When Michayla first considered becoming a surrogate, it was because of the people she loved most. “Family members who couldn’t have kids inspired me,” she says. She had seen their quiet heartache up close, and it planted a seed in her heart, a desire to help someone else experience the joy of becoming a parent.
Years later, that seed had grown into a deep calling. By the time she began her third surrogacy journey, Michayla was no stranger to the process. She understood the commitment, the trust, and the emotional investment it required. But every journey is unique, and this one would take place under extraordinary circumstances.
The Match That Felt Right
From the moment she learned about the intended parents, Michayla felt a mix of anticipation and nerves. “I was so excited to meet a family that I could help and get to know their story,” she recalls. The only thing that worried her was the language barrier, but she quickly found that compassion and kindness don’t need translation.
That first meeting turned into a shared commitment to bring a baby boy into the world, and Michayla was determined to carry him with all the care she would for her own children.
Michayla moments after delivery, holding the surro baby she carried through her third journey.
Balancing Two Worlds
Surrogacy isn’t a separate chapter in life, it’s woven into the everyday. While Michayla went to appointments, managed medications, and counted down the weeks until delivery, she was also caring for her own family. Her loved ones were cautious at first, unsure of what the process would mean for her health, but their excitement grew alongside hers.
The surrogacy compensation provided a life-changing benefit: the ability to put a down payment on a home. “That’s something that will stay with my family forever,” she says.
Milestones and Moments
Michayla’s third journey was full of milestones, like the first ultrasound, the moment she felt the baby kick, and hearing his strong heartbeat. But one memory outshines them all: “It was beautiful to see them with the baby they had been waiting on for so long.” That moment in the delivery room was the culmination of months of teamwork, hope, and love.
A new chapter begins for the family who waited so long to hold him.
An Unexpected Challenge
The timing of the birth made this journey unlike any she had experienced before. The baby arrived during the COVID pandemic, and travel restrictions meant his parents couldn’t take him home immediately. That’s when her case manager, Vicky, stepped in without hesitation, caring for the newborn until the family could be reunited.
“Vicky was amazing from start to finish, and well after my journey,” Michayla says.
To this day, she still receives photos and updates, watching the little boy she carried grow and thrive.
A bright future ahead for the baby whose story began with hope and a surrogate’s selfless heart.
Lessons for Future Surrogates
Surrogacy taught Michayla more than she could have imagined. “I have learned how passionate I am about helping others,” she shares. For those considering this path, her advice is simple but powerful:
“Be patient and go with the flow. Things don’t always go as planned, but keep going!”
She also wants people to understand an important truth: embryos are created before transfer and are not genetically related to the surrogate—a fact many don’t realize.
One year later—celebrating the first of many milestones for the little boy whose life began with a surrogate’s gift.
A Journey That Changed Everything
Although she would love to carry again, a serious hemorrhage during delivery means it wouldn’t be safe for her to do so. Still, she holds this journey close to her heart, describing it in one word: beautiful.
“Surrogacy is beautiful and it’s so rewarding to see a family with a baby they have been waiting on for so long,” Michayla says. Her story is proof that the impact of surrogacy lasts far beyond the delivery room—changing not just the lives of intended parents, but the lives of everyone who plays a part in making that dream a reality.
At Shining Light Baby, we’re grateful for Michayla’s selflessness and honored to share her story, knowing it will inspire others to consider the extraordinary gift of surrogacy.