allison, American Intended Parent in Morrison, Colorado, USA

Explain your reasons for wanting a surrogate/donor:

My husband and I have been trying since my daughter turned 1. We tried multiple rounds of IUIs and 3 IVF transfers. Nothing has worked (I had one miscarriage two years ago before I tried IVF). That was excruciating. I have had multiple uterine surgeries to remove fibroids and scar tissue since my daughter was born and my doctor thinks that my uterus is too compromised to get pregnant and/ or carry a child. I also had a condition called HELLP syndrome when my daughter was born and in the rare chance I was able to get pregnant again the risk of developing HELLP syndrome again is fairly high. The infant mortality rate is anywhere between 10 to 60 percent with HELLP syndrome. (But the fact of the matter is I can't conceive). My doctor thinks that I have heathy eggs but that I need to find a surrogate in order to have another child.

How would you best describe yourself(s):

I am a very positive and upbeat person. Yet I am also very introspective. I am the Executive Director of a small nonprofit organization - and love nothing more than seeing people’s lives improve. I live in CO with my wonderful and supportive husband of 8 years and my 5 year old daughter who is the light of my life. I love the outdoors and when I am not working, I enjoy hiking, biking, and swimming in the summer and skiing in the winter. My favorite thing of all is spending time with my 5 year old daughter. I think my greatest strength is being a loving parent. I want nothing more than to be a mother to another child.

Use this space to communicate a letter to potential Surrogates/Donors:

I want to have another child more than anything in the world. My daughter has been begging me for a sibling since she could talk. When we go to the store she wants to buy bottles, pacifiers and clothes for a baby sister or brother - but preferably a sister)! When I tell her that mommy and daddy are trying to have another child she says ‘try harder.’ I am constantly reminded that the thing that I want the most - I can’t have. It makes it worse that I feel like I keep letting my daughter down and that breaks my heart. She is the most loving, kind, positive, funny, fun loving, charismatic, present and mindful child. I want to give her the chance to be a big sister because it’s what she wants more than anything- but despite all my efforts over the past 4 and a half years, I can’t. The fact that you are considering being a surrogate says volumes about your character. I know what I am asking is a lot. But I hope you will consider being the person that makes our dreams a reality. I would love to find someone that just fits with our family. I have heard many people say that their surrogate becomes like a soul sister. I would love that - but I would also support your decision to not be involved. The only thing that matters is that you eat healthy, be relatively active, be positive, take care of yourself and the incredibly precious cargo you would be carrying.