On May 1, Kara Erickson gave birth to a healthy baby girl and then handed her over to Josep Antonio Castell贸 Ca帽adas, a man she鈥檇 met only once before in Las Vegas.
In the fall of 2016, while at an industry trade show, Erickson, who co-owns Chilliwack鈥檚 , had a chance encounter with Nathan Chan, the managing director of in Calgary. The two鈥攚ho connected over their shared stillbirth and loss doula training鈥攂egan talking about egg donation and surrogacy, which Chan鈥檚 firm specializes in, and Erickson said she felt like she could be of help.
鈥淚鈥檇 always wanted to be a surrogate,鈥� said 28-year-old Erickson in April, while rubbing her very pregnant belly. 鈥淏ut I never pursued it鈥攊t was more like if somebody I knew needed somebody to carry for them I could do it.鈥�
But it wasn鈥檛 until Chan planted the thought did she consider doing it for a stranger.
A single mother to two boys already, Erickson knew she enjoyed pregnancy and that, based on past experiences, she wouldn鈥檛 develop any complications to worry about. 鈥淚 knew I was a good candidate and a few months (after meeting Chan), I agreed that yes, I would love to become a surrogate.鈥�
Because current Spanish laws prohibit any form of surrogacy within Spain, Josep Ca帽adas felt his only option to become a father was to seek an international surrogate.
鈥淚n Spain, I鈥檓 no couple, I鈥檓 single, so not possible, the surrogate,鈥� said Ca帽adas in broken English. 鈥淚n Canada, it鈥檚 possible for me.鈥�
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In October 2016, after a quick Google search and a few clicks, Ca帽adas found himself in contact with Chan, who agreed his company could be of service to Ca帽adas, who鈥檚 a single gay man. So after the exchange of some information, and agreeing to proceed, Ca帽adas received a copy of Erickson鈥檚 surrogate profile, which he really liked.
Just before Christmas 2016, Erickson and Ca帽adas both flew to Las Vegas so they could meet and discuss the business of making a baby for Ca帽adas.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a communication barrier,鈥� explained Erickson. 鈥淪o there was a lot of gesturing and Google Translate.鈥� But that was enough. While discussing everything they wanted to achieve during the process, the two made a connection and Erickson agreed to be Ca帽adas鈥檚 surrogate after speaking to her family about it.
And although Canada鈥檚 surrogacy laws are more open than Spain鈥檚, there are still many restrictions to overcome, such as the hurdle of being chosen鈥攅ven in Canada, many surrogate agencies choose to only work with married couples鈥攁nd the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, which permits surrogacy only if it鈥檚 altruistic.
Any compensation or reimbursement for surrogates outside of approved expenses directly related to the pregnancy is illegal. Which means although Erickson was paid for things like travel expenses, wage loss, and medical necessities, the use of her body for the development of another person鈥檚 child was totally free of charge: she did it simply because she could and it was a nice thing to do.
After their December 1016 visit in Las Vegas, Erickson began the process of getting ready to become a surrogate, which included all sorts of medical testing, losing 40 pounds, and taking medications that send most women on an unexpected hormonal rollercoaster.
But on August 16, 2017, it was all worth it when Erickson travelled back to Vegas and the five-day embryo that was transferred into her uterus and implanted.
Traditional surrogacy typically involves the surrogate鈥檚 egg being fertilized either by intrauterine insemination or in vetro fertilization, but in this case, Erickson had no biological connection to her surrogacy: the baby was conceived through the use of an egg donor and Ca帽adas鈥檚 sperm.
鈥淭his pregnancy was different (than my others),鈥� said Erickson. 鈥淭he conversations I鈥檇 have with her were different than what I had while pregnant (with my sons).鈥� Instead of talking to her belly about wanting to meet or about dreams for the future, Erickson said she鈥檇 say things like, 鈥淵our daddy is so excited to meet you!鈥�
This pregnancy was also different in that she was contractually bound to abide by the wishes of Ca帽adas. For example, while she had no intention of drinking or smoking during the pregnancy, she could have faced legal consequences had she done so.
Nevertheless, Erickson鈥檚 pregnancy continued without a hitch and was a success, and after labouring for 40 hours, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl: Cloe Castell贸 Ca帽adas.
鈥淚t was my day that I鈥檓 more happy than in my life,鈥� said Ca帽adas. 鈥淚t was my best day.鈥�
鈥淚t was an incredibly rewarding experience,鈥� Erickson added, said smiling at Cloe. 鈥淚鈥檓 just happy it all worked out.鈥�
And although Ca帽adas will be returning to Spain with Cloe at the end of May, this isn鈥檛 the end for he and Erickson, as the two have made a lasting connection and plan on keeping in contact.
鈥淛osep wants Cloe to know her birth story,鈥� said Erickson. 鈥淲e鈥檙e family now. I feel like she鈥檚 my niece and we鈥檒l always have that.鈥�
Sarah.Gawdin@theprogress.com
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