Hi, I’m Francien Regelink, a 40-year-old author and educator from the Netherlands. I visit schools to talk with young people about online shaming. Together with my partner, I have been dreaming of becoming a mother for more than 10 years.

Recently, we lost yet another pregnancy. It was our sixth miscarriage. Behind us are 3 D&Cs, 5 IVF cycles and treatments in 13 hospitals across the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Turkey. Now my doctors have confirmed what I feared most: I will almost certainly never be able to carry a pregnancy myself.

Pregnancy loss

Each time, I got pregnant and saw a heartbeat, and each time I lost it around week 7. The embryos were healthy. The cause is still unknown.

Surrogacy as our last change

Surrogacy is now our last chance to have a child. In the Netherlands it isn’t possible for me: the medical conditions are very strict, and because my miscarriages are unexplained, I don’t qualify. That’s why my partner and I are turning to surrogacy in the United States. It’s a journey of at least 1 to 2 years, and the costs are far beyond what we can manage alone. My savings have already gone to previous treatments.

Why is the goal so high?

Our total need is estimated at approx. $138,000 – $230,000 (€120,000 – €200,000). GoFundMe raises the visible goal step by step as donations come in. Please note: this fundraiser is in euros, and your card will be charged the equivalent in your own currency.

Estimated costs of surrogacy in the US (approx.):

• Surrogate compensation: $52,000 – $86,000

• Agency: $35,000 – $63,000

• Medical (IVF and treatments): $29,000 – $46,000

• Insurance & hospital: $23,000 – $46,000

• ⚖️ Legal: $8,000 – $17,000

• ✈️ Travel & accommodation: $6,000 – $17,000

• Unforeseen costs: $12,000 – $29,000

What if there’s money left over?

If any funds remain after the process, we’ll decide together with our supporters on a fitting destination, such as a (partial) refund or a donation to a related cause.

Thank you

Every donation, big or small, brings us one step closer. And sharing this page helps just as much. ❤️

Thank you.

Love,

Francien

Follow our journey on Instagram: @francienregelink

P.S. I want to thank all our followers, donors, readers, colleagues, friends and family who have been there for us day and night with kind words, support and messages over the past while.

P.P.S. We also have a Dutch GoFundMe running for the same journey: https://www.gofundme.com/f/eindelijk-een-kindje-via-draagmoederschap . We were advised to create a separate international GoFundMe to reach even more people who would like to support us. Both pages support the same surrogacy journey, so please choose whichever one you prefer.

P.P.P.S. Do you have questions or anything to add, or are you going through the same thing? Please feel free to send me a DM on Instagram @francienregelink.