Two Women, One Dream: Celebrating Mother’s Day Through Surrogacy

As Told by Rebecca and Irene, ConceiveAbilities Intended Mother and Surrogate

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we are honored to share the remarkable story of two extraordinary women whose lives became beautifully intertwined through the gift of surrogacy. This Mother’s Day is especially meaningful for Rebecca, who is celebrating her first as a mother after welcoming her son, Roman. A teacher and devoted mother of four, Irene felt called to help another family experience the joy of parenthood — a reflection of her deep-rooted family values and natural care for others.

Together, they formed a bond built on courage, compassion, and shared purpose. Their story is one of trust, transformation, and the power of women supporting women — making this Mother’s Day a celebration of not just one, but two extraordinary mothers.

🎧Listen to their full story on our special Mother’s Day podcast.

Rebecca’s Path to Surrogacy: A Medical Journey

Nazca Fontes (NF): Rebecca, please tell us about your journey to surrogacy.

Rebecca: I was diagnosed with epilepsy in college and tried nearly every medication before finding one that worked. Unfortunately, my medication wasn’t compatible with pregnancy. I could get pregnant, but it wouldn’t lead to a successful delivery.

Although I’ve never been pregnant, I could already imagine the added stress pregnancy would put on my body. Given that my body struggled to manage seizures on its own, I knew adding pregnancy to the mix would only increase the risk and make a successful outcome unlikely. Because of this, my husband and I knew early on that surrogacy was our path to parenthood.

NF: What made you decide to use a surrogacy agency for your journey?

Rebecca: A close friend offered to be our surrogate, but after learning about the legal and logistical complexities, we realized it wasn’t something her family could do at that time. That experience taught us a lot, and ultimately led us to work with ConceiveAbilities Egg Donor and Surrogacy Agency. We had to start over, but we went into it with so much more knowledge.

Meet Irene: A Heart Made to Help

NF: Irene, please tell us about yourself.

Irene: I have four kids of my own — yes, they’re wild and crazy, but they are absolutely amazing. My husband and I met in 6th grade, and we’ve been together ever since. People are always amazed when I tell them I knew I was going to marry him the moment I saw him. I used to be a teacher, and my middle school students would ask, “You met your husband in middle school? How did that happen?” I’d just say, “It happens!”

NF: What inspired you to become a surrogate?

Irene: I’ve always loved being pregnant and felt a deep calling to help others build their families. I also witnessed the struggles of people I love: Two of my aunts faced ovarian cancer and had to undergo complete removal surgeries, and my best friend battled preeclampsia. I remember telling one of my aunts, “If you ever want to have another baby, I’ll carry for you.” While she and my uncle were incredibly grateful, they ultimately decided their family felt complete.

NF: Did your career as a teacher influence your decision to be a surrogate?

Irene: Absolutely, kids are my life. Seeing them happy brings me joy, and I can’t stand to see them sad. As a teacher, it’s in my nature to help. Surrogacy felt like the perfect way to extend that care and support to others. I also credit my strong Latino heritage for instilling in me a deep appreciation for family and a commitment to helping others.

When I met Rebecca and Brian, I knew right away that they were going to be amazing parents. From our very first meeting, I looked at my husband and said, “They’re the ones.”

The Matching Process: Finding a Perfect Fit

NF: Rebecca, what was the surrogacy matching process like for you and Brian?

Rebecca: I ended our first call feeling completely giddy and so full of hope and excitement. We were both definitely nervous going into that first meeting. It really did feel like a first date! But once we started talking, everything just flowed. We discovered we had so much in common — at one point, I mentioned something about wanting a goat farm, and Irene said, “We have goats!” We both laughed and immediately felt this connection.

There were also wild coincidences: I was born in San Antonio, Texas and Irene and Nick live in San Antonio. The idea that my son might be born in the same city where I was born — it just felt like fate.

What truly moved me was hearing Irene share why she was doing this. I’ll never forget her words: She said she just wanted to bring that “Christmas morning feeling” to someone else, and that she was simply the vessel to help bring our baby into the world. I got off the call and cried. My husband and I looked at each other and said, “That was incredible.” I called my mom and aunts right after — everyone was in tears.

Building the Relationship: Nurturing a Growing Connection

NF: How did you nurture your relationship early on?

Rebecca: The first time we met in person for Irene’s initial medical screening was really special. It gave us the opportunity to truly sit down together, face-to-face. I remember thinking, Wow, she’s such a kind soul. That in-person connection was the first real step in deepening the relationship.

If I’m being completely honest, in the beginning, I held back emotionally. I treated the process almost like a business transaction. I was scared. I’d seen so many people around me struggle with fertility, and I knew all too well how things can go wrong. I didn’t want to get too attached too soon. That started to change around the 20-week mark. Brian and I decided to fly down to Texas for the anatomy scan. Seeing our baby on the screen was the first time I really let myself feel joy. It finally felt real. I allowed myself to get excited.

NF: Irene, did you sense that Rebecca was emotionally holding back in the beginning?

Irene: I did. We were always open and transparent with each other, which is so important. It was a continuous process of reassurance — not just for her, but for all of us. I understand the fear; I’ve been through a miscarriage myself, and I know how many things can go wrong.

When they came down for the 20-week appointment, I could see the joy in their faces. There was this sense of relief, like they could finally breathe. Tears welled up in my eyes. I turned to my husband and whispered, “Oh my God, that was the best feeling ever”. Watching them look at their son on that screen, and knowing they could finally breathe– it was everything. You could see the weight lifting from their shoulders. It was such a beautiful moment.

Rebecca: Irene was absolutely amazing throughout the entire process. She kept us updated with pictures, videos, all the details, and always followed up with updates. She made everything so smooth and seamless. Since this was our first child, we had no idea what to expect, and she was incredible at explaining everything to us. She told us what to expect, what to bring, and what would happen when we arrived at the hospital. It was a godsend to have her walk us through everything. She made the whole experience feel seamless and comforting.

Finding Support and Strength in Surrogacy

NF: Irene, how did you prepare yourself, mentally and emotionally, for your very first surrogacy journey?

Irene: My faith is a big part of who I am. I prayed a lot for guidance to make sure this was the right decision for me and my family. Mentally, I approached it with a clear heart. I knew this wasn’t my baby and I was doing this so someone else could feel that overwhelming, instant love when their baby is placed on their chest for the first time. That was the moment I wanted them to have.

Preparing my family, especially my dad, was a bit more challenging. It wasn’t that he didn’t support me, he just didn’t fully understand what surrogacy meant or how it worked. That part was hard. Deep down, I knew my purpose. I knew I wanted to give someone else the kind of joy I’ve experienced as a mom. That was the reason behind everything.

NF: Did your dad ever meet Rebecca and Brian, and how did he come along in terms of acceptance?

Irene: They did meet — just a couple of weeks before Roman was born. Both of our families came together, and it was such a beautiful moment.

Before that, I had to sit down with my dad and really explain everything to him how surrogacy worked. I had to go all the way back to the basics — like, “Dad, every woman has eggs, every man has sperm,” just to help him understand that this baby wasn’t biologically mine. My egg was not used to create the embryo. I was carrying someone else’s child, giving them their baby, not mine.

Once I explained it in really simple, clear terms, something clicked for him. Then when he met Rebecca and Brian it all came together. He saw their hearts, he saw their love, and I think that’s when it truly made sense to him why I was doing this.

The Birth of Roman: A Shared Miracle

NF: What was Roman’s birth experience like?

Rebecca: The night before Roman’s birth we had dinner with Irene, Nick, and their kids. We played games, laughed, and made memories. The next morning in the hospital was surreal. The room was quiet, dimly lit — and it felt like time was suspended. Irene was so calm, so composed. Meanwhile, I kept asking, “What’s happening now?” or “What does that mean?”

Hours passed, and around 5:00 PM, Roman was born — on 5/5 at 5:11. It all happened so fast. Suddenly, the room filled with people. The doctor practically flew in and it was this blur of organized chaos.

I was so nervous, but Irene was amazing. She kept reminding the doctors that the baby was to go directly to me for skin-to-skin. She was so intentional, making sure there was a room ready for us, advocating for what mattered most. When Roman was placed in my arms everything was perfect. I felt so supported, and so grateful.

Later, we all sat together — me, Brian, Irene, and Nick — soaking it all in. I turned to Irene and said, “Do you want to hold him?”, and placed Roman in her arms. That moment was everything I had dreamed of. It was amazing.

NF: Irene, how was the birth experience for you?

Irene: It was everything. I had been so firm about wanting Rebecca to experience skin-to-skin, and I made sure the nurses knew the baby should go to her first. That was my full-circle moment. Yes, there were challenges. Yes, pregnancy takes a toll on your body. But when I saw Irene holding her son, it meant the world to me. I cry just thinking about it. It was exactly what I had envisioned throughout this entire journey: witnessing that immediate, undeniable love. My husband and I stood there crying, we were all so overwhelmed by the beauty of the moment.

Forever Connected: Life After Delivery

NF: Rebecca, what are some of your thoughts on surrogacy as you celebrate your first Mothers day?

Rebecca: Surrogacy is unconditional love. Not only did we experience unconditional love for our son, but we also formed a deep connection with our surrogate. Creating that bond with Irene and Nick was a completely new kind of love. It’s like experiencing two new kinds of love in one. It’s not just the love for our son, but also this newfound love for the incredible family that will always be a part of our lives.

NF: Do you have any advice for parents considering surrogacy?

Rebecca: Do it. Go into it with an open mind and a full heart. Take time to research, talk to others who’ve been through it, and ask questions. Surrogacy is an incredible journey, and it is truly life-changing.

From day one, ConceiveAbilities made the surrogacy process feel so much less daunting. The support we received was amazing — every step of the way, we felt like we had a team who genuinely cared and had our best interests at heart. You gain so much more than just a child. Yes, there can be hard moments, but the joy and fulfillment at the end far outweigh any fear or uncertainty. So be informed, stay curious, and trust the process — it’s so incredibly worth it.

NF: Irene, do you have any advice for women considering being a surrogate?

Irene: Do your research and make sure you have a strong support system — a solid foundation you can lean on, especially if others start to question your choices. Having clarity and confidence matters. A strong support system is essential. Building a relationship with the intended parents can also make the journey even more meaningful. Above all else, go into it wholeheartedly. Becoming a surrogate is a big decision: It is life-changing, deeply important, and incredibly rewarding.

Reflections on Motherhood and Surrogacy

NF: Irene, on this Mother’s Day, what advice do you have for Rebecca?

Irene: My advice is to soak it all in, every little moment. Take a deep breath and trust yourself. Yes, you’ll make mistakes (we all do), but don’t be too hard on yourself. Love your son with everything you’ve got. It goes by in the blink of an eye.

NF: Rebecca, what message do you want to send to Irene on this Mother’s day?

Rebecca: I cannot thank you enough. I can’t believe where we’re at right now. It’s all because of you and your husband Nick, and it truly means the world to us. Ten months ago, this didn’t feel like a real possibility, but you made it come true. We hope that you both will always be in our lives. You really gave us the world.