I'm a Golden Surrogate

 Frank 00:02 
Welcome to Surrogacy Talk with me, your fabulous host and family building expert, Frank Golden. I'll be talking about surrogacy, IVF, and making babies. Welcome back, everyone. For today's session, we have a really special guest here in the office today. We have the one and only Bridget Bolthouse. And say something, Bridget.
 
Bridget 00:27 
Hello.
 
Frank 00:28 
Bridget, is, um. She's a two time surrogate with us. She went through a complete journey and gave birth to a singleton, and now she's about to start her second journey. So today, we are going to talk with her, and she can explain who she is and talk about her first journey and her experience with gold and surrogacy. So without further ado, Bridget, if you just kind of want to talk about yourself.
 
Bridget 00:52 
Oh, this is fun. Hello, everyone. Thanks for having me today. This is a nice little vacation from my zoo at home. I am a mother of five. I have been married almost 13 years this year to my amazing husband, Adam. So we have five, like I said, nine, seven, six, six and five. And I like you saying I am a second time surrogate with Golden.
 
Bridget 01:20 
First surrogacy journey was amazing. Everything went perfectly, wonderfully well. She is now, what, 13 months old? Yeah, she is.
 
Frank 01:33 
She's 13 months.
 
Bridget 01:34 
January, she turned a year. It just. Yeah, it was. I don't even know how to explain it. Like, I, I really didn't have like a big, like, oh, this is what I'm expecting. So I had no idea what to expect going into this.
 
Bridget 01:49 
I just knew that this was something that I was passionate about. So I wanted to, you know, pursue this, and you guys just made it really easy.
 
Frank 01:58 
Thank you.
 
Bridget 01:59 
Yeah, super easy. And I always, you know, just felt comfortable and, you know, I felt like I wasn't just a number. And then I was actually part of, like, a family.
 
Bridget 02:09 
So thanks again for that. And it went wonderful and great, and I can't wait to do it again.
 
Frank 02:14 
Our pleasure.
 
Bridget 02:15 
Yeah.
 
Frank 02:16 
So just to give our listeners some context. Bridget lives in a suburb about an hour and a half away from the office here. And when she was onboarded through her agency, she was actually referred through another surrogate here in the same suburb. And the entire journey came about because we had a set of intended parents that it was a really unique situation.
 
Frank 02:39 
They were looking for two surrogates. They wanted to have two children around the same age. They didn't want one surrogate carrying twins because of the obvious risks of a twin gestation. So they contacted us to help find them two surrogates. And we were really fortunate to find Courtney and I was talking with Courtney about this potential match and the couple and how they were looking for a second surrogate.
 
Frank 03:03 
And she said, well, wait a minute, I have this really great person that has always, you know, talked about being a surrogate. Her name's Bridget. So she contacted Bridget, long story short, and had her fill out the profile. I talked with Bridget over the phone and as soon as I hung up, I was like, oh, my gosh. Perfect.
 
Frank 03:21 
Like, perfect. She would be the perfect person. And that whole match was just really magical because it was a gay couple in New York. And they had Bridget and Courtney in Illinois in the same suburb, both going through that journey together. And it was just it was a match made to be, I don't know, any other way how to explain it.
 
Bridget 03:40 
It was it was wonderful because, you know, we had to go we got to have a partner in this. And like, this was our first time, you know, both doing this and being able to have someone that you were already friends with and already had a relationship and be able to you know, just build that relationship stronger. You know, it was it was a it was well, I guess for me it was nice because I did go through two failed transfers before I did have a successful transfer, and I transferred at the same time.
 
Bridget 04:12 
So we got to go out to California together it was like girls trip. And then we both transferred together. And her first transfer was successful and she carried a son for them. And then five months to the day, I delivered their daughter. So I thought that was really awesome that going through the not so fun parts of, you know, surrogacy because sometimes it's not all rainbows and butterflies and you have to go through some, you know, bumps in the road that I was able to lean on her for support and, you know, she helped me through, you know, and then I got to be there for her while she was like, oh, my goodness, you know
 
Bridget 04:51 
just the pregnancy stuff so.
 
Frank 04:52 
And I thought it was cool that the two of you could travel out there together.
 
Bridget 04:55 
Yes. It was so fun.
 
Frank 04:55 
I think for the third time. Did she go out there for the third?
 
Bridget 04:58 
She, she went out for the third with me. Yes. Yup. And she was pregnant then. So her and I just kind of hung out and it was nice.
 
Frank 05:07 
And for some more context here for the listeners, I wrote down all the dates so that everyone can kind of put all this together. So Bridget, filled out our profile on July 2nd, 2014, and then I had, let's see, signed contracts, November 15th with the guys and then your first positive beta for the third transfer was May 27th, 2015.
 
Frank 05:30 
Then we had a second positive beta on June 3rd, 2015 and then your ultrasound to confirm that you were pregnant with a singleton. Little Miss Princess, as we now know. That was June 5th, 2015. And then you delivered January 23rd, 2016 which was as you said, five months to the day.
 
Bridget 05:50 
To the day.
 
Frank 05:51 
Because the brother was born August 23rd.
 
Bridget 05:53 
23rd, yeah.
 
Frank 05:53 
That was just.
 
Bridget 05:55 
And then Courtney did come, she actually moved to Arizona after delivering their son and she came, flew back home to be there for me through the labor and delivery and all that. So it really meant a lot to me and I really miss her.
 
Frank 06:11 
I know that was great. I was like Oh my gosh, we need Courtney back.
 
Bridget 06:15 
I know.
 
Frank 06:16 
And Bridget said, Oh, come to the delivery. And I and my husband Adam said, what are you going to go? And I said, well, I'm going to wait till the next day because I'm sure she's got the guys are there and I don't want to take the moment away. And then I find out Bridget had the whole hospital staff all in the room and everyone that you could think of was in there. And so
 
Bridget 06:34 
One more would have been nothing. You should have. I told you I was like, come on in.
 
Frank 06:38 
And probably would have fainted, though.
 
Bridget 06:40 
So yeah, no, you would have been fine.
 
Frank 06:42 
So okay, so that's the timeline. And so backing up a little bit here and you kind of talked about this in the beginning, but why why did you want to become a surrogate? Like where did all this stemmed from?
 
Bridget 06:57 
Okay. Well, for for myself, my husband and I struggled with infertility ourselves. It took us about five years, three and a half years through treatment to to find out that the treatment that we were doing was never going to work. And that IVF was our only option. And so my husband and I took a little break from all of it because it was like three and a half years.
 
Bridget 07:19 
We're like, okay, maybe we just this isn't meant to be you know, God has bigger plans for us. So we decided to foster we got our foster care license and then were placed with our adopted son. He was five months old. That was July 24th, 2008. And then my husband got called up to go overseas again. He was in the military then and he said, you know what, we should just do another, you know, let's get a second opinion.
 
Bridget 07:47 
Let's find a new doctor and, you know, see what they say. And I was like, okay, well, I was totally on board. So I'm like, you know, I would love that. And, you know, we didn't never want to think of the what if you don't come home thing. But we were like, let's just go. So we went and the doctor said, IVF is your only option.
 
Bridget 08:02 
Let's go for it. I'm like, okay. So, you know, I did my transfer when he was gone. My mom went with me to transfer and we found out we were pregnant with with our son, Braden, the day he got into Afghanistan. So it was December 4th of 2008. And so it was this crazy family. I remember those days. I remember where I was, what, you know, I probably not what I was wearing, but you know, those things.
 
Frank 08:31 
You know, you remember that.
 
Bridget 08:32 
I probably I don't think I do.
 
Frank 08:34 
I don't I'm sure you have a picture, so.
 
Bridget 08:35 
I probably do because I I have photo, I photo you know, photograph everything. So that kind of is what really led us to for ourselves wanting to do surrogacy and so we had our son in 2009 and then I was eight weeks pregnant with our twins who we did another IVF transfer eight weeks pregnant with the twins when our son Braden turned one.
 
Bridget 09:00 
So. Yeah. So I was like, ready or not, here they all are. And so, yeah, it was crazy fun. So like I said, that's the reason why I, you know, wanted to do surrogacy, because I wanted to, you know, I knew how it felt to be on the other end of that. And, I mean, I don't. Surrogacy might have been an option for us.
 
Bridget 09:19 
Maybe. Adoption was fine for us, too. So we ended up adopting our oldest son in 2012 and then we had our twins, 2011 in January. And then in December of that same year, our adopted son's biological mother had another baby. So they called and said, do you want her? Would you like to take. I'm like, absolutely, where do I go pick her up?
 
Bridget 09:43 
So our girls are 11 months apart so and then we adopted Aniyah in 2014. So yeah that's is it's all part of the bigger plan you know we think that we have everything. Oh this is how our lives can we. No I have I never had any I always wanted a large family did I ever have any idea that I would be blessed this many times and then be able to, you know, being part of the surrogacy world and be able to give back the gift that you just there's no greater thing.
 
Frank 10:17 
It's, it's absolutely amazing everyone that I talk to about you and explain your story, they especially for your first match, the guys I talk to them about your profile. And I was explaining that you how many children you had and you were foster parents and they said, wow, are you sure she she can be a surrogate? You must be so stressed out.
 
Frank 10:37 
And then for the second match that he said the same thing, he said, wait a minute, how many children does she have? And she's been a surrogate already. And how does she manage all of that? And I always tell everyone, I say, well, Bridget is like the only way to describe her. As I say, Mother Earth. Mother Earth.
 
Frank 10:53 
She just gives and gives and gives. Um, and you have all these children and you're just so calm still. Like every time I talk to you, even if it sounds like what you say, a zoo in the background, you're still really calm. And I know that I would be pulling my hair out and I have two and I can't imagine having, you know, five I would be freaked out.
 
Bridget 11:16 
Yeah, it has its moments, but, you know, it's just so it's such a blessing, too. I mean, it's crazy. And there's, you know, days where I'm like, did I sign up for all this? Yeah, I sure did. So, you know, you just got to embrace it and just, you know, be thankful. And, you know, that's just kind of how I get through the day.
 
Bridget 11:34 
I my mom was big on what can you do to make someone else smile? What kind of things can you do to make, you know, someone else's life happy? So I kind of just adapted that from her. And like, I just wanted to leave a really good legacy for my children one day. So this is all part of it.
 
Frank 11:52 
I would say you are. And we've talked about this in the past, but your children will be part of the generation that is even more tolerant and accepting and loving and kind because you have five children and all of them are going to know that their mother did fostering was a surrogate, helped build other families. I just think what you're doing is amazing and it goes way beyond what you're doing here in the present because your children are going to disseminate that information and knowledge as they grow up and go out into the world.
 
Frank 12:18 
And I think they're going to become beautiful people as a result.
 
Bridget 12:21 
That's the plan. That's the plan.
 
Frank 12:23 
Um, so let's talk about your, your experience with the first couple that you worked with that relationship, because surrogates are a potential surrogates listening. I'm sure they have questions about, well, what does that relationship look like? How do you manage that and expectations and
 
Bridget 12:42 
Well, for me, it was I just wanted I wanted to have a relationship. Bottom line, I didn't want it to be, you know, some business transaction I wanted to, you know, build a friendship and, you know, be a part of, you know, a family outside. Not like, you know, be like how it is when you have your own family and I was really I'm pleasantly surprised that it was and went so great.
 
Bridget 13:07 
Like, I, you know, you you don't know. And I don't I didn't want to, like, set myself up to think, oh, it's going to be this, you know, wonderful, perfect thing. And then after the baby born, then they say, and we don't really want to have contact. They send photos. You know, we, you know, message back and forth.
 
Bridget 13:22 
And it's just it feels good to be able to still see her growing up. And, you know, just seeing them as a family unit was amazing. We got to go.
 
Frank 13:32 
Yeah. Talk about your trip.
 
Bridget 13:33 
So they flew us out myself, my husband, Courtney, and her husband as well out there in October for a weekend and it was amazing. They were awesome hosts and they, you know, just to see them in their in their element because it's like you don't know, like. You think okay, you know, you don't know how people are going to be as parents.
 
Bridget 13:52 
And these two are just phenomenal. It's just awesome to see like all of it come together and just be like, you know, I was a part of that. And if it wasn't for me, this, you know, family wouldn't be. And like, that's just it. You can't explain. There's no explanation. The feeling is, you know, phenomenal. And yeah, it just was great.
 
Bridget 14:13 
And we still have a good relationship. And I'm thankful for that because it just, you know, makes my heart happy.
 
Frank 14:20 
Yeah. I mean, you got to see everything come full circle, like you said. So um, and the guys surprised me, too. I mean, they were always wonderful, but part of you always wonders, well how are your clients going to be when they actually become parents, when the babies come? How are they going to be? And then seeing you and Courtney go out there and with the photos and then when I've talked to the guys since then and they just becoming parents, it just I know for me, it changed me.
 
Frank 14:46 
And I can see the change in them. And knowing that you did that, I mean, you must just be elated.
 
Bridget 14:52 
Yeah, it's awesome. And like I said, that's just a feeling you can't explain. And it's it's wonderful. And Courtney and I are so similar. Like how our. Well, she's a little quieter than I am. I'm not very quiet. No, I. It's but you know, she's a little bit more quiet she just a beautiful soul and, you know, just thankful that, you know, we have become such good friends and we're able to, you know, embark on our first surrogacy journey together and be able to help them complete their family.
 
Frank 15:25 
So so now fast forward into the future. Okay. And here we are, right. And journey number two. Holy cow. Okay, so your first journey was amazing. And then Bridget recovers and then and let me just tell everyone who's listening. There was never a point in time where after Bridget gave birth, there was any silence. Oh, no. Bridget and I text like, we text at least twice a week.
 
Frank 15:49 
Like, there's not a week that goes by where I don't hear from you via text, whether it be me sending you a photo of the kids. Are you sending me a photo or this or that. Or a photo from the guys because they send you photos all the time. Yeah. Um, so then the time finally came. I think it was the one year, right? Coming up on
 
Bridget 16:07 
Right, coming up on the one year and I'm like, okay.
 
Frank 16:09 
And your medical clearance. And then and Bridget goes, okay, well, I'm ready to do this again because we talked about this, you know, potentially doing this a second time if everything went well, the first one. And so here we are. So why did you want to do it again?
 
Bridget 16:25 
Well, like I said, my first experience was awesome. And I can't say anything bad about this one so far. It's been great. My the new intended father is just a riot. He's so funny and just crazy, and we just really clicked really well. So I'm excited, you know, for this for him, not so excited about the estrogen. But, you know, I'm pushing through it and it's going to be good.
 
Bridget 16:52 
And I just, you know, think about the outcome every time. I'm like, okay, injection date, great. Oh, but it's you know, this is not the that's not the so fun part. You know, then that's so fun. Not so fun. Yeah, that sounds better. Not so fun part of of surrogacy, but it's worth it. And, you know, if I had to do injections every single day for the rest of my life to be able to let these people be parents, you know, I do it because you can't you just cannot put into words how amazing it is to be able to do this and see how complete they are.
 
Frank 17:25 
That is, let me just say, that is such a selfless statement. Um, in regards to the injections, because I know myself, it's a good thing that I am a male and I, and I, there's no way I could be a surrogate. Right. I just, I don't know the I can't, I see a needle and I faint, I pass out.
 
Frank 17:43 
So for you and everyone listening who's either a surrogate or a potential surrogate applicant, I give you mad props for, for being able to compartmentalize that and become a surrogate to help people create a family. I just think everything that you go through emotionally and physically and then the injections, it it's just it's mind numbing. I could never do it, you know?
 
Frank 18:06 
And I know a lot of other women, other women who say they could never do it. And so that's amazing. I just.
 
Bridget 18:12 
Yeah.
 
Frank 18:13 
I know you know, it's not your most favorite.
 
Bridget 18:14 
Well, that's not the most favorite, but it's not. And that's something that's the thing. It's like, you know, we get through this and then, you know, we're good.
 
Frank 18:20 
And just as a disclaimer, so everyone listening, who knows it sounds like Bridget has had a lot of pregnancies and deliveries. But in, um, in reality, actually, she's had, um, a total of three pregnancy is it was one singleton was her son and then her second pregnancy was her twin girls. And then her third pregnancy was the singleton surro baby.
 
Frank 18:42 
So this will only be her fourth pregnancy and all have been spontaneous or uncomplicated pregnancies, the C-section.
 
Bridget 18:50 
C-section were the twins. But the other were the other two are natural.
 
Frank 18:53 
So Bridget has a really great track record of pregnancy and delivery history here. Otherwise she would not be cleared to be a surrogate.
 
Bridget 19:00 
Exactly.
 
Frank 19:00 
So I just wanted to remind everyone that.
 
Bridget 19:02 
Two of my children are adopted. So, yeah, I think I kind of said that earlier, but yeah, two of them are my oldest and youngest.
 
Frank 19:08 
I don't want people listening to get confused.
 
Bridget 19:10 
I can go and have had all those babies and like, no.
 
Frank 19:12 
And not here at Golden Surrogacy. I mean, there's some agencies that have surrogates that are on their seventh delivery and somehow they're getting approved. But we we don't like to take risks and Bridget knows that she would not have signed up to do this again if she didn't fully think that. And, you know, in agreement with the medical professionals that her body could go through this with an uncomplicated pregnancy, with a great outcome.
 
Frank 19:35 
And so that's really what we strive for.
 
Bridget 19:36 
And fours a great number so that this will be it for me, too. So, I mean, if I was a little younger maybe, and didn't already have, you know, three pregnancies, you know, maybe.
 
Frank 19:46 
And you have five at home. But quite honestly, I'm really protective of you, too. We have to watch out for you.
 
Bridget 19:51 
Well I'm like, yeah, four is a good even number. I like even numbers.
 
Frank 19:54 
So back to the second journey. Um, this was amazing. So Bridget says to me, now for my next journey, I want, I also want someone who's really you to know is going to be this is a single, this is a single male intended parent. And we didn't really discuss you matching with, with the single person before.
 
Frank 20:12 
So she says, well, I want another couple that can be really close with and good dialog and everything like last time. And so then I present this profile to her and I'm sure you were skeptical at first.
 
Bridget 20:22 
I was.
 
Frank 20:23 
And, um, of course he wasn't. He saw your profile and was. Yeah. Oh, my goodness. She's amazing. Are you sure she can do it again, though? Like, she seems like she could be really stressed out. And I said, no, Bridget is. Are you kidding me? Stressed out?
 
Bridget 20:35 
Yeah. No.
 
Frank 20:37 
Um, so I'm sure you were skeptical at first. But then I feel like the two of you got on a matching call, and. I don't know, I was. I was sitting there in the call and I'm like, I don't know which one of them talks more. And it was a long matching call.
 
Bridget 20:53 
I think that's why I'm like, it's. It's like, okay, we do. We talk a lot, and it's nice because, you know, that's what I like that I like to be, you know, and maybe, you know, he he shares a lot, you know, and I didn't really know all that went into you know, this whole process. And but the first couple, because they were a little more reserved, which is fine because I, you know, respect that.
 
Bridget 21:18 
But now with the the new intended father. He just shares everything. And I love it because it's like, you know, I'm comfortable with him. I feel like, you know, I can say what's on my mind and, you know, he respects that and we're really, you know, in a really good place. So, yeah, but I don't know. I think he talks more than me and that's really hard to do.
 
Bridget 21:40 
But I think he does.
 
Frank 21:42 
But you said, right.
 
Bridget 21:44 
That's what I wanted. See, you get what you wish for now. And you have. That's what you get. You can't run.
 
Frank 21:51 
Right. And I looked at the profiles and I said to myself, well, this guy is just he's a spitfire. He can really talk your ear off, but he's really great nature. And he's really passionate about becoming a parent. I don't, I mean, I, I can't say he's, you know, he's more passionate than this and said set of intended parents because everyone expresses themselves differently.
 
Frank 22:10 
But I'd have to say he expresses his passion more than anyone I've talked to over the last couple of years. And he calls us at least once a day. And he calls and it's just it's amazing. He's just really on top of every step and every detail in this process. Um, and it's a good thing we matched him with an experienced surrogate like you because you know how to deal with all of that and answer all his questions.
 
Frank 22:36 
And it's just, and I think that's really great because he wants to know.
 
Bridget 22:40 
Yeah, he, he does, he wants to know every single thing, and that's fine because I overshare maybe, but that's just me. And I just feel like you know, everything that I do and like I, you know, document my journey as I, you know, try to, you know, show others, you know, kind of like the inside of surrogacy and how, you know, what I go through because I'm like, if I can, you know, inspire someone else to want to do this, like, how awesome is that?
 
Bridget 23:06 
And I have a friend that actually did sign with you, and she will be transferring in March as well.
 
Frank 23:11 
Oh, that's right. You referred Jessica Jessica to us.
 
Bridget 23:15 
And so I'm like, I just feel like, you know, that's what you're supposed to do. Like, if you can't share your story and how, you know, your story can help someone you know and maybe help someone else. Now, look, she's going to be caring for a couple and their dreams are going to come true as well. So I think it's awesome.
 
Frank 23:33 
It's amazing. And and I think the second journey. So why don't you tell everyone where you are and your second journey right now?
 
Bridget 23:40 
Okay. I just did injection number four this morning of estrogen. I will be doing these every three days. I have a ultrasound for a lightning check and blood work on the 27th and of February, obviously. And if that goes well, the transfer is set for March 6th. So it's come really fast. I'm like, oh wow.
 
Frank 24:07 
And Jessica's is, uh, hers is at the end of March, or somewhere in March.
 
Bridget 24:11 
March 17th or 17th or 18th.
 
Frank 24:14 
That's great. So you and her potentially could go through.
 
Bridget 24:16 
It'll be well that's a thing. I told her I was like, you know, we can, you know, wear our fat pants and eat.
 
Frank 24:20 
Yeah.
 
Bridget 24:21 
I'm like, I'm fine with that.
 
Frank 24:22 
That is really exciting. And you're both in the same.
 
Bridget 24:25 
Yeah. And she's not far, she's not far from me, so yeah, it'll be nice because this is her first time, so it'll be nice for me to kind of.
 
Frank 24:33 
And she's kind of like how you were the first time she's matched with a gay couple on the East Coast.
 
Bridget 24:37 
Yes.
 
Frank 24:37 
So you can kind of talk her through that dynamic.
 
Bridget 24:40 
It's like, it's nice just to have someone that's gone through it. So, you know, if you she has questions.
 
Frank 24:45 
Has she asked you questions about the injections so far?
 
Bridget 24:48 
Oh, yeah, yeah. And I was like, you know, it helps to do a video. I did. I've been do videos and I said, you saw the one.
 
Frank 24:54 
They they told me about it this morning.
 
Bridget 24:56 
I've been I did another one this morning. It just I feel like if I do a video with my injections, I don't feel so alone. And I would talk through it and it's a lot more like my first injection took a minute and then now I'm like, oh got this is good. But it's just to show everybody, you know, there is so much that goes into you know, the start of your journey to get to the, you know, the goal of having, you know, a healthy baby for your intended parents.
 
Bridget 25:23 
So I just love to share in, you know, I'm just passionate about it and I'm like, you know, if I can help someone's, you know, change someone's mind, like, oh, maybe that might be something that I might want to do or, you know, maybe someone struggling and they need a surrogate, you know, and then they can see kind of on the other side what, you know, the surrogate has to go through.
 
Frank 25:43 
I think it's amazing. I was telling Hannah that we have to get, um, we have to do a photo collage or a video collage with all those videos. Which would be really cool as long as they're PG and there's no blood or,
 
Bridget 25:54 
No, I'm fine. I think I'm funny.
 
Frank 25:58 
I see some of them on on YouTube, but some people do. Yeah. I mean, you're like.
 
Bridget 26:02 
I don't, yeah. I don't, I don't see on YouTube. I don't know. I thought about doing just like, you know, like the vlog, you know, kind of things. Like, you do the videos all the time, but on my little secret Facebook group, I have just, you know, friends and family that are supportive and, you know, I want good people around me during this.
 
Bridget 26:21 
So but yeah, it's nice to do videos and you know, I post photos and just, you know, kind of walk everybody through with me. So then I don't feel so alone. Not that I feel alone at all, but, you know, it's just nice to have the support from all around so.
 
Frank 26:36 
I think it's a really great idea, um, that you're documenting those. And so I'm going to start listening to them because I'm sure they're going to be hilarious.
 
Bridget 26:45 
I'll email them to you.
 
Frank 26:47 
Um, I'm not sure if I mentioned the date earlier. So you were just matched November 16th. Yes. And it's February you got a transfer here lined up for March. So so everyone knows that's listening from the time you match with an intended parent or intended parents. It's usually about three to four months before an actual embryo transfer because there's so much that goes into it.
 
Frank 27:07 
There's legal contracts. And then if you're intended, parents are having embryos created in that that lull of when you're dealing with legal and they're doing the embryo creation and the side with the egg donor, that takes up some time as well so
 
Bridget 27:19 
This just went lightning fast because.
 
Frank 27:22 
Well, this did because I mean this, I mean, I, I mean, I always pat myself on the back that we do a good job here at Golden Surrogacy to keep things moving. But, but this intended parent is a professional um, project manager. If I ever need some assistance here in the office, he's the first one we're going to hire and he's going to listen to this podcast and know exactly what I'm talking about.
 
Frank 27:42 
But he already said that when when his baby's born. Um, he wants to do a video, so I'm sure you're going to be you're gonna be in the video, too.
 
Bridget 27:50 
That's fine. I'm good with that.
 
Frank 27:52 
It's going to be fantastic. He's, like, really excited about it. I'm like, okay, calm down a second. I have to see. I have to make sure if my hair looks good, then maybe we'll do it. Luckily people will just hear us.
 
Bridget 28:05 
Right.
 
Frank 28:05 
They don't actually have to see us the whole time, but you look fabulous today.
 
Bridget 28:08 
Thank you.
 
Frank 28:09 
So but you always look fabulous. You always have a, you know, awesome blouse or something. I'm a sweater guy. I can't, you know, compete with that. But, um, so while we have you here, though, I'd like you to also talk about and you could talk about some other things later too. But talk about, um, the role an agency plays for, for you anyway, in a surrogacy journey.
 
Frank 28:31 
Do you think having an agency is important? And what do you say to women that try to circumvent going through an agency? They want to go independent. And me personally, but I'm not saying it's wrong. Like I don't I mean, I have my own reasons for or against it. But as an experienced surrogate, like, what do you say about it.
 
Bridget 28:47 
For, for me, like, even like looking into you know, starting surrogacy. Anyway, I there's no way I would feel confident on my own with this. There's no way. And it was just so easy. It's like you guys just made it so, like, just everything flow. And I didn't ever stress out about anything. And if I ever had you know, a problem, I had to just say, hey, Frank, it was done every time I called on the phone.
 
Bridget 29:16 
Right there. Taking care like that. That's what, you know, like, I have five children I can't be trying to figure out and doing this independently. Forget it. You know, I have enough to manage at home. So it is nice to have the agency be the manager of everything because I never had to worry. And it was just smooth and I never had any issues.
 
Bridget 29:37 
And so I there's just no way for me personally, I can't do all that. And then like, okay, here I have five children to raise and the oh here. Why don't you, you know, you know, figure out your surrogacy journey on your own? No, I just didn't.
 
Frank 29:51 
Do a background check on your intended parents.
 
Bridget 29:53 
Exactly. Like, yeah, I have all that time.
 
Frank 29:54 
And find an escrow company and.
 
Bridget 29:55 
No, there's just too many parts of it that there's no way that I would have felt confident, you know, doing on my own. And I just I don't know, I just like to be a part of something, you know, it's like I love like I said, I always say it's like family here because I always have felt, you know, not just like a number, like I always felt like, you know, you want me to be here and you are, you know, thinkable for me.
 
Bridget 30:20 
And I always feel that. I never feel like, oh, you know, whatever. I always feel wanted. And I think that's kind of a nice thing to feel wanted in such a crazy like surrogacy is crazy. Like, I didn't realize how much there's a lot of crazies out there let's just say. And I didn't realize that until I started to
 
Frank 30:38 
We know, we have we have the crazy black list.
 
Bridget 30:40 
Oh my gosh, it's just it's ridiculous. So it's just nice to be able to not have to stress out about anything and everything's taking care of and just, you know, knowing that, you know, you're taking care of legally as well. You know, just make sure that everything goes smoothly in that you're covered. Like, I yeah. That's that sense of security, I guess.
 
Bridget 31:00 
And that's what, you know, the agency does for me. And that's why I always say Golden Surrogacy [unintelligible] do you want to be a surrogate you know, I'm always saying because it's not just because I mean, it's it's just the truth, you know, that
 
Frank 31:15 
I really appreciate. Like really appreciate that. And I, I you text me all the time. You have my cell phone number.
 
Bridget 31:21 
Right. I'm like, yeah, hey. But yeah, I just, I just feel like. Yeah.
 
Frank 31:25 
And you have to tell everyone about the layers of support here. So you have me, and then you have Maiya now and then you have Debbie. So you have all these different layers that you can. And Debbie's a riot. We have to get Debbie on a podcast.
 
Bridget 31:38 
Oh, my gosh. That would be awesome.
 
Frank 31:40 
You have to censor every other word, though. No, I'm just kidding.
 
Bridget 31:44 
Her and I are we're we're a lot we're the same in some ways, too. I just I do. I really love her. Like we do talk a lot, like, even like, not just surrogacy related things. Like, I really, like, feel like she's a friend, like she does care about me and, you know, everything. So it's nice to have support, like people that you've never met before in, you know, in person.
 
Bridget 32:05 
But we've such a great relationship, and she's just she genuinely cares about what's going on in how I'm doing, and I love it. Hi, Debbie.
 
Frank 32:15 
Just so everyone knows, Debbie is one of our support coordinators, so she would be if Bridget had any questions about the injections or just random surrogacy things that only a surrogate would know because Debbie's been a surrogate twice herself. So, um, and then she has Maiya here at the agency who's an overall surrogate coordinator, who can answer Bridget questions regards to anything that's administrative.
 
Frank 32:38 
If she had a question about a form that we sent to the escrow company, anything administrative, and then if it's anything overall or just, you know, basically to talk, she can call me about anything or text me, she texts me all the time also. So Bridget has these multiple layers and, and all of our surrogates do. So I'm glad that you find them useful.
 
Bridget 32:56 
Oh, yeah, absolutely. I love it. I I'm a talker.
 
Frank 33:00 
When you told Debbie that you were embarking on your second journey, she sends me a text right away, and she's like, I didn't get any paperwork for Bridget's case yet. When does it start? I'm really excited about her second case. And I said, okay, hold on. We're going to get it to you, or we're starting she's going through all the matching phase first and everything.
 
Frank 33:16 
And so I know Debbie is she's over the moon to work with you again.
 
Bridget 33:20 
Yes, I love her.
 
Frank 33:22 
Um, I think we really went through all the topics. I know we have to get your husband in here at some point to talk about. To talk about husbands. Husbands through surrogacy the husbands that are on the other side of the coin that are the husbands of the surrogates and how they kind of go through a journey as a support person.
 
Frank 33:39 
Yes, I think he would,
 
Bridget 33:40 
He he does my progesterone injections for me. There's just something about that one that.
 
Frank 33:46 
I was going to ask if he does those,
 
Bridget 33:47 
He does do those. I don't know what it is. It's just that medications is different. And like the estrogen, I'm good on my own. But, you know, my little Facebook group there, I'm like, don't worry, there's going to be a video and Adam's going to Adam does my progesterone and they're like, we can't wait to see that video.
 
Bridget 34:03 
Adam's like, oh, great. Yeah. He he's but he is he if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be, you know, wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be doing this. I mean, his support is been phenomenal. You know, we're an amazing team together. Yeah. He's just he's amazing. And he doesn't realize how much of a vital role he plays in all of this.
 
Bridget 34:25 
He thinks, oh, you know, it's you, it's your choice, and I'm here to support you. I'm like, no, yeah, you are here to support me. But then, you know, when I'm not able to be mom for the day because I'm not feeling well or I have, you know, just had a baby, then, you know, he steps up and, you know, he takes on the role of, you know, mom and dad, and he does it just so gracefully and like, he's very courageous.
 
Frank 34:50 
He and I have met him for everyone listening, and he's just such a calm guy. And I see him and you and the two of you do not wear stress on your face at all. There's just no stress and he's just really calm. Yeah. And whenever I'm doing a consultation with intended parents, they always ask, well, what is the husband of the surrogate thinking about all of this?
 
Frank 35:12 
And I tell them, I say, well, you're going to have the opportunity to speak with them. And I don't know. Just throughout all the matches I've done, it appears that all of the husbands of surrogates are kind of all the same calm, supportive people. And you lucked out because you have a great one.
 
Bridget 35:27 
Yeah, I do.
 
Frank 35:28 
And he's easy on the eyes, too, so yeah, um, so let's see here. Anything else you'd like to add? While we have you here in our fabulous studio.
 
Bridget 35:38 
I don't know. I could talk for days, but that's you know, that's just me. I just overall am extremely blessed and grateful for you and, you know, Golden Surrogacy because it's just made it great. It's been an awesome, you know, my first journey was awesome. The second one is, you know, going strong. And I, you know, good things are going to be happening.
 
Bridget 36:00 
So I'm ready.
 
Frank 36:01 
We feel very fortunate to have you as part of our Golden family. And a lot of the girls were hired after your first journey who didn't know you. And I said when you were reaching out about the second journey, I said, yes, you're all going to get to meet Bridget. And I said, Maiya you're going to be assigned to Bridget
 
Frank 36:17 
And she said, and she looked up your profile and she said, oh, she seems really
 
Bridget 36:20 
Just nervous. poor Maiya.
 
Frank 36:23 
Well, you're you're very you know, you have star power about you. So, yeah, it's very intimidating. But, no, everyone thinks that you're just, like, really amazing. And so we just were really fortunate and we're really happy to have you on the second journey with us. So I'm sure at some point we're going to do we'll do a follow up
 
Frank 36:40 
After your next transfer, anything's progressing in the pregnancy will have you come back in.
 
Bridget 36:44 
I'll bring Adam with me.
 
Frank 36:45 
Bring Adam. And you know what? If your intended parent is in town for ultrasound, which I know he's going to be flying in, we'll have him come into the studio, too.
 
Bridget 36:53 
Oh, he likes to talk.
 
Frank 36:54 
We don't have to mic him, I'm sure we'll be able to hear him just fine.
 
Bridget 36:56 
You won't, no you won't
 
Frank 36:57 
He'll be really excited, I'm sure. Um, but that's all I have. Thank you so much for coming in today and talking with all of our listeners. Um, I'm sure they'll have maybe questions for you in the future. So, yeah, um, what I'd say for everyone is please send us your, your thoughts, your comments, on this session.
 
Frank 37:19 
And then if you have any ideas for future topics or things that you'd like us to discuss, you can email us at [email protected] and then please follow us on all of our social media @GoldenSurrogacy. Thank you, everyone. It's been a pleasure today. Take care. We'll see you next time. Bye!