บทถอดความฉบับเต็มของ Strength Training While Pregnant: A Surrogate’s Perspective

to dismiss how hard it is. 00:03:38.960 --> 00:03:49.919 But I think if women went into it being like, hey, most of us are gonna have that once or twice, even along the road, then I think it would make it feel less isolating. 00:03:50.159 --> 00:04:00.400 And not that it's not gonna be heavy, because that's always gonna be heavy, but maybe just at least not so alone and not so devastating to where you still have hope, like, hey, right, that doesn't mean I won't ever. 00:04:00.479 --> 00:04:01.599 It's just that this was the one. 00:04:01.919 --> 00:04:06.960 Because you talk about it and then other people are like, I this happened to me, but don't give up, you know. 00:04:07.120 --> 00:04:13.759 And so I didn't, and we tried again and then got pregnant with our second pretty quickly. 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:19.839 And then our third was again about a year after we started trying again. 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:22.720 Got pregnant um within a few months. 00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:27.759 The first one was the first try, the other ones like were a few months, and then we would get pregnant. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:32.879 So very grateful that it was not difficult in that way. 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:36.319 The first one at age eight, he's eight now. 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:38.480 I so I don't know how old I was. 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:39.600 So 31. 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:41.920 I want first one at 31. 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:50.399 Second one I've been pregnant every year since 2017, which is kind of the bombshell for your story. 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:58.319 Is you'd already had four babies of your own, now at 38, and you decided to become a surrogate, which is such a gift. 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:00.160 So let's go down that path. 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:05.199 And what sparked that in you, especially at an age where most people are worried about it? 00:05:05.360 --> 00:05:05.600 Yes. 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:07.360 So surrogacy, take us through that. 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:08.480 Yes, surrogacy. 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:13.040 Um, so whenever I was pregnant with my first, I absolutely loved being pregnant. 00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:17.759 I had easy pregnancies, no morning sickness, nothing like that. 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:18.959 I I felt great. 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:21.360 I loved the way I felt pregnant. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:23.519 I was I love the way I looked pregnant, you know. 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:26.639 Some people are just like, oh, your body's changing, but I loved it. 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:29.600 I'm growing this human and thought it was amazing. 00:05:29.759 --> 00:05:34.720 And so from the time I was pregnant with him, I had him and I was like, I want to be a surrogate. 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:41.360 And that uh like it that just popped into my head, you know, okay, this is something I want to do, but obviously we're not done, so we're not gonna do that yet. 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:43.199 Like I gotta have four first. 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:51.199

So we didn't know how many we wanted, but then once we had our fourth, we were like, okay, we've got a lot, they're all under two years apart. 00:05:51.519 --> 00:05:54.480 We were we were fulfilled in that manner. 00:05:54.720 --> 00:06:00.720 Uh, but I told my husband, I'm done with our own children, but I am not done being pregnant myself. 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:04.879 There's a way that I can fulfill that part by helping another family. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:06.720 His reaction. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:09.600 He was a reaction was absolutely not, you know. 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:10.720 Why would you do that? 00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:14.959 And I think most people's reactions are, you can't give up this baby. 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:16.800 You can't, you can't give away a baby. 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:20.560 And I was like, first of all, my body, you know. 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:23.279 Telling you and not asking. 00:06:23.680 --> 00:06:24.079 Exactly. 00:06:24.160 --> 00:06:25.759 And which I should not have done that. 00:06:25.839 --> 00:06:32.240 But it was like, you know, this is going to affect us because obviously I will be pregnant, I will have hormones. 00:06:32.399 --> 00:06:34.160 So he was like, Why would you do this? 00:06:34.240 --> 00:06:40.480 So I started showing him stories on Instagram and they were able to have a family because of surrogacy. 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:45.199 Um, and he's like, Okay, if this is something you want to do, then I'm on board. 00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:47.920 And I was like, But I need you to like really be on board. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:50.240 You're not just okay, she won't shut up about it. 00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:51.279 I need you to want this. 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:53.920 And he's like, Okay, we're gonna help a family. 00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:57.920 It's gonna help us financially too, because I do get compensated for it. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:04.399 Uh, I couldn't imagine, you know, our our kid not having our kids and having to struggle to have children. 00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:07.600 And we can find a family who is struggling and we can help them. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:11.759 And you feel like God blessed you that that I was lovely pregnancy? 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:12.240 Yes. 00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:12.720 Yes. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:14.079 I'm I'm good at it. 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:16.240 I'm good at being pregnant, I guess you could say. 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:17.120 I enjoy it. 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:22.560 I've met plenty of people who are like, I would not, because pregnancy is not fun for me and I love it, you know. 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:27.360 I didn't tell family until after um I signed on with an agency. 00:07:27.519 --> 00:07:33.759 So I found an agency, and what they do is you sign on with them, they catch you with someone who's in align alignment with them. 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:35.519 Picking an agency too. 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:43.759 Yeah, I mean if there's someone listening and they're like, I want to gift this to somebody, how do you go about finding an agency that aligns with your values? 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:47.439 You can get online and research. 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:51.680 Don't just Google those agencies are paying for their name to be at the top. 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:53.759 It doesn't mean that they're the best. 00:07:53.839 --> 00:07:58.560 Um, because there are unfortunately unethical agencies out there. 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:01.439 It's not extremely regulated in some parts. 00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:05.759 So you can get predatory agencies that are gonna pay you this small amount. 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:09.519 We're gonna give you these questionable intended parents. 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:14.480 And it's it's red flags, but some people go in to it and see money. 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:16.720 That's what gives surrogacy a bad name. 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:17.279 Right. 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:21.519 Um, so what would be some green flags where you were like, yes to this? 00:08:21.839 --> 00:08:25.279 Doing single embryo transfers, like in IVF. 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:35.200 Some, if you're doing it on your own, you'll transfer multiple embryos because you in hopes of one sticking or you know, multiples or something, but it's really unsafe. 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:42.559 And it's unsafe for parents to want to choose to do that to you, even though they're paying you, but they're not looking out for your well-being. 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:46.799 If you want to do that for your own eggs, I feel like that's your choice. 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:53.200 But putting someone else through it and an um, you know, a clinic saying, okay, yeah, let's dump three in there. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:55.440 Because one egg can split. 00:08:55.679 --> 00:08:59.600 So if you do two embryos, you could end up with four kids. 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:04.799 That's not safe for the you as a surrogate, it's not safe for the kids, anything like that. 00:09:05.200 --> 00:09:07.440 Did your faith play into it at all? 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:12.799 You can say how you feel, and they'll match you with like-minded individuals. 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:17.360 Faith was big with telling my dad because my dad is Catholic. 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:21.279 And when I told him, he's like, No, you're not gonna do it. 00:09:21.440 --> 00:09:27.039 And I'm like, Can I tell you telling you to be nice, to not shock you? 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:36.480 But I like explained to him and showed him st other stories, and then that's when it's just having knowledge of what actually is happening and what you're doing. 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:40.000 But the rest of my family, they're like, that's wonderful, you want to do that for someone else. 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:40.240 Okay. 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:45.759 The knowledge piece hit me, which I feel silly for, but maybe someone else feels the same way. 00:09:45.919 --> 00:09:51.200 Of course, thinking surrogacy, thinking that

the mother donating the egg would have to go through IVF. 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:54.159 I totally didn't even register until we talked about it too. 00:09:54.320 --> 00:10:01.039 That then that's a path you have to do as well as the vessel to prep your body to be able to help someone else. 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:01.440 Yes. 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:08.320 The mom in our situation uh could not carry um a baby, but her eggs were fine. 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:10.879 Her and her husband were able to make embryos. 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:15.200 So she did go to the clinic, did her egg retrieval, and they made the embryos. 00:10:15.279 --> 00:10:23.679 And then when it came to my turn, taking all the IVF meds to trick your body into thinking it's pregnant once this embryo is implanted. 00:10:23.840 --> 00:10:26.720 You're taking estrogen, you're taking progesterone. 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:35.120 I was doing injections in my hips every day, and you do that till about 10 to 12 weeks, depending once the placenta takes over. 00:10:35.279 --> 00:10:40.159 So it was a lot of medications added, you know, that I didn't really think of beforehand. 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:40.879 It was a lot. 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:44.240 Luckily for me, the IVF meds didn't affect me. 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:50.879 Some people, you'll get headaches, you'll start getting skin blemishes and stuff because of all the hormones you're putting in. 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:55.840 But for me, it was very smooth IVF process. 00:10:56.159 --> 00:11:03.440 Um, and more empathy to those who have to do that just to get pregnant themselves. 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:07.200 It was not for the faint of heart, that's for sure. 00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:12.720 Because, you know, in the end, you're doing all that and you could be putting yourself through all that, and then it could not work. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:16.000 So um, luckily for me, it stuck on the first try. 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:17.919 Some of the parents run out of embryos. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:24.399 So then we've got to wait six months to try again because now the mom has to go through the cycle for her egg retrieval and all that. 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:26.399 So we got very lucky. 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:29.840 Agency help manage that process. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:30.240 Yes. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:32.879 The agency, they're like, we're gonna use this clinic. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:35.679 So you guys come here, make your embryos. 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:40.320 And so now they still have a bunch of embryos frozen at the clinic if they want to do it again. 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:49.519 The agency is very helpful for maneuvering through all those areas that I knew nothing about because you can go independent, but they're more knowledgeable. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:52.639 And what a hard conversation because there is compensation for it. 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:58.240 So the compensation thing, it's weird, you know, because they're paying you, but

it's a big chunk of your life. 00:11:58.320 --> 00:12:00.399 Usually the whole thing takes at least a year. 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:05.600 And then, yeah, you're carrying a baby and you're putting your body at risk because things can happen. 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:07.360 People do get put on bed rest. 00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:09.759 Um, you could have complications. 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:16.559 You're supposed to go into this, done with your family, because during delivery, something could happen and I could need a hysterectomy. 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:20.320 You know, you could lose organs that would help you have another baby. 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:20.639 Right. 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:22.399 That's the mindset you have to go in. 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:26.559 There is a lot of risk for the surrogate as well. 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:30.000 Um, but so that's kind of where the compensation comes into play. 00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:32.799 Like, yes, I'm getting something, but I could also have a lot to lose. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:34.080 On both ends of it. 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:34.399 Yes. 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:37.440 So so nice to have a third-party help manage. 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:40.320 Yeah, I can't imagine trying to navigate that independently. 00:12:40.559 --> 00:12:49.440 So then how does the family or the intended parent process picking go after you've picked your agency? 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:52.080 And now how do they assign you? 00:12:52.480 --> 00:13:04.000 I actually met with another family prior to this one, and they um had a surrogate who was pregnant at the time and was due to deliver at the end of the year. 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:08.879 And they were like, we want to do a sibling, but this was gonna be their first baby. 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:11.120 So they were like, we don't know if we want to start a journey right now. 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:12.399 So we weren't on the same timeline. 00:13:12.639 --> 00:13:27.600 So they sent me another profile and which you read over their profile, and then if you're like, okay, I do a Zoom, a Zoom meeting, and then you can just sit there and talk and you know, tell them about your life, what you do, how you guys met, things like that. 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:30.159 Kind of like vibe you get, you know, while you're talking. 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:38.960 Like, is this someone that I could spend the next year having a relationship with, you know, helping them bring a child into the world? 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:41.840 And they were wonderful people. 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:46.480 Right after we got off the phone, I emailed and I was like, yes, they they are it. 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:47.840 They also said yes. 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:52.320 And then that's when we were able to go through legal, so everything's under contracts. 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:57.519 And then you get with the clinics, you set up all the the med schedule. 00:13:57.679 --> 00:13:59.840 We were able to just build a relationship.

00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:04.320 They suggest the agency suggested talking as much as you wanted regularly. 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:05.600 I think we use WhatsApp. 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:14.720 Um, and we would just message back and forth all the time and like getting to know me and my family, I'd send them pictures of the kids. 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:20.240 And and then they also the agency also suggested FaceTime calls once a month. 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.600 Do you feel like that helped? 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.159 Oh, yeah. 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:28.399 Because especially having my own kids, I'm gonna be pregnant and they're gonna be like, Is it our sibling? 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:30.320 You know, these are who we're gonna help. 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:39.919 And they would talk to them and um and the kids loved it, but it was nice for them to put a face with, okay, this is what mom is doing this for. 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:42.480 So there was no confusion that was helpful. 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:53.600 I can't imagine having to navigate the whole scenario of surrogacy and then also trying to explain to your four little babies of your own, like, you know, this your sibling in here, this is for somebody else. 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:55.279 Yes, and that was hard for them. 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:57.519 Like, well, why can't she have the baby? 00:14:57.600 --> 00:15:00.480 And I'm like, not everybody is able to have a baby. 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:02.480 So you you have girls, though. 00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:11.360 So to have that conversation at a young age for them to understand and process that, okay, normalizing that you know it's not the same for everyone. 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.399 Yes, exactly. 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:19.759 They all took it very well, and getting to know the parents helped them through that process. 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:26.080 Because they live in another country, I didn't meet them physically until the transfer in Connecticut. 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:29.919 So that was the first time we met, and the mom speaks a little bit of English. 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:36.399 Most of my communication was with the dad when we were speaking, but me and the mom could message on the app and it would translate. 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.840 So we would talk through there. 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:50.720 But it was crazy because we met in the hotel lobby, and I saw her get out of the car, and she came in, and I we just embraced in a huge hug, and we're both crying, and we haven't even done anything yet. 00:15:50.879 --> 00:16:01.440 We both knew she was so grateful for what I was doing, and I was so happy to meet her and hopefully help her with this journey to being a mom and having a child. 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:06.480 So having that connection and those good vibes probably is part of the reason as to why it did take. 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:08.639 Yes, just positive and everything. 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:14.000 Even though we couldn't communicate, we could talk a little, but her husband would have to translate. 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:19.759 But we went to dinner and um she was always touching me and hugging and just like looking at each other. 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:25.679 We just knew that this was special, and even though we couldn't communicate, there was still a bond shared between us. 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:31.120 There's something special about having that language barrier and just being able to be like, no, our souls get it. 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:33.600 I may not understand what you're saying, but I get you. 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:34.559 Yes, exactly. 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:37.840 One weekend I had messaged them and I was like, Oh, I'm so sorry. 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:40.559 It was my birthday, so I haven't been able to respond. 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:43.360 And they're like, wait, does your birthday win? 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:47.200 I told them and they're like, that's when her birthday is. 00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:49.360 So we share our same birthday. 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:53.039 So it was like little things throughout the journey. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:56.879 She was very big on signs and she was like, This is just crazy. 00:16:57.039 --> 00:17:01.759 Of all the people in the world, and then we match, and then her and I share the same birthday. 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.799 It was pretty wild. 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:09.200 Was there ever part of the process where doubt creeped in where you thought maybe this wasn't the right decision? 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:12.240 Or, you know, am I fit to do this? 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:14.640 Physically, I always felt great. 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:17.839 I think mentally it's a lot. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:25.839 When we were flying out for the transfer, you know, and I'm like, we're going to another state to go put a baby in me. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.880 Are we doing this? 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:28.400 I can't back out now. 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:31.200 Like it's a huge life decision you're making. 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.559 I want to help this family. 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:36.400 Um, but when it comes down to it, but then when it comes down to it, I'm going to do this. 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:45.359 And then just meeting them in person and the amount of love that they showed me, I was like, okay, this is it helps calm the nerves. 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:51.759 And, you know, because it is, it is a scary thing, but um, it made me realize this is why we're doing this. 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:54.079 There's a purpose, there's a goal at the end. 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:56.079 We want to get them a child. 00:17:56.319 --> 00:18:04.079 The thing that's been the hardest for people when I talk to them about the topic is they're like, I just don't think I could give away a baby from the beginning. 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.680 You were like, this is not mine. 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:11.279 Did you have just like a mental mantra that

you would say to yourself along the process if weird thoughts creeped in? 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:14.480 So for me, I it's not my DNA at all. 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:22.480 I'm just the carrier to get the baby earth side, and I knew I was content with my family. 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:25.279 I do not want any more little ones. 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:27.680 Somehow I was able to block it. 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:38.880 I I don't know if it sounds old, but we went to the heartbeat um confirmation and I was there uh at the clinic, and hey, there's the heartbeat, and I I did what I was supposed to do. 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:40.480 My body did what it was supposed to do. 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:42.400 That's how I like went through phases. 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:49.680 My end goal is getting this baby to these parents, but I am in no way felt a connection. 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:55.440 There was a purpose, there was never a motherly connection with it. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:19:04.079 Have you always been able to compartmentalize and just look at things as more of a goal and separate the emotional parts of it? 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:09.599 Or is that something maybe later in life and because you have four beautiful kids of your own? 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:15.519 So, because I think for some people it's just natural to them, but other people have to really work hard to separate that. 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:22.559 I think that I have I am good at separating when there's like a goal or an issue. 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:26.960 My husband thinks I'm like kind of cold sometimes, you know. 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:30.160 He's like, You're so nice to other people and you are so mean to me. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:32.799 And I'm like, this is what needs to be done, you know. 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:37.519 So I think I've always been like that, and that definitely helped. 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:47.119 But also I had the embryo transfer when my youngest was one year, and then I have the three olders, all six and under, you know. 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.640 So I'm like, I was busy. 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:52.480 I didn't have I was time to be like, I'm gonna have this baby. 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:58.880 I was just like, I've got this life to live, and while I'm doing it, I'm helping someone else get to their family. 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:00.559 What a special angel you are. 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:05.599 And your husband may think that's cold, but I look at it almost like you were built for this. 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:11.680 Pregnancy is easy for you and you enjoy it, and you can mentally compartmentalize it. 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:14.640 Like, I feel like this is 100% what God put you here to do. 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:16.400 I don't have any kiddos of my own. 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:20.720 All three of us gals on the podcast are at, you know, different phases of that. 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:28.799 And we never kind of tapped into that age because I think that's a big thing too, where people are having babies later. 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:32.240 Kind of what was your thought of your age to do this? 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:34.799 Like I said, my first, I was 31. 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:37.680 Everybody is getting pregnant later for the most part. 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:41.440 You're seeing people into their 40s, you know, having babies. 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:44.079 And I had an aunt who was 40 when she had her last. 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:52.000 And um, you know, I know I can do this, but for me, the biggest difference with my other ones was how active I was. 00:20:52.160 --> 00:21:03.200 I'm active because I have four kids that are doing all the things, so I can't just sit around and then being in a gym and doing strength training was by far like the best thing I could have done. 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:10.640 I was gonna tap into that when you went through that vetting process with the family, telling them, hey, I'm gonna work out pretty hard through this whole thing. 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:11.839 How did that part go? 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:14.799 Whenever you do the match call, asking, How active are you? 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:17.200 And it's like I do a bunch of stuff with my kids. 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:22.079 We're going on bike rides, we are out at the baseball field, we're gonna go do things. 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:25.359 I can't stop living my life with my four kids. 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:28.000 And they totally understood that. 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:33.680 And I was like, uh, I go to the gym, you know, there's gonna be weights being lifted that are heavy. 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:35.599 Like you're gonna see me doing things. 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:37.839 They are active people too. 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:41.759 So they're like, yeah, whatever is healthy for you, and you've done this four times. 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:44.720 So we trust you're not gonna do anything that you shouldn't do. 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:47.440 Did you strength train through all of your babies? 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:49.839 To answer that, simply no. 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:57.119 I would do machines at the gym, you know, at the Y, and but I'm not motivated when I go to the gym by myself. 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:59.599 I need someone to say, this is. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:03.519 The exercise you're doing and get it done. 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:05.920 So what made you pick the gym? 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:06.319 Yes. 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.200 True fit. 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:11.279 And I think it was like in the midst of all of your dis big decisions. 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:15.440 Another TrueFit member was telling me that about the gym. 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:17.599 And so she was like, You should join in December. 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:19.440 They do a free month. 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:23.519 So I joined December and I transferred in the middle of January. 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:30.000 So I was working out consistently and

with the harder workout regimen for a month and a half going in. 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:32.880 So I already was in better shape, felt really good. 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:38.720 My OB, she's like, Whatever you can work out during pregnancy, maintain whatever you're doing. 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.880 Whatever you did before you can do during. 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:41.440 Yes. 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:44.400 So I was like, okay, so I've got a good month and a half base. 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:46.960 Um, I did that and it was great. 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:49.039 I felt better the whole time. 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:55.039 I was able to run around with my kids just as much as I did without being pregnant. 00:22:55.279 --> 00:23:00.559 And it's all because of the strength training and stuff that I did at the gym. 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:05.839 You were doing group classes, which are pretty intense, and then also doing some personal training. 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:10.960 So talk about how that made you feel and then maybe what you would tell someone if they were afraid. 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:17.119 So I was doing the group classes, and then I did the semi-private too, and that was fun. 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:20.960 And I those are more like you're lifting even heavier, trying to get PRs. 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:22.559 But like I said, I felt great. 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:26.000 And my OBs, like, as long as you feel good, keep doing it. 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:30.400 And I would post videos and the intended parents would be like, Oh, we saw you. 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:34.319 But they wouldn't say anything, they're just like, Wow, you know, pretty impressive. 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.599 Like just acknowledging. 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:38.319 Yes, yes, just just we're watching, you know. 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:42.240 The mom would always be like, I'm really like impressed that you can do that. 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:45.599 So don't stop just because you're pregnant. 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:47.839 If you're feeling good, keep doing it. 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:53.119 And um, once I got to the privates, I did that towards the very end of pregnancy. 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:57.119 And, you know, we'd be doing leg presses and I'd be going real deep. 00:23:57.200 --> 00:24:00.640 And I'm like, getting my pelvis ready for this delivery, you know. 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:03.359 And my trainer would always be like, You feel good? 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.960 Do we need to adjust anything? 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.920 I feel great. 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:08.799 And she was great and she pushed me. 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:12.960 But if I ever said anything, she's like, All right, if we need to stop, whatever you can do. 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:18.960 But it was amazing doing all that, being that active, because I felt great. 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:20.799 I was the oldest I had been. 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:23.519 So by the time I had him, I'm 39 now. 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:25.279 Had four previous kids. 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:30.000 Now I'm having this fifth one, and it was the best I had felt for sure. 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:34.160 And right now, you're only five months, yes. 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:40.880 You were able, like you posted a video and I was showing one of my other clients who's trying to get pregnant, and she was cautious. 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:42.240 She's like, Am I still gonna be able to do this? 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:43.200 And I was like, Let me show you. 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.640 Yes, you can. 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.599 You look amazing. 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:49.359 Do you feel like it helped you bounce back faster after? 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.640 Yes, a hundred percent. 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:57.759 And and I know that you're comparing yourself to people on Instagram, and you know, you see they just had a baby and it's been like a week, and it's like, oh my god. 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:59.200 People are like, oh, it's genetics. 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:01.359 And I'm like, it's it's lifestyle. 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:05.759 It is because with my other kids, the bounce back was not as good. 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:08.880 I wasn't working out as consistently. 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:13.759 And after a week or two, I like my body's like, okay, we're going back to where we're supposed to be. 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:16.000 And that was the first time that happened. 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:21.599 It's never been a huge struggle to get back, but I could see drastically, and my husband too. 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:23.440 He's like, You look really good. 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.240 Thank you. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:34.319 You had said something like, I took so many selfies and videos of me pregnant because you felt like you still had muscle tone and you enjoyed even being pregnant, how you felt. 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:45.920 Yes, because can continuing to lift throughout pregnancy, I could still see, okay, yes, I'm getting bigger in the midsection, but I can see that my other muscles, they're getting more defined because I didn't stop. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:55.680 I kept kept doing it, and it was motivating for me to see, okay, I'm pregnant, and I still look pretty good, you know, and uh I'm gonna keep going to the gym. 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:59.039 And just everybody at the gym was so encouraging. 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:02.000 It was fun to go in and talk to everybody about it. 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:05.039 I wanted to spread awareness of surrogacy, you know. 00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:06.640 How many people know a surrogate? 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:08.720 Not that I didn't know any before this. 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:10.960 I still don't like personally know any. 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:14.400 That's how the story went when we saw you were like, oh, congratulations. 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.359 And you're like, not mine. 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:15.680 Yeah. 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:17.279 Like

taken aback at first. 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.240 We were like, hold on. 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:20.240 We get what it's like when men say that. 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:22.880 Yes, but for a woman to say that exactly. 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:24.880 It was just a welcoming community. 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:30.079 It was fun to go work out with everybody and then kind of tell them a little bit about surrogacy. 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:33.839 And then for everybody to be so encouraging, like, I can't believe you're all here doing this. 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:36.160 That's awesome that you're still working out. 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:39.839 And uh, you know, and some of the women they're like, Well, I was told I couldn't work out. 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:44.480 I wish I would have known better, because just all in all, you feel better. 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:49.039 The delivery was so much easier, the recovery so much easier. 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:53.359 How exciting then you have a community that you can't wait to get back to postpartum. 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:53.519 Yeah. 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:55.759 Which I think is hard for women afterwards. 00:26:56.079 --> 00:27:00.240 You already had your kiddos, so you already did still have babies to take care of. 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:08.240 But then they're like, Oh, I have this child to take care of, and they prolong good and go to any sort of health regimen where you went back as soon as possible. 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.359 How many weeks? 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:11.359 Six weeks I went back. 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.880 I was ready to go back. 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:19.519 I had done some things with bands at home in between a little pelvic floor stuff, but it was like I never left. 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:21.680 I hadn't lost the muscle. 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:25.920 I was able to still lift pretty close to what I was lifting before. 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:30.960 So it was a good thing to do to stay active throughout the whole pregnancy. 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:34.720 What would you tell someone who was like, yeah, I quit because I'm afraid? 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:42.799 I would say your health and being active is gonna be good for everybody. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:49.279 It's gonna be good for your pregnant body, it's gonna be good for you afterwards, taking care of your baby. 00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:53.759 You don't want to not do it, something that brings you joy just because you're afraid. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.039 Don't be afraid. 00:27:55.200 --> 00:28:00.480 This is gonna help you all around in all aspects of the pregnancy, of the postpartum. 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:03.119 Um, it's just something that you should do. 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:09.839 I wish I would have done it with all of mine, but it's it's that happy part of my day that I would get to go do. 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:13.119 And it really helped me throughout pregnancy. 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:22.079 And it'll teach you not to be afraid throughout the whole thing because I think carrying that fear is gonna potentially create the thing that you're afraid of. 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.799 Yes, exactly. 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.119 Right? 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:29.680 Instead of living in your strength and in your faith that nope, I'm gonna take care of my body and so the baby will be taken care of too. 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.480 Yeah, yeah. 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:34.720 Because yeah, working out is only making you a healthier vessel for this baby. 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:38.799 Give us kind of a short condensed version of the labor. 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:43.039 Because I feel like strength training maybe helped that go smoothly too. 00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:45.519 Um, and it's kind of a funny story. 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:49.599 Okay, so for my very first, I ended up having a C-section. 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:52.160 Um, and then I had three V backs after that. 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:58.160 So it's always so interesting to me because I always thought, you know, once you had a C-section, I thought you knew all of it. 00:28:58.319 --> 00:29:01.119 And that is that is very common what people think. 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:10.160 And I actually have a friend who um had a C-section and they're like, well, for the next one, I've already had a C-section, let's just do that again and don't even want to try for the V-back. 00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:12.799 For me, I was like, no, I want to try. 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:16.400 So I was able to try and was successful with the other three. 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:20.319 And so this one, I was like, okay, we're gonna do that again. 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:25.759 The family's gonna be there and you know, it's gonna be this calm, peaceful, beautiful thing. 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:42.480 When I was doing the leg presses and we're opening up the hips, I was doing all these things to open it everything up where this baby is gonna come out this way because he was measuring big, um uh uh 80 to 90th percentile, and all my kids were 50th percentile. 00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:44.400 So this is gonna be a big baby. 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:47.599 So I was worried I do not want to have to have a C-section. 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:54.880 I had one years ago and then I did all these V backs, and now I'm gonna end up with another C-section and recovery-wise, did not want that. 00:29:55.039 --> 00:30:07.200 I went to a workout on a Wednesday to my 4:30 class, and um, it was funny because towards the end when I'd be doing squats, John is like, please don't have that baby in here. 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.960 And I'm like, I just gotta get ready. 00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:11.200 He's like, if your water breaks, leave. 00:30:11.359 --> 00:30:13.359 But I was just doing all the things to prep. 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:23.119 Um, so I had an induction date for that Friday, and that Wednesday went and worked out, got home, was doing stretches, feeling great, no contractions,

nothing. 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:24.960 And then um 11 p.m. 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:27.680 I got up to go to the bathroom and my water broke. 00:30:27.839 --> 00:30:30.640 And this is the first time my water's fully broken. 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:33.440 My husband's like, these seem quick. 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:35.279 Um, are you okay? 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:39.200 And all of my labors have been a few hours. 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:44.480 So I'm like, we've got time, my mom has to come, we need to call the parents. 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:46.079 All these things have to happen. 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:50.720 But I could kind of tell these are quick contractions, they're heavy. 00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:52.960 I think this is gonna be fast. 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:59.200 So my mom gets there, we get in the car, head to the hospital, call the parents, call the birth photographer. 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:03.519 On the way, I don't have my ID, there's no time to turn around. 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:10.240 We get on the highway and our exit is closed because of construction, and I'm dying at this point. 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:12.799 I'm turned around in the car, I'm just breathing. 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:16.480 We've never experienced that because we've always been in the hospital when it's been this far. 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:18.799 And then I'm like, okay, let's get the epidural now. 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:26.400 And I was always told I was had to get an epidural because of my previous C-section in case I had to get another one, they didn't have to knock me out. 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:28.799 So we gotta get to the hospital, get this epidural. 00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:30.240 This is hurting so bad. 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:34.000 We take another route to the hospital, we get stuck behind a train. 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:38.240 So it was like, what could happen in any scenario that would make this worse? 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:40.480 And it was that yes, this is what is happening. 00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:41.920 This is gonna be a car baby. 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:44.480 And I've seen car babies born before on Instagram. 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:47.039 So I'm like, okay, should we set the camera up? 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:50.240 Just so they could see their baby being born. 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:58.720 And um, and in all the car ones too that I've seen, the mom is sitting like I was sitting, holding the headrest, ready to deliver if need be. 00:31:58.880 --> 00:32:02.960 And my husband's like, She is about to have this other person's kid in our car. 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:05.519 Like, I just gotta get her to the hospital. 00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:08.319 The intended parents already in the country. 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:08.720 Yes. 00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:11.359 So they had gotten here when I was 36 weeks. 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:14.160 So they were staying at an Airbnb. 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:16.799 We had called them and they were on their way to the hospital. 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:20.400 We finally get past the train, get to the ER. 00:32:20.640 --> 00:32:23.440 My husband, he's like, Where's the ER? 00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:26.240 Everybody knows it's the sign that says ER. 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:30.480 He turns before the ER sign, and I'm like, What are you doing? 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:32.160 He's like, it said ER this way. 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.680 No, literally at the sign. 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:36.960 Like, and I kept telling him, This baby is going to come out. 00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:40.799 You have to get me to the circle drive of the ER. 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:44.640 That's where this car needs to be, not wherever the heck you're going right now. 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:46.640 We're going behind the hospital. 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:51.200 We pull into a parking lot that you get a ticket from. 00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:52.559 This is absolutely insane. 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:56.640 And I'm just like, if I release anything, the baby is coming out. 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:59.440 And I've never had an unmedicated birth. 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:04.559 So I've never had this feeling because at this point, I cannot get an epidural. 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.680 We're so far past that. 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:07.599 The other ones, they're like, push, bear down. 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.720 And I'm like, I think I'm doing it. 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.119 I don't know. 00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:09.759 I can't feel. 00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:11.519 And this one, I'm like, no, no, no. 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:13.599 It is right there and it's about to happen. 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:15.519 So we're in that parking lot. 00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:20.799 So he jumps a curb because to get out, you had to stick your ticket in and pay. 00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:26.799 So he jumped a curb, whips around to the front of the ER, goes inside, and he's like, My wife's in labor. 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:32.079 So I'm still just holding, like, okay, we're not gonna have this baby. 00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:33.599 And the nurse is like, Is there a head? 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.880 No, there's no head. 00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:36.079 But something's happening. 00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:38.880 The security guard's like, okay, I'll take you to labor and delivery. 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:42.160 So I get in the wheelchair and she starts to take me. 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:44.960 And all of a sudden, my body was like, We're pushing. 00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:46.720 And I was like, I'm about to push. 00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:48.319 And she's like, Oh, no, you're not. 00:33:48.400 --> 00:33:52.160 And she's turns me around, yells out to the nurse in the ER. 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:56.240 And then I'm hanging onto the wheelchair, screaming, and my body is just pushing. 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:58.079 Your body knows what you're supposed to do. 00:33:58.720 --> 00:34:01.200 Finally, get in a room in the ER. 00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:02.480 They throw me on the

table. 00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:05.440 They're not used to uh deliveries in the ER. 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:10.400 So I just had a bunch of eyes on me, just staring and nobody helping. 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:13.360 The ER doc is like, oh, I think we have some time. 00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:15.280 I don't know why you think we have time. 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:20.559 My body is physically pushing and I'm yelling for meds, knowing I cannot get meds. 00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:22.400 But and then they call a code stork. 00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:24.480 So they get people from labor and delivery. 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:25.199 Yeah, I know. 00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:25.679 So cute. 00:34:25.760 --> 00:34:28.000 They're like, code stork and over the intercom. 00:34:28.320 --> 00:34:30.559 Finally, some people who know what they're doing come down. 00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:32.239 And my doctor was on call. 00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:33.599 So she came down. 00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:35.039 So she's getting ready. 00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:37.519 All of a sudden, the photographer runs in. 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:39.599 She made it just in time. 00:34:39.760 --> 00:34:41.280 And then where are the parents? 00:34:41.360 --> 00:34:42.559 And she's like, I called them. 00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:46.239 I told them you're in the ER because they were gonna go up to labor and delivery. 00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:53.599 They're trying to get over here because there was construction at the hospital and they had parked where labor and delivery was. 00:34:53.760 --> 00:34:56.079 So they're running around the hospital to get there. 00:34:56.239 --> 00:34:58.159 The only way to stop the pain is to push him out. 00:34:58.320 --> 00:35:09.920 So next contraction, I pushed and his head came out, and then one more push and the rest of his body came out, and it was absolutely amazing because, like I said, I've never done without an epidural. 00:35:10.239 --> 00:35:12.079 Um, and it was so quick. 00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:13.760 Two pushes and he was out. 00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:15.280 I never thought I could do that. 00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:19.280 So the parents weren't there, they still hadn't made it. 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:23.119 They came in about five minutes after he was born. 00:35:23.280 --> 00:35:25.920 The photographer was there, so we've got video and pictures. 00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:29.039 But yeah, it was amazing that your body could do that. 00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:34.079 And I think it was so quick and so smooth because of everything that I had done before. 00:35:34.320 --> 00:35:40.719 He was in there so long because my body was strong, we got this, and then when it was time, I'm okay, setting him out now too. 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:41.519 So yeah. 00:35:41.760 --> 00:35:47.920 Um two, I think it was two hours and ten minutes from water breaking to when he was born, and I felt great. 00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:55.119 I got to the hospital at like 12 45 uh AM and then they had discharged me at 12. 00:35:55.280 --> 00:35:57.280 So I was there 12 hours. 00:35:57.519 --> 00:35:59.199 Um, and I felt great. 00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:01.519 Um, I got home and felt great. 00:36:01.599 --> 00:36:07.199 I mean, it's definitely different because I didn't have a newborn to take home, but just physically I felt great. 00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:19.039 Did you have any of that void like, oh hey, I don't have these post-labor things to do and this little creature to do them with. 00:36:19.280 --> 00:36:20.239 I did not have that. 00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:24.480 And I think again, it's just because uh I had so much to do at home already. 00:36:24.639 --> 00:36:37.039 I was able to get back into my routine pretty quickly, and I pretty immediately started doing bandwork at home because I that was the lifestyle I was living was active strength training stuff, and I I wanted to get back to that. 00:36:37.280 --> 00:36:37.920 Job done. 00:36:38.000 --> 00:36:42.719 Yes, did my job babies with his parents, and now back to getting me back. 00:36:42.960 --> 00:36:44.320 Yes, so that's what I did. 00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:54.079 The recovery was super easy, and my husband was very impressed with my postpartum everything, and he was like, I can't believe that you just did that. 00:36:54.239 --> 00:37:01.119 You almost had a baby in the car, and then you had him that quickly and two pushes, and uh he was impressed with everything. 00:37:01.199 --> 00:37:08.880 And I do think majority of what it had to do with was how active I was throughout the pregnancy and just getting my body ready. 00:37:09.199 --> 00:37:11.920 Big question would you be a surrogate again? 00:37:12.159 --> 00:37:16.239 Seeing them afterwards, the joy, the gratitude. 00:37:16.400 --> 00:37:21.760 I have a video from the ER room of when the parents came in. 00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:26.000 The photographer gave one of the nurses the phone and was like, just record everything. 00:37:26.159 --> 00:37:34.559 So a nurse was recording, and my husband opens the door to the room, and the dad walks in, and then the mom walks in and the baby's crying. 00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:37.840 So they look at him and the mom just immediately starts crying. 00:37:38.000 --> 00:37:46.559 I'm still laying on the bed and they're trying to deliver the placenta, and she just comes over to me and just huge embrace, hug, won't let go, you know. 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:48.639 And I'm like, go get your baby. 00:37:48.800 --> 00:37:56.719 And she's just like, no, you know, just so much gratitude for her baby is here, finally here. 00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:59.519 And so it was so special that moment. 00:37:59.599 --> 00:38:08.159 And then she got him, and then she brought him over to me, and she's holding my hands when she had him, and it was just so um overwhelmingly. 00:38:08.559 --> 00:38:10.320 Overwhelmingly, I wasn't even there, yeah. 00:38:10.400 --> 00:38:23.039 I'm just listening to your story, and I'm like, oh yeah, like I when I watched

the video and like I showed like coworkers and stuff, and I'm like just crying because it's so there was such so emotional. 00:38:23.199 --> 00:38:33.360 And we got them their baby, and he's the cutest five-month-old, and they send me pictures and updates all the time, and my kids see pictures and they're like, Oh, he's so cute. 00:38:33.679 --> 00:38:40.159 Um, so I would definitely want to do that again for a family if it's in the cards. 00:38:40.320 --> 00:38:50.719 My husband said he's okay with it, uh, but I am getting older, but um, you have surrogates who are in their 40s, and I think like physically I'm at a good spot. 00:38:50.960 --> 00:38:51.679 I feel great. 00:38:51.760 --> 00:38:54.480 And so yeah, we'll see if it's in the cards again. 00:38:54.639 --> 00:39:05.760 What a special angel you are, because there's gonna be a whole bunch of controversy about surrogacy, like you said, but to be able to have the experience that you had and to be able to give that to someone is amazing. 00:39:05.920 --> 00:39:06.239 Yes. 00:39:06.400 --> 00:39:11.679 So thank you for for all the mommies out there for doing that because what a gift. 00:39:11.840 --> 00:39:16.960 At the end of our episode, we always ask, what are you going all in on right now? 00:39:17.199 --> 00:39:20.880 Okay, so I'm going all in on sustainable wellness. 00:39:21.760 --> 00:39:36.000 What I can do as a busy mama for making sure I'm going to the gym every week, making sure I'm hitting my class numbers that I'm supposed to, which is doable because they're 45 minutes and I can make carve that time out for me. 00:39:36.159 --> 00:39:40.639 I make simple yet nutritional meals that help get me through. 00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:49.599 I've got to cook different things for the kids, but like that's just like helps me maintain what I can do to help me be a better mom in this busy time. 00:39:49.760 --> 00:39:55.519 And, you know, being intentional with my time with my kids because they're only gonna be this little right now. 00:39:55.760 --> 00:39:57.840 They're only getting older, and I don't want to miss that. 00:39:58.000 --> 00:40:02.880 So I want to keep up with my wellness, but in like a practical manner. 00:40:03.599 --> 00:40:06.320 We hope you enjoyed this episode of the All-in-Wellness Approach. 00:40:06.480 --> 00:40:09.360 If the show resonates with you, please rate, review, and subscribe. 00:40:09.440 --> 00:40:12.239 It helps us reach more people who are ready to live all in. 00:40:12.400 --> 00:40:15.360 Join the collective on Instagram at AWOL Podcast. 00:40:15.599 --> 00:40:21.679 That's at A-I-W-A-Podcast for tools, insights, and inspiration and catch every full episode on YouTube. 00:40:22.000 --> 00:40:24.960 Your support fields attention and keeps the collective moving all in. 00:40:25.280 --> 00:40:31.199 This podcast is for educational and entertainment perfectly and is not intended as medical, psychological, or professional type. 00:40:31.440 --> 00:40:33.760 Please consult your doctor before changing your lifestyle.