In this episode, we talk with Nancy Weatherby, the Intended Parent Outreach Manager at Circle Surrogacy, about her personal and professional experience with family building through surrogacy. Nancy shares her story of being diagnosed at age 17 with MRKH syndrome, a rare birth defect that typically means a person is born with ovaries but without a uterus. She details the medical complexities of this condition, which for her included having only one kidney and facing significant hurdles during IVF. Despite these challenges, Nancy was encouraged by a forward-thinking doctor who "planted the seed" of hope by predicting that future advancements in IVF and surrogacy would one day allow her to become a parent.

Nancy’s path to parenthood involved two different surrogacy journeys that highlight the different ways to navigate the process. Her first child was born through an independent match after an initial agency experience proved to be a poor fit; however, Nancy notes that managing the legal, financial, and insurance aspects herself was like a "part-time job.” For her "sibling journey," she turned to her sister-in-law, who offered to be their surrogate after their previous gestational carrier was unable to move forward due to a medical complication. These experiences eventually led Nancy to a 22-year career at Circle Surrogacy, where she now uses her personal background to educate and advocate for intended parents. She strongly recommends working with an agency to ensure legal security and to allow parents to focus on building a bond with their surrogate rather than managing logistical "moving parts."

The conversation also provides valuable advice for those struggling with fertility, emphasizing the importance of thorough research and peer support. Nancy discusses the "grieving process" of realizing one cannot carry a pregnancy and suggests that connecting with a therapist or a support group can be vital for emotional health. She also highlights the success of normalizing birth stories with her now-adult children, who grew up knowing they were "special deliveries" made possible by the kindness of others. Ultimately, Nancy encourages intended parents to be open about their needs and to find a path that feels right for their specific family goals.

Are you looking for support as an intended parent? Get in touch with Nancy and Circle Surrogacy at [email protected] and learn more about AllPaths support group and resources for intended parents at https://allpathsfb.org/resource-library/surrogacy-resources/.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

Surrogacy, gestational carrier, Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome, congenital disorder, fertility treatment, IVF, intended parent, surrogacy agency, independent match, Circle Surrogacy, peer groups, therapy, mental health support, grief, talking about surrogacy with children, family building, surrogacy journey, MRKH syndrome, IVF success, parenting options, emotional support, surrogacy agency, adoption process, intended parents, surrogacy stories, peer support groups, surrogacy laws, family growth, navigating infertility, building a family, surrogacy resources, surrogacy benefits, support for intended parents, surrogacy misconceptions, journey to parenthood

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Want to share your story or ask a question? Get in touch at [email protected]!