{"id":1109,"date":"2021-12-22T13:58:41","date_gmt":"2021-12-22T13:58:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expecting.ai\/blog\/?p=1109"},"modified":"2026-08-09T07:23:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T07:23:07","slug":"a-surrogate-journey-with-elsa-hensel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expecting.ai\/blog\/my-journey\/a-surrogate-journey-with-elsa-hensel\/","title":{"rendered":"My Journey: Elsa Hensel – A Surrogate Who Traveled the Surrogacy Path Twice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Elsa, it\u2019s such a pleasure to speak with you about your surrogate journey. How did you start thinking about becoming a surrogate?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


I thought about being a surrogate<\/a> back in 2014. My son was a toddler and I couldn\u2019t imagine my life without him. I also wanted to be pregnant again so that is where it all began. I was young but it had been something I wanted to do and doing unique things fits my personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elsa<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Back in 2014 when I began, I found out I had hepatitis C during the process. I had no idea I had it so it was really a blessing to find out and potentially save my life. I was adopted from Albania at 2.5 years and in an orphanage, and that is most likely where I contracted the virus. I did the treatment and cleared it right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I went to pursue surrogacy again in 2017 and at that time was unsure but wanted to see if I was still qualified to do it. I was and I didn\u2019t think twice about doing it. I am very open to what I went through and how I got hepatitis and what I had to do for it. Thankfully, my intended parents were never worried about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
“Today the dads and I took a pregnancy test together! I am pregnant!! I had a feeling!! Now the blood draw on Monday will give us an idea of how things are looking! And then eventually we will have an ultra sound in a couple weeks. We are still early- anything can happen.”<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
12 weeks! Big milestone In surrogacy! Finished meds! <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What was the process you went through when you decided to start your journey?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


I did go through an agency that was local to me, I found them through Google. I had to apply and then get approval from my OB to carry. Once that was done, I did background checks, psychological evaluations and then medical screening at the fertility clinic<\/a>. People at the agency<\/a> helped along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elsa
” Today we are 20 weeks pregnant! This marks halfway through my pregnancy! How?! It has flown by!!! I feel so good! Heartburn was horrible for about 1-2 weeks had me throwing up now that\u2019s passed. I think baby flipped this AM as his kicks were by my ribs! \ud83d\ude31 I am feeling him kick everyday now. The dads are supposed to be here in 2 weeks- however they can\u2019t cross the border so we got some documents we needed and they are being reviewed by the consulate in Amsterdam! So fingers crossed they are able to come because we are all looking forward to it! “<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What tips would you give intended parents who are starting to look for a surrogate? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


When intended parents are starting their search, I would suggest they figure out what they are looking for in a surrogate and what their expectations are. One thing for my intended parents that was a big thing was support. Since they knew they were so far away, they wanted to make sure that I had the support I needed because they weren\u2019t able to be here. They also wanted me to have my expectations and a voice for myself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n