This story originally appeared on: http://offbeathome.com/surrogacy-part-one/

I am a surrogate. Gestational Carrier. “Just the oven.” And I love it.

My interest in surrogacy began years ago, when a couple I knew was fighting a long battle against infertility and losing. I was pregnant with my second son at the time and I remember thinking as soon as he was born, I would love nothing more than to be a Surrogate for them to carry the baby waiting for for years. They eventually adopted a daughter shortly before my son was born and the idea was put on the back burner.

Then, when I was pregnant with my daughter, a close friend was also pregnant at the same time — but as a Surrogate. I followed her surrogacy journey closely and intently. It was after meeting the couple she carried for that I knew this was something I definitely wanted to do. Watching two people become a family of four and seeing the complete love and appreciation in their eyes was nothing short of amazing.

As time went on, surrogacy was always on my mind. I’m a great candidate: I am good at being pregnant. I have routine pregnancies and uncomplicated deliveries. I like — even love — being pregnant. My husband and I are done having children of our own. My husband enjoys me when I’m pregnant. And the biggest reason: my kids are simply my life.

I know many moms can relate to that. I love my children so fiercely and can’t fathom life without them. But less tangible is the idea of wanting a child with every fiber of your being and simply not being able to make that happen. I conceived easily and do not even pretend to understand what infertile or same-sex couples experience. But I know that longing for a child, and I know how devastated I would be if that dream could never become a reality. I wanted to help.

So, when my daughter was about six months old, I began the process. I should note here that there are two types of surrogacy: traditional, in which the carrier uses her own egg, and gestational, which involves using eggs from the intended mother or a donor. I knew for sure that I wanted to be a Gestational Surrogate and desired no genetic connection between myself and the baby. I also knew that I felt more comfortable using an gestational carrier agency rather than doing things independently. Luckily, since I had a friend who was a Surrogate, choosing the agency was easy. I sent in my application and crossed my fingers.