While it’s normal for new surrogate mothers to experience some degree of trepidation as they get closer to their due dates, the process of having a surrogate baby is also a unique experience that every surrogate mother should look forward to. Here are a few things you can expect in the delivery room as you bring the intended parents’ baby into the world:
In this stage of delivery, your cervix will start to dilate. To do so, your cervix will go through a number of muscle movements called contractions. These contractions are relatively painless at first, but as they increase in frequency, they become more and more noticeable. Your water may also break during this period, and it’s best to distract yourself with light activities while you time the frequency of your contractions. If you choose to use an epidural, a type of pain relief used during labor, it will most likely be administered during this stage.
In the second stage of the delivery process, your cervix will have dilated to its fullest size. During this stage, you will start to feel some degree of pain in your abdomen, thighs, and lower back, and these pains may make it hard to stand up. If you know any breathing or relaxation techniques, the second stage of the delivery process is the time to use them since you will be close to the point of pushing the intended parents’ baby into the world. Toward the end of the second stage, you will have an overwhelming urge to bear down, and then you will feel the need to push. The time spent pushing varies from mother to mother, but upon the last push, the baby’s head will pop out, and the rest of its body will soon follow.
Even after your baby is out of your belly, there’s one more stage of giving birth to take care of. In this final stage, you will push the placenta out of the womb, which is the mass of tissue that has sustained your baby all throughout your pregnancy. This stage usually only takes a few minutes, but can last up to a half hour.
Your gift of service as a surrogate is coming to an end as you prepare to deliver a healthy, beautiful baby to his or her intended parents. If you have any other questions about the process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your surrogate coordinator or toll-free at 1-866-41-SURRO. We’d be happy to help!
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