Alana, Canadian Intended Parent in Ontario, Canada

Explain your reasons for wanting a surrogate/donor:

We have been trying to have a baby for about nine years, with all kinds of procedures (ivf, donor eggs, prior surrogacy attempts) and never quite managed to carry a pregnancy to term. Our current surrogate is wonderful and lovely, but we have tried and failed a couple of times and she needs to move on with her own career plans. She will give us a glowing recommendation, though! I can't wait to meet the special and generous woman who will be able to help us have our kid.

How would you best describe yourself(s):

Noah and I are Canadians in our mid-40s. We have been together for more than 12 years. We are both university professors. Our household atmosphere is loving, fun, full of laughter and good conversation. We both love the outdoors and spend all of our summers in the country near the lakes, mountains and forests. We also love travelling to far off places and meeting new people. I am warm, outgoing and full of energy, keeping relationships with all the family members near and far, and I love cooking, yoga, pottery. I also love my job. Noah is contemplative, athletic, gentle, into music and reading and martial arts. We have very loving families that we are quite close to and lots of good friends.

Use this space to communicate a letter to potential Surrogates/Donors:

We are so excited about the possibility of making a baby with you. Words can hardly convey how grateful we would be for your help. I already know our previous surrogate who me met on this site that it takes an extraordinary woman to do something like this, and I also think it is an absolute miracle that such a thing is possible. We would do everything to look out for your well-being in this process. I know achieving and carrying a pregnancy is not always easy, physically or emotionally, and we would want to make sure you were properly taken care of and your interests protected. Also, I would be very open to whatever kind of arrangement would make you comfortable, including updates and some contact with the baby later on in life if that is something you would want. In terms of what we are looking for in a surrogate: Mostly, we want someone who is excited about the project, healthy in body and spirit, and who has supportive people around her. Surrogate should be a Canadian resident with access to health care. We live in Montreal and Kingston, and our embryos are in Toronto (lots of cities!) but we would be more than happy to travel anywhere in the country to meet you and get to know you. We are already so grateful. You would be bringing a child into a warm, loving, fun, stimulating and stable environment. Thank you again for your generosity beyond words.