Having a family is a dream come true for many millions of hopeful intended parents. As that journey begins, there are some who aren’t granted that wish on their own for various reasons that are often beyond their control. Gestational Surrogacy allows for a couple to utilize their own egg and sperm, if they so choose, by placing a fertilized embryo into another woman’s uterus. A gestational carrier has no genetic ties to the child she carries – she is simply providing a comfortable, safe environment for the fetus to grow in until birth.
For many pregnant moms-to-be, one of the most magical experiences is being able to bond with their child while the child is still in utero. This is something many intended parents awaiting the arrival of the newest member of their family often worry they might miss out on – but they don’t have to! There are many ways in which intended parents can enjoy and experience their own bonding journey, and we’ve gathered a few suggestions for you to try.
TALK TO YOUR BABY WHILE HE/SHE IS IN UTERO
Babies have an extremely developed sense of hearing while they are in the womb. In fact, they are capable of learning sounds from their environment during pregnancy. If you don’t live in close proximity to your gestational carrier to be able to have an opportunity to talk to her belly while your child is in utero, you might consider making a voice recording for your gestational carrier to play for the fetus while he/she is still growing. Check out Amazon for “BellyBuds,” a sounds system with custom speakers that gently adhere to the belly and safely play music, soothing sounds, and loving voice messages directly to the womb. This is a safe, inexpensive, and easy way for intended parents to bond with their babies in utero and get them accustomed to their tones of their voices.
SHARE YOUR MUSIC WITH YOUR CHILD IN UTERO
Along the same lines of recording your voices for your growing baby to hear while they’re still in utero, another option is to create a playlist of your favorite songs for your gestational carrier to play to her belly. This is a great way to bond with your growing little one, and encourages them to become familiar with your taste in music!
ENCOURAGE YOUR GC TO EAT YOUR FAVORITE FOODS
(PROVIDED THEY ARE SAFE TO EAT DURING PREGNANCY, OF COURSE)
What a woman eats during pregnancy not only nourishes the growing fetus in utero, but it can also shape their food preferences later in life. While still in the womb, babies ingest several ounces of the surrounding amniotic fluid on a daily basis. As amniotic fluid is actually flavored by the foods and beverages the gestational carrier has consumed in the last few hours, by encouraging them to eat some of your favorites, this is a fantastic way for you to bond with your growing child even before they’re born.
As the Proverb states, it takes a village to raise a child. But sometimes, it also takes a village to have a child. Gestational surrogacy is a uniquely beautiful experience for both gestational carriers (GCs) and the intended parents (IPs). Bonding with the baby-to-be is a great privilege that ALL parents should get to experience. If you have suggestions on other ways you, as intended parents, have successfully bonded with your growing fetus, we’d love to hear them!