A mum became a surrogate because she "loves" being pregnant - and can't wait to do it again. Yessenia Latorre, 25, felt the “urge” to be pregnant again after the birth of her second son, Trey, three, but didn't want have another child of her own at the time.
The mum-of-two, who has eldest Tyson, five, had always been fascinated by surrogacy and after being an egg donor she applied to be a gestational carrier with the support of her husband, also called Trey, 27. Yessenia picked a couple who were willing to allow her to see photos of their baby and stay in touch, and after meeting them fell pregnant after an egg transfer in June 2022.
Yessenia had the “best pregnancy” and shared updates with the couple throughout the nine months – and a 3D scan in person. She held the baby boy when he was born on February 18 2023, and has stayed in touch with the family, frequently receiving updates.
Yessenia was paid $40k to be a surrogate and recieved $800 in expenses and $1,500 in gifts throughout the pregnancy. Yessenia, a surrogate educator, from Louisville, Georgia, US, said: “After my second son I felt an urge to be pregnant again.
“I love pregnancy. I feel beautiful pregnant. I wanted to be pregnant but I wasn’t trying to have another child. I wanted to be a surrogate. I spoke to my husband and he was extremely supportive. I got to hold him after he was born.
“I never felt a maternal bond but I cared for him. His parents are going to give the baby the world. I felt so proud and accomplished. What I gave them is truly priceless.”
Yessenia found a couple to match with after joining SurrogateFirst and completing the application and psychological analysis. She met the prospective parents in November 2021 over zoom and in person for the first time in May 2022.
For Yessenia, it was important she would be able to stay in contact with the family she chose to be a surrogate for. She said: “I said I would love to receive photos of their baby. They said I was welcome to attend birthday parties.”
Yessenia underwent the egg transfer in June 2022 and found out she was pregnant five days later – confirmed by a blood test after two weeks. The couple were “so happy” and sent her a bouquet of flowers and a spa gift card.
Yessenia went to most of the doctors appointments herself but was able to share a 20-week 3D scan with the couple and text every day. The couple paid Yessenia the base surrogacy compensation of $40 as well as expenses such as $800 for maternity clothing.
She said: “I loved the pregnancy. It was the best pregnancy I have had. I felt really good and really happy.”
Yessenia went to Northside Hospital, Georgia, after having contractions overnight, in February 2023. Her husband, Trey, who works for a solar company, and the mum were in the room when Yessenia gave birth.
Yessenia said: “He was perfect when he came out. He did skin-to-skin with his mum. It was a really beautiful moment.
“Then I got to hold him. I did care for him but I never felt like he was mine. He’s so blessed.”
Yessenia gets updates all the time and has been on an “emotional high” since. Despite being paid to be a surrogate, Yessenia sees it as a “bonus”.
She said: “If you’re truly doing it for the money it wouldn’t be worth it. Being pregnant - it did effect my life. I was tired playing with my children.
"My husband was so supportive. I told my kids 'mum is pregnant but it's not our baby'. They seemed to understand that the baby wasn't coming home with us."
Yessenia would “love” to do be a surrogate again in the future but isn’t ready yet. Now she is working as a surrogacy educator to break the “taboo”.
Yessenia said: “It exceeded my expectations.” In the UK it is illegal to pay a surrogate, except for their reasonable expenses. Gestational surrogacy is permitted in Georgia and most surrogates are paid.
