Awesome! Everything went great! Labor went smooth. I was able to see the babies and hold them as much as I wanted. I never felt like I gave them up at all."
What were your feelings when you saw the intended parent(s) hold their baby for the first time?
"Was amazing! Happy tears came! Even when I see them now I’m still very happy for them. All the struggles we had and tears I had through the journey… to see them with their babies made it worth it."
What was one thing you wished you would have had in your hospital bag that you forgot?
"Lip gloss! Makeup! Because you still take lots of pics."
What did your kid(s) and/or partner say when they met the baby?
"They are so cute! Very happy and in love."
What is your relationship and contact with the intended parents now?
"Great. I receive pictures of the babies all the time. We meet up once a week for milk drop off and always end up talking too much."
What were some of the benefits of working with an agency?
"They are so helpful and will answer their phone anytime of day. They always got back to me ASAP and were very helpful. They always had very strong words of encouragement too.”
What words of wisdom would you share with other/newer gestational carriers?
"Take your time to enjoy it! Always remember… you are doing a great thing, and life will be so much better when those babies are here for your family and theirs."
If you decided to be a gestational carrier again, what would be the reason?
"To help out more families to have children!"
Anything else you want to add about your experience?
"I couldn’t have done it without my agency!"