“I scoured the internet for information and ended up joining some
surrogacy communities on social media. These groups were so
helpful and inspiring. They provided so much knowledge, guidance
and support throughout the whole experience,” Rhiannon said.
It was then that Rhiannon decided that surrogacy was likely to be the
best option for her and Chris if they were ever to have a family.
Unfortunately, the process of surrogacy in Australia is not entirely
clear; there is no formal process like adoption, leaving would-be
parents to their own devices and scrambling to piece together what
they can about how to start the journey.
The biggest question being – how do you find a surrogate? Who
do you ask to carry the most precious package in the world? Who do
you trust with that responsibility?
“It had to be someone who I would trust with my life and when you
really start thinking about it, there aren’t a lot of people you could
truly put that amount of faith in,” Rhiannon said.
Originally Rhiannon’s best friend had offered to carry, but a sad
turn of events meant that Rhiannon’s best friend had to undergo a
hysterectomy and so couldn’t go through with it.
Leaving Rhiannon and Chris back at square one and unsure what
step to take next.
It was a fly away comment at a family BBQ that bought Samantha,
Rhiannon’s half-sister, into the picture.
“It was just an off the cuff thing. We were all talking about it and
my mum just said - Samantha will do it! And I said yeah, I would do
it. It all didn’t sink in too much at the time, but the concept actually
stuck for Rhiannon and myself,” Samantha said.
A few weeks had past before Rhiannon finally got up enough
courage to ask Samantha if being her surrogate would be something
she would seriously consider.
“I actually sent her an email. I was too afraid to ask face to face, in
case she said no,” Rhiannon said.
Rhiannon couldn’t believe it when Samantha replied yes!
“My partner and I already have a beautiful family – Max (8), Noah
(4) and Lilah (3) and weren’t planning to have any more. I had fallen
pregnant easily and my pregnancies were trouble free, so it made
sense. We know first-hand the absolute joy and love children bring
into your life and thought it would be amazing to be able to do that
for someone else. Especially your sister,” Samantha said.
From there Rhiannon and Samantha had to piece together a long
process of research, counselling, legal agreements and doctor’s
appointments, even before Samantha was pregnant.
During a Surrogacy Australia conference in Sydney they were
recommended a fertility specialist in Brisbane who had experience
with surrogacy situations and who was able to walk them step by
step through the fertility and physical health aspect of the surrogacy
journey.
Samantha would have to undergo a full round of IVF including
courses of progesterone and oestrogen to prepare her body for the
implantation of the embryo.
The day of the transfer was full of anticipation; only one of the
two embryo’s had survived the thaw so this was the first and last
opportunity for Samantha to become pregnant and for Rhiannon and
Chris to realise their dream of becoming parents.
“I felt a bit of pressure on the day, and in the following days for the
pregnancy to take. It was the longest ten days ever from implantation
to the blood test to confirm pregnancy,” Samantha said.
60 | Pindara Magazine ISSUE 13 | 2018