A compassionate guide through the emotional journey of surrogacy.

Surrogacy is an extraordinary path to parenthood — filled with joy, hope, uncertainty, and sometimes fear. For many intended parents, the journey begins after years of infertility, medical challenges, or loss. Even when surrogacy is the right decision, the emotional experience can feel overwhelming.

At Nest & Co, we provide ongoing emotional support to help you feel confident, informed, and connected from the very first consultation through birth and beyond.

You don’t need to navigate this alone.

The Emotional Reality of Surrogacy

Every family’s experience is unique, but most intended parents share similar feelings throughout the journey.

Before the journey begins

• Hope mixed with fear
  
• Relief after long fertility struggles
  
• Anxiety about choosing the right destination
  
• Feelings of loss (when carrying a pregnancy isn’t possible)
  

During matching

• Excitement to meet the surrogate
  
• Worry about compatibility
  
• Fear of being judged or rejected
  
• Concern about communication styles
  

During pregnancy

• Joy and anticipation
  
• Nervousness before each milestone scan
  
• Fear of complications
  
• Feeling “distant” from the pregnancy
  
• Guilt about not carrying the baby yourself (common among women and LGBTQ+ parents)
  

Approaching birth

• Overwhelm or fear
  
• Pressure to prepare everything perfectly
  
• Questions about bonding with the baby
  
• Handling travel and logistics
  

After the birth

• Immense joy
  
• Relief
  
• Fatigue
  
• Emotional adjustment to parenthood
  
• Post-birth stress while abroad for paperwork
  

Surrogacy is beautiful — but it’s normal for it to feel emotionally intense.

Why Intended Parents Need Emotional Support

Surrogacy involves unique emotional factors:

✔ You are deeply involved, but not physically carrying

Many intended parents worry they may feel disconnected from the pregnancy.

✔ There is a third person involved (the surrogate)

Navigating this relationship requires clarity, respect, and healthy boundaries.

✔ You’re dealing with infertility, loss, or identity transitions

Past trauma often resurfaces during the journey.

✔ International programs add extra stress

Travel, legal processes, and cultural differences can amplify emotions.

✔ Your biggest dream depends on complex logistics

Even small delays or uncertainties can feel overwhelming.

Support is not a luxury — it is an essential part of a healthy surrogacy experience.

How Nest & Co Supports Intended Parents Emotionally

1. Compassionate First Consultation

We begin by understanding:

• Your story
  
• Your fears
  
• Your hopes
  
• Your expectations
  
• Your concerns about surrogacy abroad
  

You are listened to — not rushed.

2. Clarity and Calm Through Every Decision

We provide:

• Clear explanations
  
• Transparent comparisons
  
• Honest answers
  
• Realistic timelines
  

Clarity reduces anxiety.
Confusion creates fear.
Our job is to remove confusion.

3. Emotional Check-Ins Throughout the Journey

You’ll have access to:

• Dedicated support
  
• Regular check-ins
  
• Space to talk through big emotions
  
• Guidance for difficult moments
  

We help you process the emotional side of:

• Waiting
  
• Pregnancy updates
  
• Unexpected news
  
• Travel stress
  
• Birth planning
  

4. Guidance on the Intended Parent–Surrogate Relationship

Many parents feel unsure about:

• How often to communicate
  
• What topics are appropriate
  
• How to build trust
  
• How to honour boundaries
  

We help you create a healthy relationship based on respect, kindness, and shared goals.

5. Support During Infertility, Loss, and Identity Concerns

For many intended parents, surrogacy is not the first step — it is the next step after:

• IVF failure
  
• Multiple miscarriages
  
• Traumatic birth experiences
  
• Medical diagnoses
  
• Coming out or transitioning
  
• Grieving the dream of carrying a pregnancy
  

We hold space for these experiences with empathy and expertise.

6. Birth & Post-Birth Emotional Support

The birth of your child can be overwhelming — especially in another country.

We support you with:

• Preparing emotionally for travel
  
• Navigating birth logistics
  
• Managing expectations around bonding
  
• Handling the intensity of meeting your baby
  
• Dealing with paperwork stress while abroad
  

Our goal is to make the transition to parenthood feel grounded and supported.

Common Emotional Concerns of Intended Parents

“Will I bond with my baby?”

Yes. Bonding comes through love, presence, and care — not pregnancy.

“I’m afraid something will go wrong.”

This is one of the most common fears. We help you understand what’s normal and what’s not.

“I feel guilty that someone else is carrying my child.”

This is normal — and we help you understand that surrogacy is an act of mutual support, not burden.

“I’m anxious about trusting someone I’ve never met.”

We guide you through healthy relationship building with your surrogate.

“We’ve been through so many fertility failures… I’m scared to hope again.”

We support you through the transition from grief to excitement.

Mental Health Professionals & Counselling

For parents who want deeper therapeutic support, we help connect you with:

• Surrogacy-specialised counsellors
  
• Fertility psychologists
  
• LGBTQ+ family-building therapists
  
• Trauma-informed mental health professionals
  
• International parental wellbeing coaches
  

These services help intended parents feel emotionally steady and confident.

Emotional Support for Different Intended Parent Groups

Infertility patients

Helping process loss and rebuilding hope.

LGBTQ+ parents

Supporting identity, genetic planning, and legal fears.

Single parents

Navigating parenthood while solo and building support systems.

Parents using donor eggs/sperm

Processing genetic expectations, family identity, or questions.

Parents pursuing international surrogacy

Handling uncertainty, long-distance pregnancy, and travel stress.

Tips for Staying Emotionally Grounded During Surrogacy

✔ Stay informed, not overwhelmed

We help you understand what matters — and what doesn’t.

✔ Communicate clearly

Boundaries and expectations reduce emotional friction.

✔ Build a support system

Partner, friends, therapist, support groups.

✔ Celebrate small milestones

Each step brings you closer to your child.

✔ Allow conflicting emotions

Surrogacy can be joyful and stressful at the same time.

✔ Focus on your “why”

Every update, delay, or worry is part of your story of becoming a parent.