She's Having My Baby: The Complicated Business of Surrogacy in America | ELLE

Summary

In this insightful video, Jessica Geisinger shares her surrogacy journey, exploring the excitement and emotional fulfillment of helping others start families. At 21 weeks pregnant as a surrogate, she reflects on her motivations, the normalization of surrogacy through celebrity influence, and the complexities of financial and legal considerations involved. Jessica highlights the rewarding connections formed with the intended parents and her own children, and discusses her positive feelings about the experience. She remains open to future surrogacy opportunities, emphasizing the transformative impact of this choice on all lives involved.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jessica Geisinger is a surrogate mother currently 21 weeks pregnant, sharing her journey and experiences.
• 🤔 Initially confused about surrogacy, Jessica became educated and comfortable with the process over time.
• 👶 Surrogacy is a rewarding experience for Jessica, allowing her to help others achieve their dream of parenthood.
• 🌟 The normalization of surrogacy, largely due to celebrities, has made the topic more acceptable and open for discussion.
• 💵 Compensation for surrogates varies widely, with national averages ranging from $30,000 to $60,000.
• ⚖️ The legal landscape around surrogacy in the U.S. is complex, often favoring intended parents over surrogates in contracts.
• 👧 Jessica explains surrogacy to her daughter, preparing her for the changes ahead in their family dynamic.
• 🤱 Jessica felt a deep emotional connection during the delivery, highlighting the importance of the surrogate's role.
• 📸 She expresses openness to future communication with the intended parents after the baby is born, valuing the relationship they've built.
• 🔄 Jessica is enthusiastic about the prospect of being a surrogate again, indicating the fulfillment she finds in the experience.

Q & A

What motivated Jessica Geisinger to become a surrogate?

Jessica was motivated by her desire to have children and her experience of being unable to carry another child after her daughter was born. She felt that becoming a surrogate was a viable option for her.

How does Jessica describe the emotional experience of surrogacy?

Jessica describes surrogacy as a mix of pure excitement and complex emotions, emphasizing the rewarding aspect of helping others who cannot have children.

What challenges does Jessica mention regarding the surrogacy process?

She discusses the complexities of surrogacy contracts, which tend to favor the intended parents and not the surrogate, as well as the physical and emotional challenges of carrying a pregnancy.

What is the average compensation for surrogates in the U.S.?

The national average compensation for surrogates ranges from about $30,000 to $60,000, but this amount can vary based on several factors such as location and whether the surrogate has experience.

How does Jessica feel about the societal perception of surrogacy?

She notes that surrogacy is becoming more normalized and less taboo, with increased public conversations about it, especially in the context of celebrity surrogacy.

What preparation did Jessica do for her daughter regarding the surrogacy?

Jessica bought books for her daughter to help explain the changes in their lives due to surrogacy, aiming to prepare her for the new baby and the dynamics it would bring.

What was Jessica's experience during the delivery?

Jessica was present for the delivery and felt a strong immediate connection when she saw the baby and witnessed the moment of birth.

How does Jessica feel about her relationship with the baby's intended parents?

Jessica expresses that she has had a wonderful relationship with the intended parents and hopes for ongoing communication, although she does not expect constant contact.

What does Jessica think about potentially being a surrogate again?

She finds the experience to be very rewarding and is open to the idea of becoming a surrogate again, despite having just delivered.

How does Jessica approach the complexities of the surrogacy legal landscape?

Jessica highlights that the legal landscape around surrogacy is complicated and varies by state, with contracts heavily favoring those with financial means.