Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a beautiful thing. A woman is growing a whole new life inside her. However, the process can be very intense and sometimes even dangerous for the mother. With the body going through many changes she has never experienced before.
Getting Bigger
Candice was just half way through her pregnancy when she realized her pregnant belly was much bigger than other women’s at that stage. Concerned, she scheduled an ultrasound to make sure everything was okay with her baby.
The Ultrasound
Candice really just made the appointment to help her feel better about her worries. She didn’t expect anything to be wrong with her babies. That was, until the technician called for the doctor after seeing the baby on the screen.
Waiting for the Doctor
When Candice asked if everything was okay, the nurse didn’t say anything. She wanted to wait until the doctor came in to give her an answer.
Starting a Family
Candice always wanted a family. Her parents were just 16 years old when they met and they raised a beautiful family. While excited to start her own family, Candice didn’t expect her pregnancy to be this painful.
Candice’s Sister
Candice’s sister followed their parents and married her high school sweetheart. Candice was just 14 years old when her sister married and moved out of the house. They were close, but rarely saw each other. So, one day Candice bought a bus ticket and traveled to see her sister.
Unexpected Surprise
When Candice arrived at her sister’s house, she noticed her brother-in-law speeding away from the house in his truck. Confused, Candice went inside and found her sister crying.
The Truth
After calming her sister down, Candice finally got some answers about what had happened. It turns out her sister asked her husband to leave, but Candice was still unclear about why.
Struggles
Candice’s sister and her husband were trying to have a baby. They were already doing IVF, but it wasn’t working and her husband wanted to take out another loan for it. They were both very frustrated with their results.
Success
After two years of IVF, Candice’s sister found out she was pregnant. The couple was happier than ever, until they received some bad news.
Miscarriage
In her first trimester, Candice’s sister suffered a miscarriage. She was devastated. She became depressed and pulled away from her friends and family.
Finding a Surrogate
Candice’s sister’s husband had a great idea. He talked to his sister and convinced her to be a surrogate for his baby. She was happy to do it.
Inspired
Inspired by her sister’s story and the hardships she went through, Candice decided she wanted to become a surrogate and help out other families who had trouble getting pregnant. “I was only 21 at the time, but I wasn’t interested in partying and drinking. I wanted to help another couple fulfill their family dream,” she said.
Joanna and Steve
At just 21 years old, Candice met Joanna and Steve, a couple who needed her help. They were kind and loving and she was happy to help them. She was able to carry their baby through the first trimester, but during the second trimester, she felt something was wrong.
News from the Doctor
The doctor finally entered the examination room where Candice was waiting patiently after her ultrasound. The doctor simply looked down at the clipboard before telling her the news.
Triplets
It turns out Candice’s growing belly was because there were three babies inside! She couldn’t believe it. Candice called Joanna and Steve right away.
Surrogacy
Candice loved that she could help a couple in need. However, she realized that while her body was carrying these babies, they were not hers. When it came to decisions like vaccinations and birth plans, she let Joanna and Steve answer.
The Triplets are Born
Candice gave birth to the triplets without complication. They weighed 4 pounds 2 ounces, 3 pounds 7 ounces, and 3 pounds 11 ounces, so they had to stay in the hospital for two weeks before they could be brought home. This is normal for triplets, though.
Daisy, Harrison, and Willow
Joanna and Steve welcomed their new babies home. They named them, Daisy, Harrison, and Willow. Candice claims that this was one of the best experiences of her life and she couldn’t be happier to have done it.
Receiving Updates
Candice still gets updates about the babies and comes to visit once a year. “I think a lot of people presume you have to use your own eggs when you’re a surrogate, but that’s not the case at all. I had Joanna and Steve’s embryo inserted in Los Angeles so it’s biologically their child, not mine. I was just the host womb,” Candice explains.