| Deciding to be a birthing surrogate for someone else | | | | earned will make life a little better for you and them. |
| is a major and very personal decision; it will require | | | | Be honest and tell them why you will be carrying |
| that you undergo a psychological evaluation and | | | | someone elses baby. |
| consider other important family members. Even | | | | 3. Let them ask questions. |
| though you have passed the hurdle of your | | | | No matter how old they are, your kids are going to |
| psychological assessment and have made an | | | | ask questions. Not just your reasons, but how the |
| informed decision, you will still need to be very | | | | process works, what will happen to your body and |
| careful in how you explain things to your kids. | | | | what will happen when you have to give the baby |
| Celebrities, magazines, the media and religions have | | | | away. Make sure they know that there is a small |
| perpetuated certain ideals about morals, ethics and | | | | chance of medical complications, but that with your |
| pregnancy. The last thing you want to do is add to | | | | expert physician, everything is very likely to go well. |
| any distorted or dysfunctional notions your kids may | | | | Explain the biological process and the steps involved |
| have. So, how do you have someone elses baby and | | | | in embryonic implantation. Your kids may be |
| make sure that your kids are not confused when | | | | concerned about your health and safety. Assure |
| you do not bring the baby home? Think about the | | | | them that you have researched the process of being |
| following before you decide to be a birthing | | | | a birthing surrogate and that you would not be doing |
| surrogate: | | | | it if it was not safe for you or the baby. |
| 1. Discussing it in detail with your kids may or may | | | | 4. Talk to them about their concerns about having a |
| not be necessary. | | | | brother or sister who will be given to someone else. |
| Obviously, if you have a toddler, you do not need to | | | | Even young kids are aware of the profound meaning |
| go into specifics about your surrogate pregnancy. | | | | of having a baby and will be confused when it goes |
| Just tell them that you are having a baby for | | | | to someone else. Have a conversation about why |
| someone who cannot have one on their own. | | | | some people are not able to carry a baby and the |
| How you approach the subject with teens, however, | | | | gift of life you are providing. Everything being equal, it |
| is trickier and is determined by their age and maturity. | | | | is probably best for your kids not to see the child |
| Be sure that they understand how the process | | | | once its born. Explain that this is really someone elses |
| works, the monetary and other benefits to you and | | | | baby, so it is best to give it to its loving parents |
| that this is both you and your husbands choice. | | | | quickly. |
| Also explain the good it does for those who cannot | | | | Emphasize the altruism and love involved in your |
| have babies on their own. | | | | ushering someone else's baby into the world. |
| 2. Be honest with them about your motivation. | | | | Communicating with your kids is the best way to |
| Maybe bringing a child in the world for someone else | | | | make sure that they are not confused or troubled. |
| gives your life meaning. Maybe the fee you will obtain | | | | Use this as a bonding and learning experience for you |
| will make life easier for you and your family. | | | | and them. See your pregnancy through their eyes |
| Whatever the reason, be clear to your kids that you | | | | and be sensitive to them. |
| are doing this to help another couple and the money | | | | |