The Surrogacy Experience: Taking the Leap (Part 1 of 3)

The most important qualifications for a surrogate candidate, according to Dr. Sweet, are:

• proven fertility
• uncomplicated pregnancies
• insurance that doesn't forbid the process of carrying a baby for someone else
• wants a normal delivery but is willing to undergo a c-section if necessary
• finished having her own children
• has a supportive partner

But, says Dr. Sweet, "The most important part of surrogacy is finding a good surrogate who is willing, emotionally and mentally able to go through steps, and not someone [just] doing it for the money."

Karen, who had had her tubes tied after her third child was born in 2004, proved to be an ideal candidate: She passed the psychological exams with flying colors, and the two women started the medicines to get Kelly and Karen's cycles in synch for the in vitro fertilization and transfer of the embryos in the spring of 2006.

Kelly and Dege had already overcome the greatest challenge to surrogacy arrangements: finding a good carrier.

When he learned that Karen was willing to be a surrogate and that the final medical and psychological hurdles had been cleared, Dege felt excitement and relief. He remembered thinking "there was no way on earth things would go wrong this time." He would finally have a baby.

For Karen, becoming a surrogate was all about giving Kelly and Dege the child they so desperately desired. "I couldn't think of a better gift to give to someone in the world," says Karen. "I know that this is why I'm here on earth—I was meant to give them their child."

Read more about The Russells' and Holmes' incredible journey in the next installment of "The Surrogacy Experience."