On May 1, Kara Erickson gave birth to a healthy baby girl and then handed her over to Josep Antonio Castell贸 Ca帽adas, a man she香蕉视频直播檇 met only once before in Las Vegas.
In the fall of 2016, while at an industry trade show, Erickson, who co-owns Chilliwack香蕉视频直播檚 , had a chance encounter with Nathan Chan, the managing director of in Calgary. The two香蕉视频直播攚ho connected over their shared stillbirth and loss doula training香蕉视频直播攂egan talking about egg donation and surrogacy, which Chan香蕉视频直播檚 firm specializes in, and Erickson said she felt like she could be of help.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檇 always wanted to be a surrogate,香蕉视频直播� said 28-year-old Erickson in April, while rubbing her very pregnant belly. 香蕉视频直播淏ut I never pursued it香蕉视频直播攊t was more like if somebody I knew needed somebody to carry for them I could do it.香蕉视频直播�
But it wasn香蕉视频直播檛 until Chan planted the thought did she consider doing it for a stranger.
A single mother to two boys already, Erickson knew she enjoyed pregnancy and that, based on past experiences, she wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 develop any complications to worry about. 香蕉视频直播淚 knew I was a good candidate and a few months (after meeting Chan), I agreed that yes, I would love to become a surrogate.香蕉视频直播�
Because current Spanish laws prohibit any form of surrogacy within Spain, Josep Ca帽adas felt his only option to become a father was to seek an international surrogate.
香蕉视频直播淚n Spain, I香蕉视频直播檓 no couple, I香蕉视频直播檓 single, so not possible, the surrogate,香蕉视频直播� said Ca帽adas in broken English. 香蕉视频直播淚n Canada, it香蕉视频直播檚 possible for me.香蕉视频直播�
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In October 2016, after a quick Google search and a few clicks, Ca帽adas found himself in contact with Chan, who agreed his company could be of service to Ca帽adas, who香蕉视频直播檚 a single gay man. So after the exchange of some information, and agreeing to proceed, Ca帽adas received a copy of Erickson香蕉视频直播檚 surrogate profile, which he really liked.
Just before Christmas 2016, Erickson and Ca帽adas both flew to Las Vegas so they could meet and discuss the business of making a baby for Ca帽adas.
香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 a communication barrier,香蕉视频直播� explained Erickson. 香蕉视频直播淪o there was a lot of gesturing and Google Translate.香蕉视频直播� But that was enough. While discussing everything they wanted to achieve during the process, the two made a connection and Erickson agreed to be Ca帽adas香蕉视频直播檚 surrogate after speaking to her family about it.
And although Canada香蕉视频直播檚 surrogacy laws are more open than Spain香蕉视频直播檚, there are still many restrictions to overcome, such as the hurdle of being chosen香蕉视频直播攅ven in Canada, many surrogate agencies choose to only work with married couples香蕉视频直播攁nd the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, which permits surrogacy only if it香蕉视频直播檚 altruistic.
Any compensation or reimbursement for surrogates outside of approved expenses directly related to the pregnancy is illegal. Which means although Erickson was paid for things like travel expenses, wage loss, and medical necessities, the use of her body for the development of another person香蕉视频直播檚 child was totally free of charge: she did it simply because she could and it was a nice thing to do.
After their December 1016 visit in Las Vegas, Erickson began the process of getting ready to become a surrogate, which included all sorts of medical testing, losing 40 pounds, and taking medications that send most women on an unexpected hormonal rollercoaster.
But on August 16, 2017, it was all worth it when Erickson travelled back to Vegas and the five-day embryo that was transferred into her uterus and implanted.
Traditional surrogacy typically involves the surrogate香蕉视频直播檚 egg being fertilized either by intrauterine insemination or in vetro fertilization, but in this case, Erickson had no biological connection to her surrogacy: the baby was conceived through the use of an egg donor and Ca帽adas香蕉视频直播檚 sperm.
香蕉视频直播淭his pregnancy was different (than my others),香蕉视频直播� said Erickson. 香蕉视频直播淭he conversations I香蕉视频直播檇 have with her were different than what I had while pregnant (with my sons).香蕉视频直播� Instead of talking to her belly about wanting to meet or about dreams for the future, Erickson said she香蕉视频直播檇 say things like, 香蕉视频直播淵our daddy is so excited to meet you!香蕉视频直播�
This pregnancy was also different in that she was contractually bound to abide by the wishes of Ca帽adas. For example, while she had no intention of drinking or smoking during the pregnancy, she could have faced legal consequences had she done so.
Nevertheless, Erickson香蕉视频直播檚 pregnancy continued without a hitch and was a success, and after labouring for 40 hours, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl: Cloe Castell贸 Ca帽adas.
香蕉视频直播淚t was my day that I香蕉视频直播檓 more happy than in my life,香蕉视频直播� said Ca帽adas. 香蕉视频直播淚t was my best day.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淚t was an incredibly rewarding experience,香蕉视频直播� Erickson added, said smiling at Cloe. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 just happy it all worked out.香蕉视频直播�
And although Ca帽adas will be returning to Spain with Cloe at the end of May, this isn香蕉视频直播檛 the end for he and Erickson, as the two have made a lasting connection and plan on keeping in contact.
香蕉视频直播淛osep wants Cloe to know her birth story,香蕉视频直播� said Erickson. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e family now. I feel like she香蕉视频直播檚 my niece and we香蕉视频直播檒l always have that.香蕉视频直播�
Sarah.Gawdin@theprogress.com
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