Our Surrogate Family

Michelle - Being a Surrogate Mother fulfilled me in a way that is hard to put into words. Shelley matched me with the most amazing two people and we bonded instantly. I had waited a long time to make the decision to move forward with becoming a surrogate and I wanted to make the most of it. I shared tears with them when we found out we were pregnant, the first time we got to see him through the ultrasound, the times we got to spend with each other throughout the pregnancy and of course the day we finally got to meet him. It has truly been one of the most amazing experiences of my life and continues to be. I get to see him grow and watch two people do what so many of us take for granted. Being a surrogate has changed my couple's life but it has also changed me as well. I have accomplished many things in my life but I have never felt such an intense sense of pride as I did helping them create their family. I am so grateful to have been part of this journey with my parents, Shelley and Shelley's team. My experience of being a surrogate mother exceeded all my expectations and continues to do so.

Amber - Making the decision to become a Surrogate Mother was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. With help from Shelley and her staff, I was matched with two of the most deserving people I have ever met. We quickly became like a family. After delivering their precious baby boy, I looked over and saw the joy and love that were on the faces of the intended parents and knew that my family helped to do that. Now two families have become one. I would do anything for them.

Shelley and her staff are amazing. They were by my side throughout the process, during the highs and the lows. I never had to go through a single thing without them holding my hand. Even though this pregnancy was a rough one medically, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. The feeling after blessing someone with a gift they could not have received without you is just beyond words. Throughout my entire pregnancy I was asked several times how I felt about giving up this baby, and my response every single time was, "I am not giving up this child I am just giving it back." Thank you, Shelley, and your entire staff for making this process such a rewarding and amazing journey. Thank you for this phenomenal experience.

Sunny - This has been an amazing experience, to say the least. I am so grateful to Shelley and her staff, and for all that they have done for me, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Shelley has such a keen sense of what someone needs or wants, and she quickly fulfills any desire before it is even mentioned. I couldn't imagine going through this process with anyone else.

Shelley brought such a sense of contentment to my family because we knew that she was always watching out for us. Shelley is truly gifted at what she does and is definitely fulfilling her calling in life. We count ourselves lucky to know her and to have her be a special part of our lives. I cannot thank her enough for her support, guidance, humor, and love these last several months.

With love,

Sunny

Amanda - I had known, in my heart, for a long while that I always wanted to be a surrogate.  When I made the special decision to explore the possibility of starting this journey, I went searching online for info.  I luckily had a friend that had already completed a journey so I wracked her brain with questions, too.  There are so many things to think about and I needed help to guide me.  I decided that working with an agency was the best choice for me.  I knew I wanted a personal experience and a supportive agency. My friend was very happy with The Surrogacy Program so I started looking there.  I never looked anywhere else. :)

Working with Shelley and her support team has been nothing short of amazing.  I was SUPPOSED to be there!  I have always felt and still do feel so supported, special, encouraged, and loved.  From the first introduction with Shelley, I knew that that was where I wanted to be. Her vision and experience walked hand in hand with what I had always wanted for my own journey.  She had this calming and beautiful way of explaining the whole process and was very forthcoming with all the details that I needed to know.  I was excited from day one!  Every conversation I had with her was special and I so looked forward to talking with her.  Her ultimate gift is being seriously amazing at the matching process.  I was matched with THE couple for me.  We have the most ideal and even surreal connection that I really can't begin to ever thank her enough for bringing them into my life.  I knew doing this amazing thing would be rewarding but I had no idea just how much I'd gain.  

Throughout the whole journey, I had a support team at my beck and call.  All the wonderful ladies at The Surrogacy Program!  Anything I needed, they took care of it.  Even things I didn't even know I needed, they were either sending them to me or setting them up without my needing to ask!  I never felt like I was figuring things out on my own and if I had ANY questions at all, they were answered by one of the team.  All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you.  This agency has some of the best, if not THE best people on board for this special line of work.   

Reading over what I've wrote really doesn't crack the surface of my whole special journey.  This whole experience has made me a better person and given me an appreciation for life and helping others.  I can honestly say that I had a difficult to ever top, journey.  It was perfect.  I gained a best friend (my IM), an addition to my family (her family) and I helped bring two beyond precious and perfect souls into the world where they were meant to be.  I'd say all is right in my world.  Thank you, Shelley and The Surrogacy Program.  Anyone that works with you should be so lucky.  

Tristyn - Hi Shelley. Thank you for such kind words. I must say it was a difficult journey, but a wonderful one to take with such amazing people. I thank you for making such a wonderful match. I am glad you were able to spend some time with them and the girls to see how beautiful a gift you've helped them create. You are a wonderful person, and what you get to do on a daily basis is absolutely precious.

Thank you for this phenomenal experience.

Kari - I had talked to my family and friends about possibly being a surrogate ever since I had my daughter in 2001. It wasn't until late 2009, that I felt comfortable enough to pursue it. After doing tons of research on the process and looking into many different agencies, I found The Surrogacy Program. I filled out my application late one night and received a call first thing the next morning. I couldn’t believe that they weren't being pushy or trying to rush me in any way as the other agencies did. They made sure I understood the process and wasn't uncomfortable in any way.

Not only did Shelley and her staff go out of their way to make me feel at ease, but my boyfriend as well. He was able to get in contact with some men who went through surrogacy with their girlfriends or wives in the past. It really showed us that this wasn't just a business. Shelley really takes pride in her work and loves what she does. With all her years of experience, she makes the entire process as smooth as possible. Everyone needs employees to make a company run efficiently and her staff helped tremendously, but Shelley always stayed involved and in touch every step of the way.

It has been the best choice and most rewarding experience of my life. I am now a second time surrogate after delivering a baby boy in April 2011 and then boy/girl twins in July of 2012. Words truly cannot express how thankful and honored I am by having this amazing opportunity to be a part of it all.

Stacey - My first thoughts about becoming a surrogate came from watching friends struggle with infertility. "It came so easy for me. Isn’t there something I can do to help them?” I thought to myself. When you search the internet, millions of sites pop up for surrogacy but one stood out to me: Shelley Smith’s and the warmth of her spirit came through from reading about her own personal struggles.

I emailed ‘The Egg Donor Program/The Surrogacy Program’ just to get some information but instead received a return phone call...Personal Touch?! I was amazed. I scheduled a face to face meeting, again, just to get more information. I started the qualification process, again, just to see if this was something I could do. I was very apprehensive about this huge, life altering, unknown journey. But, every step I took was guided with knowledge and wisdom, compassion and understanding, and just good ole’ fashion love.

Well, hopefully needless to say by now, I became a surrogate through Shelley’s program and had the most amazing adventure of my life (and I think that is saying something from me since I am an airline pilot who has traveled the world). The twins were born in 2001, and I just got their latest Christmas card picture. Words truly cannot describe the feelings I have when I look at their beautiful faces and knowing I helped to bring these precious souls into the world. As wonderful as the children are, I am even more grateful for the relationship I now have with their parents. These are lifelong friends who truly enrich mine and my own family’s life.

It was such an incredible experience that I chose to open myself to another remarkable family. Triplets! It was a totally different experience this second time, but again Shelley and her staff were there every step of the way; they are advocates for your health and well-being, so you can concentrate on giving these new lives the best possible start. The outcome was just as incredible as the first. We delivered three healthy babies (at 33 weeks) who only stayed at the hospital for 1 week and are now thriving like any other rambunctious 6 year olds!

I hope I have given a taste of what surrogacy is like. I also highly recommend this program to make this journey the most rewarding, gratifying and good to the soul it can be.

Sacora - I had the honor of being a surrogate to a beautiful baby girl and couple in Australia that I now refer to as family. From the moment we introduced ourselves over the phone I just had a gut feeling that this is who I was meant to share this amazing experience with, all thanks to Shelley and her wonderful staff for matching us so perfectly.

Our journey was definitely a very positive and loving experience for everyone involved. My children now have an Auntie, Uncle and baby cousin in a foreign country. When I made the decision to become a surrogate it was out of my personal passion to have children of my own and I could never imagine not having the option to do so. Once I knew one hundred percent that my family was complete I made it my personal mission to help complete another family, in doing so I have made an amazing amount of friends and new family members. This is an experience that I would NEVER change for anything in the world and feel so blessed that we are starting on a sibling for the same couple.

Love a very blessed Surrogate

Ame - I'm so sorry I haven't emailed you! We've been busy getting our lives back in order and enjoying the summer with the kiddos! I meant to thank you for the beautiful gift that you sent last week! Love it!

I am feeling great! I've had the easiest recovery. I even went out for a light jog yesterday and it felt so nice. The baby went home today!!! My intended parents were nice enough to invite us all to the hospital to see them off. They were beaming and are so happy to begin their lives with their precious girl. I'm so glad she is home...I feel like my mission is finally complete and it's such a great feeling!

I can't thank you enough for all of your help, love, and support! Carolyn and CJ are just great, too! :) Hope you're doing well!!!

Gracie - I have had the privilege of being chosen as a surrogate for wonderful people. Helping a couple achieve their dream of becoming parents is the most rewarding feeling. Shelley and her staff were right by my side through the entire process. I have made lifelong friends through Shelley's program, whom I will always cherish. Thank you to Shelley Smith and her amazing staff for taking care of me during this fulfilling journey.

Cristina - I had a wonderful pregnancy. I am currently still talking to the parents we have kept contact and it has been a pleasure working with Shelley, a wonderful person inside and out. I will never forget it has been the best decision in my life.

Nunca dudaria en hacerlo de nuevo porque es algo tan increible cuando los pequenitos me llaman y me dicen que me quieren y los padres tambien.

Shelley,
Gracias por apesas que a pasado el tiempo todavía me recuerda por quererme.
Gracias que Dio este
Con todos

Sara - Wow! Where to start... First a huge THANK YOU to Shelley. You were always by my side holding my hand and her beautiful staff, especially Carolyn, they are just amazing! This journey has been just... WOW! I have a hard time putting it all into words. There were so many ups and downs and bumps in the road but we all got through it together. Going into this almost everyone asked questions like "How can you do this? How do you just give up a baby? How will you feel afterwards?" At first it was kind of hard always being asked these questions, I didn't really know how to answer. My heart knew it was the right thing to do but my words couldn't express them for people to really understand. And of course the “How will you feel afterwards?” question was a great question to which I didn't have an answer. But I knew this was something I wanted to do no question about it.

My family and I are now a part of this beautiful, amazing, caring Family and we have Shelley to thank for it. I remember hearing other surrogates talk about just how amazing the experience was and being able to see the joy and happiness they were able to give there IP's and I wanted that. I wanted to be able to do that for someone. I was so happy that someone wanted me to carry there child, ME! What an honor and blessing it was. I know it had to been one of the hardest decisions for any couple to make. Shelley makes you feel special and like family from day one. It’s like a family going through trial and error together. She was always there whenever you had a question, concern, or just wanted to vent because you were having a bad day; or were just feeling pregnant and moody.

Everyone says I have given this family such a wonderful blessing and I will one day be blessed for it. I was already blessed by being able to be a part of such an amazing journey with wonderful compassionate and caring people. I have so many great memories from this experience but I will always remember the look of love and the tears of joy I saw in the room the day I delivered their beautiful 6lb baby boy. It’s something I will cherish forever, apart from giving birth to my own two children that is a day I will never forget.

I would do this again in a heartbeat. I feel so blessed beyond words to have been able to watch this couple become a beautiful family and to have become an "auntie" all because of this little miracle.

Thank you Shelley for all that you have done for me and my family. XOXO