Betrayed After Birth: A Surrogate’s Nightmare

I gave everything — my body, my time, and my heart — to help someone become a parent. I never imagined the price I’d pay would be betrayal, heartbreak, and financial devastation.

This was supposed to be a beautiful surrogacy journey. But instead, it became a nightmare I’m still trying to wake up from.

My Story:

I carried a baby for someone else — someone who I believed truly wanted to be a father. I nurtured that child with love and care, through every ache, every complication, every sleepless night. I held on to hope, even through a painful and traumatic delivery.

But right before the birth, without telling me, the intended parent quietly removed me from his insurance. I didn’t even know until the hospital bills started pouring in. Thousands of dollars. And now, I’m completely responsible — left alone to deal with it all.

After I gave birth, he took the baby and vanished. No final payment. No explanation. No response. Just gone.

I spent three painful weeks around the clock every 1-2 hours pumping breast milk for his baby — thinking I was doing the right thing. I bought two coolers, dry ice, and a breast pump — all out of my own pocket — believing I’d be reimbursed because the dad said to still ship the milk. But just like the promises, that too disappeared.

I gave everything — and I was left with nothing.

How it’s affected my Family:

This experience has deeply affected my entire household. My other half has stood by me, watching me crumble physically and emotionally. My children — especially my 6-year-old — are left confused and heartbroken. They saw me pregnant, saw the baby for a moment, and then suddenly… nothing.

My youngest still asks where the baby is and why we didn’t get to say goodbye. They don’t understand, and honestly — I don’t know how to explain it.

What I’m Facing Now:

• Mounting medical bills because I was removed from coverage before birth

• The cost of the pumping around the clock every 1-2 hours, pump itself, shipping supplies, and equipment I was never paid back for

• Unpaid surrogate compensation for months of sacrifice and labor

• Emotional trauma and hormone shifts from postpartum with no baby to hold

• Mental health therapy to help cope with the betrayal and loss

• Legal consultations to seek justice and hold him accountable. (The only lawyer in our jurisdiction to litigate for the surrogacy is quoting $400 an hour.)

I was treated like a vessel — used, discarded, and ignored — after doing one of the most selfless things a person can do.

Why I’m Asking for Help:

I never thought I’d be in this position. But I need help to recover — emotionally, financially, physically. I’m asking for support to help me heal, regain my strength, and make it through this chapter with dignity.

Your donation will go toward the medical bills, mental health care, legal advice, and the losses I’ve suffered at the hands of someone who should have valued this life-changing gift.

Even if you can’t donate, sharing this story means everything to me. I want others to know the risks surrogates can face — especially when left without agency support or legal protection.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. Thank you for helping me find my voice again.

With love and hope,

Carissa