From Arizona With Love: How Rebecca Became a Surrogate for International Parents

Carrying a baby for a complete stranger is an act of incredible courage and generosity. It’s also a wonderful way to interact with another family, another lifestyle – and perhaps even another culture.

If you’re reading this blog, it could be because you’re thinking about becoming a surrogate. Or, it could be because you know a thing or two about infertility. Sadly, not everyone can conceive naturally. It may be a biological cause, a medical condition, or just no apparent reason at all. Additionally, Family Source Consultants helps many same-sex couples build their families through surrogacy.

And then there are some people who have no trouble conceiving at all. They might also thoroughly enjoy being pregnant.

Rebecca was one of these people.

With three healthy children, Rebecca and her husband felt their family was complete. But when Rebecca learned about other people who couldn’t create their own families, she wanted to help. “I’ve had family who has struggled with infertility, so that gave me the idea to help people through egg donation and surrogacy,” she says.

Rebecca signed up with Family Source Consultants and became an egg donor.

It wasn’t until her fifth and final donation that Rebecca opted for an open donation. A couple in China selected her, and it turned out to be a fantastic experience – on both sides.

“I now get to watch these children grow up and be raised in China. It’s really cool to see the culture and how happy they are as a family,” she says.

Rebecca and the couple met in person before the donation. They connected instantly, and the couple even sent her flowers on the day of the egg retrieval. Communication was no problem, despite neither side speaking the same language. They regularly chatted through WeChat and are now friends on Facebook.

Incredibly, the couple had a second child with a surrogate at almost the same time – which means they now have two children born three months apart. The greatest part is that they almost look like twins!

The experience was so positive that Rebecca decided to try international surrogacy. She created a profile through Family Source Consultants and soon met her first international couple from northern Spain. The couple was desperate for a child, having exhausted every other option. After connecting with Rebecca, a successful transfer went ahead, and their little boy was born in November 2016.

Although the couple spoke no English and Rebecca spoke only a few words of Spanish, they were able to communicate effectively via email using Google translate. “The language barrier was no trouble at all. They were the sweetest couple – so grateful and so loving. It was just so great to give them a little boy to love,” she says.

Rebecca also found it fascinating to be so intimately involved with another way of life. “It’s just amazing to see the culture in Spain and watch him growing up,” says Rebecca. “He just celebrated his fourth birthday – it’s crazy to think the time is just flying!”

Although she thoroughly enjoyed the experience, Rebecca initially thought her surrogacy experience would be her “one and done.” But by August 2018, her “pregnancy itch” had returned. She decided to reactivate her profile with FSC and soon met a wonderful couple from France.

Right from the start, it seemed like a match that was meant to be. The couple was from Lyon – which is also Rebecca’s surname. In fact, it was what drew them to her profile.

The embryo transfer took place in June 2019, and Rebecca delivered another little boy in February 2020.

Once again, her surrogacy journey turned out to be an exciting glimpse into another part of the world – despite not speaking a word of French. Having experienced China and Spain already, France was another adventure into the unknown. But for Rebecca, that’s all part of the fun. “I love the cultures,” Rebecca says. “I love learning about other countries and their favorite foods and all that sort of stuff.”

By a stroke of luck, her French surrogate baby (another boy!) arrived just before the COVID-19 pandemic closed down international routes. The timing turned out to be just right: his new parents were able to bring him home to France just one week before lockdown.

Today, Rebecca is happily at home with her family in Arizona. She has three ‘international families’ that she is closely connected to, and she couldn’t speak more highly of her experiences.

Although she has plenty of positive things to say about her surrogacy journeys – especially the cultural aspects – Rebecca says the most important part is meeting the right couple. “My favorite part of all my journeys was the matching. It really is important to know you have a connection with those people.”

If you’re thinking about becoming a surrogate yourself, you’ve come to the right place! Family Source Consultants specialize in both domestic and international surrogacy and egg donation. We’d love to answer your questions or help you apply to become a surrogate.