I’ve had five babies by five different men – trolls say I’m exploiting my womb but my boyfriend doesn’t mind

A WOMAN who has been a surrogate five times says people think she is being exploited for her womb.

Ariel Taylor, who has a daughter of her own, embarked on her journey to help other couples almost a decade ago.

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The 33-year-old shares her surrogacy experience with her 90,000 online followers and says she “cherishes” the opportunity to raise awareness.

But even though she gets a lot of support, she also gets a lot of negativity.

And some even think she is being exploited.

“People either think surrogates are rich and make millions or we’re poor and exploited,” Ariel told What’s The Jam.

“The truth is that we are just ordinary women who want to help someone else by carrying their baby.

“Prospective parents are just ordinary couples who suffer from some form of infertility.”

Ariel, originally from Ontario, Canada, shared her experience with surrogacy.

“I have been a surrogate five times and donated eggs six times – experiences that have deeply shaped my journey and came from my passion for helping others,” she said.

Ariel said her primary motivation was simple: She wanted to help someone else experience the joy of parenthood, just as she had.

“The idea that I could give this gift to someone who needed it was incredibly powerful to me,” she said.

“I also really enjoyed the pregnancy, but I knew I was done having kids for myself.”

Ariel gave birth to her daughter Scarlett, now nine, in 2015.

Later that year, she began her journey as a surrogate mother and in January 2016, after finding a family, she underwent an embryo transfer.

An embryo transfer is a medical procedure that involves placing fertilized eggs, or embryos, into a woman’s uterus. This is the final step of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process.

Sadly, Ariel miscarried the couple’s baby at four months in May.

She tried again with a new couple in the fall of 2016 and in August 2017, she gave birth to Baby R.

Ariel went on to give birth to four more surrogate babies, delivering Ari in December 2018, Baby J – Baby R’s brother – in April 2021 and DJ in July 2023.

“Handing the baby over to their parents has always been the most rewarding part of the process,” said Ariel, who works as a fertility therapist.

“I was really lucky that pregnancy suited me most of the time.

“It made me happier and I didn’t gain a lot of weight or have any complications.”

Between pregnancies, Ariel says she made sure to focus on getting back to a healthy body mass index (BMI) and staying in shape.

She had a total of four C-sections, which is the maximum allowed for surrogacy.

“Despite a loving pregnancy, by the time I reached my last, my body was telling me it was time to stop,” she said.

“The recovery was much longer and I was so swollen, swollen and sore, so it was a new challenge for me.

I will always cherish the experiences I had. I think I was made for surrogacy. And what a great way to use my body for good.

Ariel TaylorSubstitute

“It was my body’s way of saying, ‘Enough,’ and I had to accept that this was the end of my pregnancy journey.

“I will always cherish the experiences I had. I think I was made for surrogacy. And what a great way to use my body for good.

Ariel has also been an egg donor for six different families.

She says her extended family was very supportive of her choices and learned a lot about the process along the way.

And Ariel says her partner Brandon has been “amazing”.

“I’m very lucky that my partner sees surrogacy the same way I do: as a great opportunity to help someone else and be part of something really special,” she said. declared.

“He takes on so much during pregnancy and after delivery and I am so grateful to him and the way he took care of me so I could take care of others.”

Ariel also has positive relationships with all the families she has helped and loves seeing the children grow.

“We always chat and follow each other on social media,” she said.

I think many people assume that surrogates feel sadness or disappointment after giving birth, but for many of us, it’s quite the opposite.

Ariel Taylor

“The bond we share is unique and reminds us how surrogacy brings people together in such a meaningful way.

“There is a misconception that surrogate mothers will never see the children again, but in my experience we have become family friends.

“These kids know who I am and it’s wonderful to be a part of their lives in some way.”

“I think a lot of people assume that surrogates feel sadness or disappointment after giving birth, but for many of us, it’s quite the opposite.

“I look back so fondly on my surrogacy journeys.

“Each birth has been such a beautiful and meaningful experience – challenging, yes, but incredibly rewarding. »

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Ariel now also runs her own platform, Carried With Love, which she uses to dedicate time to supporting those struggling with infertility.

She also owns Smarter Surrogacy, an educational resource to teach prospective parents about surrogacy.

At home, she lives with Scarlett, her partner Brandon and her two children – Addison, 15, and Alexis, 11 – as well as their family dog ​​and cat.

“Now I am focused on supporting intended parents in finding their surrogates and helping them navigate the process smoothly and safely,” she said.

“I also personally believe that on a global scale we can change the narrative of surrogacy to one of empowerment, choice and bodily autonomy.

“And a process in which loved and wanted children are brought into the world for their loving parents with the help of a well-qualified surrogate mother.

“I hope this can change surrogacy, not only in Canada, but everywhere. »