Daniel and Andre

Medical Information:

General Health:

We are in good general health, as confirmed by our recent medical check-ups.

Fertility Information:

We have a known donor and with her help we now have 16 embryos awaiting testing.

Fertility Clinic:

CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto

Why are you looking for a Surrogate?

As a same-sex couple, surrogacy is the only option for us to have a biological child of our own.

Tell us about your family & loved ones.

Our parents are very supportive and excited for our journey. Same as our parents, Andre´s sister is very excited. We expect our friends and co-workers to be supportive and excited about our surrogacy journey. We believe that most of them will be happy for us, though some may have questions or be curious about the process, we are excited to educate them about surrogacy so they have a better understanding of what we are going through. We trust that they will respect our decision and offer their encouragement as we move forward.

Our family is a colorful bunch. Andre has a sister who welcomed our niece Willow into the world this past October. We’re absolutely thrilled about Willow. Carina, Andre’s sister, is currently engaged, and in May, we’ll be flying to Cyprus for her wedding. Carina and her fiancé met in Cyprus. Carina lives in the UK with Phil and Willow. Andre’s father and stepmother are both police officers. While Silke (stepmother) is already enjoying her retirement to the fullest, Stefan (father) still has to work a bit longer. Both are completely immersed in their roles as grandparents right now. They want a photo of Willow every single day and wish they could see her more often. There’s a Scandinavian Christmas tradition involving an elf door. This door is placed on the wall in the child’s room. It’s said that at night, when everyone is asleep, the elf comes out to help with Christmas preparations and brings good luck. Willow already has an elf door in her room at Stefan and Silke’s house, and they’ve also organized one for our future child.

Daniel’s mom and stepdad, Helga and Daniel (yes, he has the same name), are also incredibly excited. Helga used to be a midwife, and she now works as a translator for German-English, focusing on fantasy and sci-fi novels and video games. Helga has already planned to stay with us for the first few weeks after we return to help and support us. Daniel’s stepdad works with socially challenged children in schools, supporting them during and after classes. We’re absolutely certain that Daniel will fully embrace his role as a grandpa. He may come across as emotionally reserved, but his heart is huge, and he always takes an interest in people, meaning exactly what he says.

Would you like to attend appointments with your Surrogate?

We would like to attend the obstetrical appointments virtually, if possible. We would, of course, coordinate this with the Surrogate to ensure that it works for her as well.

What are your thoughts on termination of a pregnancy due to genetic abnormalities or complications related to the pregnancy?

We would consider terminating the pregnancy in the case of genetic abnormalities, even if they are not severe. For less significant anomalies, we would still consider the option of termination, but we would ensure to discuss and evaluate all medical information thoroughly with professionals and our Surrogate before making any decisions.

If the Surrogate becomes pregnant with multiples, how would you feel? How do you feel about the possibility of selective reduction being recommended due to a multiple pregnancy?

We would be happy if the Surrogate becomes pregnant with multiples, but we also understand the potential risks involved for both the Surrogate and the babies. If selective reduction were recommended due to medical reasons, we would take the advice of medical professionals seriously and consider it carefully. We recognize that this is a very difficult decision, and we would approach it with the utmost care and consideration for the health of the Surrogate and the babies.

Are you vaccinated for Covid-19? Do you have a preference for a Surrogate to have been vaccinated for Covid-19?

We are vaccinated against Covid-19 and would prefer that our Surrogate is also vaccinated.

What kind of relationship do you want to have with your Surrogate during the pregnancy?

We would like to have a supportive, respectful, and emotional relationship with the Surrogate during the pregnancy, ideally forming a friendly or even familial connection. We hope to stay in regular communication, offering emotional support while respecting her boundaries and privacy. Our goal is to create a positive and cooperative partnership based on mutual trust and understanding throughout the process. Additionally, we would love to meet the Surrogate in person, if possible. However, this will depend on the timing, as Andre is a teacher and can only travel to Canada during school holidays. Since he’s a civil servant, he’ll be granted fully paid leave for the first three months. If the pregnancy and birth go according to plan, we will both be there. However, if there are complications and the baby comes earlier than expected, Daniel will be able to travel immediately, while Andre would need a few days to follow.

Do you want to be in the delivery room when your child is born?

Whether we are in the delivery room depends on the Surrogate’s preferences. We fully respect her decision, but we would love to be there if she is comfortable with it.

What kind of relationship do you hope to have with your Surrogate after the birth of your child?

For us, it is non-negotiable- we WANT to have contact with the Surrogate after the birth! She will always be a part of our family, and we want our child to grow up knowing and having a relationship with the her. We hope to maintain an ongoing, positive connection with her, allowing our child to have a bond with the person who helped bring them into the world.

Would you be open to a home birth?

We would be open to a homebirth, with the condition that either a midwife or a doctor is present to assist with the birth. We are not comfortable with anyone else acting as the birth attendant. Our priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of both the Surrogate and the baby, so we would only proceed with a qualified professional present.

Are you open to midwifery care?

We are open to exploring midwifery care if it is a viable option and aligns with the Surrogate's preferences and medical needs. Our priority is the health and well-being of the Surrogate and the baby, so we would be happy to discuss this option with the medical team and the Surrogate to ensure it is the best choice.

Would you like your Surrogate to provide breastmilk?

We would be open to the Surrogate providing breastmilk if she is willing and able to do so. We understand that this is a personal decision, and we would respect her choice. If she agrees, we would be grateful for the opportunity, but we also have other options in place if it is not possible.

What will you tell the child about the Surrogate, and the circumstances of their birth? If your child asks to meet the Surrogate, how will you feel?

We plan to be open and honest with our child about the Surrogate and the circumstances of their birth. We will explain that the Surrogate helped bring them into the world with love and care, and that she will always be a special part of their story. We want our child to understand the importance of the Surrogate’s role and to feel proud of their unique journey. If our child asks to meet the Surrogate, we will fully support that request. We believe it’s important for the child to have a connection with the person who helped bring them into the world, and we would be happy to facilitate that meeting. It’s a special part of their story, and we want them to feel comfortable and supported in exploring that connection.

If the transfer is unsuccessful, will you want to try again? If so, how soon after?

If the transfer is unsuccessful, we would definitely want to try again. We understand that the process can be unpredictable, and we are committed to continuing our journey. We would discuss the timing with the Surrogate and the medical team to determine the best course of action, but we are prepared to try again as soon as it is medically appropriate.

If this surrogacy journey is successful, would you want to complete a sibling journey? What do you envision that looking like? (timeline, same Surrogate etc.)

At this time, we are not considering a sibling journey. However, we cannot completely rule it out for the future. It would depend on various factors, including our personal circumstances and how we feel after completing the first journey.

What are your plans for childcare once the child is born?

Daniel will be taking parental leave, which is well-compensated in Germany. Andre will receive three months of fully paid leave from his employer. After the first year, we plan to try to enroll our child in daycare. Additionally, Andre plans to work part-time, so we both will have plenty of time to spend with our child.

What does a typical weekend look like for you?

A typical weekend for us usually involves a mix of relaxation and spending quality time together. We like to enjoy outdoor activities, such as walks or visiting local parks, and we often spend time with family and friends. We also use the weekend to catch up on personal projects, errands, or simply unwind at home. Once we have our child, we imagine our weekends will revolve around family activities, including outings, playtime, and bonding time at home.

What are some of your interests/ activities?

Daniel has a passion for cooking, gaming, and musicals. He loves experimenting with new recipes and enjoys spending time playing video games and attending musical performances. Andre enjoys reading, particularly crime novels and general fiction, and has a deep interest in football as a fan. Together, we love exploring the outdoors through hiking, traveling to new places, and spending quality time with family and friends. We also enjoy hosting game nights, where we can relax and have fun with those close to us.

Other fun facts:

Daniel loves pasta dishes but enjoys a wide variety of foods. Andre particularly enjoys Greek cuisine or a good steak. Andre is a big fan of Borussia Mönchengladbach, while Daniel has a special love for Harry Potter. We both share a dream of visiting Argentina and Japan, as these are two places we’d love to explore. When we travel, we love discovering new cultures and making unforgettable memories along the way.

“We are a warm, caring, and committed couple who value family, love, and support. Our journey together has been filled with adventures, from traveling the world to building a strong, loving home. We deeply believe in the importance of kindness, respect, and communication, and we are excited to grow our family. We are hopeful that our surrogacy journey will not only bring us closer to becoming parents but also create lasting bonds with the wonderful Surrogate who helps us bring our dreams to life.”