On May 1, Kara Erickson gave birth to a healthy baby girl and then handed her over to Josep Antonio Castell贸 Ca帽adas, a man sheB次元官网网址檇 met only once before in Las Vegas.

In the fall of 2016, while at an industry trade show, Erickson, who co-owns ChilliwackB次元官网网址檚 , had a chance encounter with Nathan Chan, the managing director of in Calgary. The twoB次元官网网址攚ho connected over their shared stillbirth and loss doula trainingB次元官网网址攂egan talking about egg donation and surrogacy, which ChanB次元官网网址檚 firm specializes in, and Erickson said she felt like she could be of help.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 always wanted to be a surrogate,B次元官网网址� said 28-year-old Erickson in April, while rubbing her very pregnant belly. B次元官网网址淏ut I never pursued itB次元官网网址攊t was more like if somebody I knew needed somebody to carry for them I could do it.B次元官网网址�

But it wasnB次元官网网址檛 until Chan planted the thought did she consider doing it for a stranger.

A single mother to two boys already, Erickson knew she enjoyed pregnancy and that, based on past experiences, she wouldnB次元官网网址檛 develop any complications to worry about. B次元官网网址淚 knew I was a good candidate and a few months (after meeting Chan), I agreed that yes, I would love to become a surrogate.B次元官网网址�

Because current Spanish laws prohibit any form of surrogacy within Spain, Josep Ca帽adas felt his only option to become a father was to seek an international surrogate.

B次元官网网址淚n Spain, IB次元官网网址檓 no couple, IB次元官网网址檓 single, so not possible, the surrogate,B次元官网网址� said Ca帽adas in broken English. B次元官网网址淚n Canada, itB次元官网网址檚 possible for me.B次元官网网址�

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In October 2016, after a quick Google search and a few clicks, Ca帽adas found himself in contact with Chan, who agreed his company could be of service to Ca帽adas, whoB次元官网网址檚 a single gay man. So after the exchange of some information, and agreeing to proceed, Ca帽adas received a copy of EricksonB次元官网网址檚 surrogate profile, which he really liked.

Just before Christmas 2016, Erickson and Ca帽adas both flew to Las Vegas so they could meet and discuss the business of making a baby for Ca帽adas.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a communication barrier,B次元官网网址� explained Erickson. B次元官网网址淪o there was a lot of gesturing and Google Translate.B次元官网网址� But that was enough. While discussing everything they wanted to achieve during the process, the two made a connection and Erickson agreed to be Ca帽adasB次元官网网址檚 surrogate after speaking to her family about it.

And although CanadaB次元官网网址檚 surrogacy laws are more open than SpainB次元官网网址檚, there are still many restrictions to overcome, such as the hurdle of being chosenB次元官网网址攅ven in Canada, many surrogate agencies choose to only work with married couplesB次元官网网址攁nd the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, which permits surrogacy only if itB次元官网网址檚 altruistic.

Any compensation or reimbursement for surrogates outside of approved expenses directly related to the pregnancy is illegal. Which means although Erickson was paid for things like travel expenses, wage loss, and medical necessities, the use of her body for the development of another personB次元官网网址檚 child was totally free of charge: she did it simply because she could and it was a nice thing to do.

After their December 1016 visit in Las Vegas, Erickson began the process of getting ready to become a surrogate, which included all sorts of medical testing, losing 40 pounds, and taking medications that send most women on an unexpected hormonal rollercoaster.

But on August 16, 2017, it was all worth it when Erickson travelled back to Vegas and the five-day embryo that was transferred into her uterus and implanted.

Traditional surrogacy typically involves the surrogateB次元官网网址檚 egg being fertilized either by intrauterine insemination or in vetro fertilization, but in this case, Erickson had no biological connection to her surrogacy: the baby was conceived through the use of an egg donor and Ca帽adasB次元官网网址檚 sperm.

B次元官网网址淭his pregnancy was different (than my others),B次元官网网址� said Erickson. B次元官网网址淭he conversations IB次元官网网址檇 have with her were different than what I had while pregnant (with my sons).B次元官网网址� Instead of talking to her belly about wanting to meet or about dreams for the future, Erickson said sheB次元官网网址檇 say things like, B次元官网网址淵our daddy is so excited to meet you!B次元官网网址�

This pregnancy was also different in that she was contractually bound to abide by the wishes of Ca帽adas. For example, while she had no intention of drinking or smoking during the pregnancy, she could have faced legal consequences had she done so.

Nevertheless, EricksonB次元官网网址檚 pregnancy continued without a hitch and was a success, and after labouring for 40 hours, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl: Cloe Castell贸 Ca帽adas.

B次元官网网址淚t was my day that IB次元官网网址檓 more happy than in my life,B次元官网网址� said Ca帽adas. B次元官网网址淚t was my best day.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚t was an incredibly rewarding experience,B次元官网网址� Erickson added, said smiling at Cloe. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just happy it all worked out.B次元官网网址�

And although Ca帽adas will be returning to Spain with Cloe at the end of May, this isnB次元官网网址檛 the end for he and Erickson, as the two have made a lasting connection and plan on keeping in contact.

B次元官网网址淛osep wants Cloe to know her birth story,B次元官网网址� said Erickson. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e family now. I feel like sheB次元官网网址檚 my niece and weB次元官网网址檒l always have that.B次元官网网址�

Sarah.Gawdin@theprogress.com
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