Tips for Intended Parents to Prepare for Parenthood

Key Points

• Understand the changes coming, be ready for a different lifestyle, and discuss roles and responsibilities within the household.
• Build a support network among friends, family or professionals to navigate the challenges of parenthood.
• Don’t hesitate to reach out to various support systems, including partners, friends, family, surrogacy professionals or counselors if you require guidance or assistance.

While it’s easy to get caught up in the world of surrogacy, it is also important to think about your next steps once your baby finally arrives.

You can get great advice about preparing for this part of your surrogacy journey by talking to a surrogacy professional. Continue reading to discover ways to ensure you are ready when it’s time to bring your new baby home.

Speak with a specialist today!

Parenthood Through Surrogacy is Valid

Becoming a parent through surrogacy is a profound and equally valid path to parenthood as any traditional means. While the journey might differ, the depth of love, commitment and the desire to nurture and raise a child remains the same. Surrogacy offers an opportunity for couples facing fertility challenges, same-sex couples, or hopeful single parents to realize their dreams of parenthood.

The process involves careful planning, emotional investment and a loving bond with the child, the same as the journey of any expecting parent. The joy and dedication poured into the anticipation of a child, whether through surrogacy or natural means, hold equal weight and significance in shaping the lives of both the parents and the new addition to the family.

Helpful Intended Parent Tips

There’s a lot of accessible information that can help you prepare for parenthood. Some of the most useful tips include the following:

1. Read

There are thousands of pages in books and on the Internet dedicated to newborn care and parenting. While all this information can be overwhelming, it may be a good idea to read one or two of them to help you know what to expect when parenting your newborn.

2. Find Classes and Services

Contact your hospital, pediatrician, local school district or county family services office to find parenting classes and other resources available in your community. Many can direct you to classes you can take to prepare for your baby’s arrival, as well as services that may be important to you once your baby is here. Find additional training suggestions under “Resources for Intended Parents” below.

3. Prepare for Changes

At least for the first few months after your baby arrives, your life will probably revolve around your new little one. Be prepared for middle-of-the-night feedings and a restricted social schedule, and discuss childcare roles, responsibilities and expectations with other members of the household ahead of time.

4. Prepare to Bring Your Baby Home

During the pregnancy, start gathering essential items, like a crib and stroller, and decorate your nursery. This step is necessary in physically providing for your new child, but it will also help you get into the mindset of being parents.

5. Find Support

Parenthood can be overwhelming, and friends and family members know that. Be willing to accept help and build a support system for when your baby comes home.

6. Keep an Open Mind

You will likely have an idea of how you want to parent, but be prepared to go with the flow. No matter how prepared you feel, you will face challenges, and you may need to adapt your parenting style and let go of some control. Just remember that it will be okay if things don’t turn out exactly as planned.

7. Enjoy the Journey

While you may not get to experience the pregnancy firsthand, you do have nine months (or longer) to mentally and emotionally prepare for your baby’s arrival. Be as involved as you can during your surrogate’s pregnancy, enroll in registries and have a baby shower to help you get excited about your little one. The more involved you are in prenatal care and preparation, the more “real” your impending parenthood will become.

Resources for Intended Parents

As your baby’s due date approaches, you may begin to feel more nervous about assuming your new role as parents. However, there is no shortage of advice from the experts who have been there, and knowing what to expect may help put your mind at ease. Here are some of the top educational resources for new parents:

Books

• Baby 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year by Denise Fields and Ari Brown
• Your Baby’s First Year Week by Week by Glade B. Curtis and Judith Schuler
• What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel
• The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two by William Sears, Martha Sears, Robert Sears and James Sears

Websites

• Baby Center
• What to Expect
• Parents

Classes and Services

• National Parenting Education Network: NPEN is a national umbrella organization that links parents and parenting education professionals to local community services and support.
• Mommybites: Every month, Mommybites offers free online tele-classes, webinars and written information on parenting, as well as paid private one-on-one phone or Skype sessions with parenting experts.

Preparing for Your Parenthood Journey

There is no such thing as a “perfect parent.” Every parenting experience is different, and in the end, nothing can quite prepare you for all of the joys and challenges that your child will bring you. If you are struggling or need additional information, reach out to your partner, friends, family members, surrogacy professional or family counselor for help.

Are you interested in learning more about surrogacy or starting the process? Complete our form to request free surrogacy information now.