This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, address: billelliot@elliot.com.
First paperback edition November 2024
Book illustration by Katie Brust
ISBN 978-1-5011-7321-9 (paperback) this will need to be updated when the purchase is made
Website – Stephanie, we can list the FB page or add a qr code that would go to Link Tree or another contact for you.
Stephanie Witte, Author.
The End.
Lily- 18
Being in a family that has had a few different experiences with having my mom be a surrogate has been so much fun. At first, you might be a little nervous that your mom is going to be taking some of her focus on you, and instead giving it to the baby in her tummy. Although she is caring for that baby, she still has so much love and care for you too! And never forget YOU are just as special and the new baby will never take that away from that. I loved getting to experience something that not a lot of kids get to see, and it is a truly amazing thing to get to explore.
Joselyn- 13
Surrogacy scared me at first. I thought it meant that my mom would just give babies away, but it’s so much different than that. I loved it from the beginning of my mom being pregnant to the birth itself. It’s so much fun to see all of the pictures in the ultrasounds. Surrogacy is such an incredible experience for the whole family, and I loved it all so much.
Sophia-11
For me, surrogacy was a fun experience, but it was also kind of scary. It was hard to know that the baby was not ours. I was so proud of my mom when she would do it, and I’m really thankful that she did. We have met amazing people through surrogacy. Sometimes it would be hard to know that there is a chance that my mother could have died during surrogacy because people can die from pregnancy, but she didn’t, and she helped many people through her surrogacy journey.
Brian Jr.- 10
Surrogacy to me is helping someone who wants a baby, get a baby without adoption or any other way of getting a child. When my mom has a baby in her tummy, we as in my family call the baby “a bun in the oven”. There are some good things and bad things about surrogacy. Some of the good things are that we all get to meet new people and the bad sides of surrogacy is it makes me sad that my mom has to go through pain with shots but I’m so happy when the shots get over.
Brian Sr.- A Husband’s perspective
When my wife told me that she wanted to be a surrogate I had many questions. I barely knew what a surrogate was, let alone how the process worked. It was hard for my mind the wrap around the idea that my wife was going to grow a baby for 9 months and give birth to it, and then we would come home without a baby. As a father, my brain thinks that if I see my wife give birth, the next step is to bring a baby home. It helped me knowing that the baby was genetically theirs. What really made it magical for me though, was seeing the other family get to hold their baby for the first time. To get to see them grow and connect to a baby that wouldn’t have been possible without the help of this magical wife of mine.
The role of the surrogate’s husband isn’t always easy, but when you compare it to what the surrogate is going through, it makes it seem much more manageable. I personally don’t like giving shots. Something I would have never even known, but over the course of many surrogacy journeys I have now given hundreds of shots to my wife. It’s a difficult part of the process as the surrogate’s lower back will be sore and tender from the multiple shots, and yet you still have to continue to give more. It makes the graduation from this part of the process is all the sweeter.
In the end, nothing compares to the magical part of the labor process. Seeing a family get to hold their baby that they never thought possible. The gaining of new members of your family as you build life long relationships with the family’s you help grow. There is nothing else in the world like it.
Sergio (from Argentina) – Intended Father from Stephanie’s First Surrogacy Journey
An endless love journey. An infinite kindness and love that changed my life forever. This is what surrogacy is to me. It is a miracle that would not exist without the special people who participate.
I wanted to have children and a family, and I achieved it with a woman who taught me that love can do anything. She told me, “Here I am to make your dream come true,” and we succeeded. I had the children I wanted so much thanks to her. After my babies were born, I realized that we are a family forever! It is such a special and incredibly beautiful bond that can only be explained with the heart. My children are growing up, and they already understand that without the help of this special being, they would not have come into this world. We keep in constant contact, and every time we see each other, our hearts explode with joy.
As natural as life itself, surrogacy can only be fully understood if you see it through the eyes of the heart. I have eternal gratitude to that woman, who in my case, has two names: Samantha and Stephanie. We are blessed to have you and your families in our lives! I love you both forever.
Katie Brust - Illustrator
I was honored to be included in the creation of this book for many reasons, but most of all because surrogacy allowed my cousins to be brought into this world. Especially as we transition into adulthood and share stories about our passions and dreams, I can’t imagine how differently my life would look without them. This also allowed us to understand the many ways families can be created. It feels as though I am illustrating this book for my own younger self. I cannot put into words how meaningful that is. I hope this book helps people find joy, understanding and a broader sense of family.
About Stephanie
Stephanie Witte was born and raised in South Dakota. She has always had a passion for helping others and giving of herself has given her a wealth of experiences that have shaped her into the person she is today.
From a young age, Stephanie harbored ambitions of becoming a forensic scientist, driven by a desire to contribute to justice and help society by apprehending wrongdoers. This aspiration led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Forensic Science from Colorado Technical University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Life took an unexpected turn when Stephanie embarked on the journey of motherhood. Balancing her career aspirations with the responsibilities of raising a family became a challenge, especially when faced with the daunting task of finding suitable daycare for her children. This challenge inspired her to open her own state-certified, in-home daycare in July 2010. Over the course of 12 years, she nurtured and cared for numerous children. Through this experience, Stephanie gained a profound understanding of the importance of providing children with a safe, supportive environment where they could thrive and grow.
In 2018, Stephanie’s passion for helping others was reignited when she felt compelled to become a gestational surrogate. Driven by a desire to assist individuals or couples struggling with infertility, she embarked on a remarkable journey, delivering babies for intended parents across the globe. Despite facing challenges along the way, Stephanie’s commitment to helping others build their families remained unshaken.
Throughout her surrogacy journeys, Stephanie’s own family stood by her side, experiencing a range of emotions and challenges unique to their situation. Recognizing the importance of open communication and inclusion, Stephanie aims to spread awareness about alternative paths to parenthood and foster understanding among families.
Stephanie’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of empathy and compassion. By sharing her experiences, she hopes to inspire others to embrace the diversity of family structures and celebrate the unique beauty of every individual journey.
