woman who would have Beltos’ fully fertilized embryo implanted into her uterus and would carry and deliver the baby for her and her husband.
She enlisted the help of Lotus Blossom Consulting to find the perfect match. “When looking for a surrogate, I wanted to find someone who had similar health habits and values but was like-minded in how I am as a woman and a mom,” explains Beltsos.
After choosing a surrogate, but being qualified to manage a pregnancy, Beltsos worked hard to surrender control and develop a trust that the woman carrying her baby would make good decisions. “I tried not to micromanage her or her doctor,” explains Beltsos.
Beatrice Georgia “Tris” (middle name) was born February in 2015.
“This was a magical experience for our entire family,” explains Beltsos. We were able to have a healthy baby girl, while welcoming our surrogate and her family to ours. I never expected to feel such a bond with the woman carrying our baby, and I am truly grateful.”
Beltsos’ surrogate, also inspired by the experience, decided to pursue a bigger family, and has welcomed two additional kids with her husband since 2015.
While surrogacy was once considered taboo, it has gained more acceptance in the past 10 years. But even being in the medical field, Beltsos was met with comments of concerns. “I still hear comments about how people can’t believe that my husband and I actually trusted someone to carry our baby and why in the world we would hang a picture of her in our home,” explains Beltsos. “We didn’t and will not let other people’s opinions distract us from our own personal goals and dreams. We will celebrate our gestational carrier’s willingness to bring life to our beautiful baby.”
Beltsos and her surrogate stay in touch and she keeps her photo on display in her Glenview home amongst family photos. “She IS family,” adds Beltsos.
Vios Fertility Institute is a woman- owned Midwest based clinic with 9 offices in the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis regions. At Vios, doctors are committed to helping patients find their way to fertility health and treatment with the highest chance of success by providing them with innovative, scientific, cutting-edge treatment options along with an unparalleled patient experience. www.viosfertility.com