Experiencing Surrogacy: Perspective and Advice from a Surrogate’s and Intended Parent’s Pregnancy Journey Together

by Emily Dubin Field, Melissa Fleck

If you can make it through this book without feeling a shred of emotion or shedding a tear of sorrow or joy, then please check yourself for a pulse… EXPERIENCING SURROGACY is the true story of how a beautiful girl named Ava arrived in our world through a years-long collaboration of patience, determination, love, friendship, and professionalism between two couples, their families, and a host of professionals. The story is told, step by step, from the respective perspectives of the book’s Melissa, the gestational surrogate who carried and gave birth to Ava, and Emily, Ava’s intended parent and mother. In telling the story, the authors provide the reader with a unique look into and candid advice about every step in the surrogacy process from the two most important sides of the surrogacy experience. Surrogacy is a unique, beautiful, and challenging way to have a baby. Whether you are looking into surrogacy as an intended parent or surrogate, are a professional in a related field, or are simply curious about surrogacy and want to know more, the authors hope that through you reading about their experiences and hearing their advice, you will feel more informed about the surrogacy process. No matter your level of existing knowledge or reason for interest, if you choose to read this book, then you are guaranteed to learn something new about surrogacy. And you will be treated to a beautiful story, that is both fascinating and joyous, along the way. ABOUT THE EMILY DUBIN FIELD is a mom thanks to IVF and surrogacy. It was a long, hard, and emotional road for her to finally become a mom. She is very open about her fertility journey and feels that, when you go through something difficult in life, who better than you to do something about it for others? She has her MBA in nonprofit management and has dedicated her career to making a difference in the world. Emily and her husband Gregg started Field Fertility in 2016, which is a legal and consulting business working with intended parents, surrogates, egg donors, sperm donors, and embryo donors. Field Fertility is a member of the Society of Ethics of Egg Donation and Surrogacy, American Bar Association, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Resolve, Men Having Babies, and Family Equality and is a supporter of Feit 4 Kidz Fertility Fund by JFLA and Baby Quest Foundation. Emily may be contacted emily@fieldfertility.com and at www.fieldfertility.com. MELISSA FLECK currently spends her time as a mom to two very active kids, is a wife to a hardworking law enforcement officer, and is an active member of the surrogacy community. She has been working at the Center for Surrogate Parenting, Inc. since 2016, where she is a surrogate case manager. Having been a surrogate herself, she gets to pay it forward by interviewing and guiding potential surrogates on their surrogacy journey, working for the same agency that brought her and her intended parent and coauthor, Emily, together. Melissa also enjoys working out at her local boot camp-style gym, watching her kids play sports, attending Dodgers games, spending time with friends and extended family, and watching as many movies as she can.

136 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2019

Reviews

[Shereca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and very informative - A must read!!!

I loved getting both perspective on this subject. I am currently considering surrogacy after my more than 6 years infertility battle. There are no surrogacy agencies where I live and in fact I am searching for my own surrogate. This has given me so much to consider and be prepared for and helped me clarify the type of relationship that I would like to have. Ultimately my goal is to help others and so this is equipping me for my journey and possibly others ahead.

[Joseph Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Emily and Melissa are so open about their entire experience, and it's great to see each of their perspectives. Would definitely recommend to anyone considering using surrogacy or becoming a surrogate!

[Bekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives a good view of what may happen in a surrogacy arrangement. It is specific to the writers' experiences but it can be helpful. I find it may be best for readers who will become a surrogate or use a surrogate, and possibly their friends who want to know what it is all like.