Meet Nikki!
“I had an amazing journey but I always knew the [FSC Support] group was there if needed. I learned so much by other’s experiences.”
Q: What led you to become a Surrogate?
It was always something I found interesting. After having my own children, life got busy and I kinda forgot about it. I was actually buying a t-ball helmet off a friend who was a surrogate for FSC. She spoke so highly of her experiences with FSC and her IP matches, I was all in!
Q. Who was your greatest support person throughout your journey?
My husband supported me 100%. But I also have a close friend who was a big part of my support.
Q. What made you decide to choose your Intended Parents?
Something about their profile drew me in and the fact that they did not have any children yet. After zoom meeting them, it just felt right.
Q. What are some of the highlights of your journey?
We had so many ultrasounds. The baby had a marginal insertion of the placenta. What I thought was going to be an issue, actually gave me so much quality time with my IPs and we got to see the baby continue to thrive scan after scan.
Q. Do you have advice for women who are interested in becoming a gestational surrogate?
Lean on the support group! I had an amazing journey but I always knew the group was there if needed. I learned so much from others’ experiences. Also, be ready for so many shots!
Q. Do you have advice for women who are interested in becoming a gestational surrogate?
Take the chance to help someone have a family. It’ll be the best choice you make. It’s such a special experience. It can be a long process at first, but once it starts it is very amazing.
Q. What did you find was the biggest misconception people had about surrogacy?
A donor egg is used when being a gestational surrogate. And it is such a process before you even get to the transfer. There is so much behind the scenes that has to take place first.
Q. How was this pregnancy different from your other pregnancies?
This little guy was sunny side up. We were induced and he took his sweet time. All day long! But once he was finally in place, everything was all I could have imagined. Bringing my children into this world was wonderful but this is a whole different feeling.
Q. What did you do to prepare yourself for separating from the baby after it was born?
I had to answer this question many times to friends. I just knew in my head and heart that this was the plan. I also did not nurse him and I was not the first to hold him. The IPs agreed to stay in my room for the first hour so I could witness their first moments and their skin-to-skin bonding. I became such friends with the IPs that this was not weird at all and such a special moment.
Q. What would you tell someone who was considering working with a surrogate?
Trust your surrogate. Be open about any feelings you may be having. And have fun!
Learn more about becoming a surrogate by submitting a request for information, or start your surrogate application today!
Staci Swiderski, CEO and owner of Family Source Consultants has been involved in the field of reproductive medicine since 2002. Staci has vigorously grown the comprehensive egg donation and gestational surrogacy agency to become a worldwide leader in the third-party reproduction field. Staci is a former intended parent herself. She and her husband welcomed their son via gestational surrogacy in 2005. Additionally, Staci had the experience of assisting an infertile couple (AKA Recipient Parents) build their family through her efforts as an egg donor, with her donation resulting in the births of their son and daughter.
