Daniel & Louis

Medical Information:

General Health:

Healthy.

Fertility Information:

We are in the process of embryo creation and estimate that this will be finalized before Summer 2025. We are using a known egg donor

Fertility Clinic:

Create Fertility, Toronto, ON

Why are you looking for a Surrogate?

As a same-sex couple, surrogacy is our only viable path to parenthood. Beyond simply growing our family, we are also drawn to the human experience that surrogacy offers—one built on trust, respect, and a shared purpose. We deeply appreciate the generosity of a Surrogate in making this possible and are open to whatever level of connection feels right for everyone involved.

Tell us about your family & loved ones.

Our parents are fully aware of our surrogacy journey and wholeheartedly support us. They share in our excitement and look forward to welcoming a new addition to the family. Our siblings are just as supportive as our parents and see surrogacy as a remarkable act of generosity. They are excited for us and eager to be part of this journey in whatever way they can. We have shared our journey with our closest friends, who are incredibly supportive and excited for us. When the time comes, we plan to inform our co-workers about the pregnancy and also expect their support. We will be able to take parental leave so as to ensure the transition into this new chapter of our lives.

Would you like to attend appointments with your Surrogate?

We would love to be as involved as our Surrogate feels comfortable with. Given that we are located in Europe, we are available to attend appointments virtually. If possible, we would also love to be present in person for key milestones, such as ultrasounds and of course the birth. We are ready to support our Surrogate throughout the pregnancy, whether it is remotely or by going to Canada if necessary.

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

We trust medical professionals to guide us in any decisions regarding the termination of a pregnancy. Our primary concern is the health and well-being of our Surrogate, and we will always prioritize her safety and well-being. In cases of severe genetic abnormalities or life-threatening complications, we would rely on medical expertise to make the most informed and ethical decision. If termination is recommended, we would approach it with great care, ensuring that all voices, especially our Surrogate’s, are heard and respected.

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?

Our goal as parents is to have two children, and we would be open to our Surrogate carrying twins if she is comfortable with it. We fully recognize that a twin pregnancy comes with additional physical demands and risks, and we want to prioritize her well-being. If selective reduction is recommended for medical reasons or if our Surrogate prefers it, we would support her decision and rely on medical guidance to ensure the best outcome for everyone involved.

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. Since Covid-19 is no longer a global pandemic, we do not have a strong preference regarding our Surrogate’s vaccination status. Our primary concern is her overall health and well-being, and we trust her to make the best decisions for herself in consultation with medical professionals.

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

We see ourselves as a supportive presence, ensuring that our Surrogate has everything she needs and can rely on us whenever necessary. Our goal is to build a warm and respectful relationship based on open communication and mutual trust. We want her to feel valued, supported, and appreciated throughout this journey. While we hope to stay in regular contact—whether through messages, calls, virtual check-ins, or even personal visits to her hometown or a location of her choice—we also respect her personal space and preferences. Ultimately, we are flexible and will follow her lead in determining the level of interaction that feels right for everyone.

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

Yes, if our Surrogate is comfortable with it, we would love to be present in the delivery room for the birth of our child. It’s an incredibly meaningful moment and we want to offer our support while also respecting her space and preferences. If being in the room is not an option, we would appreciate the opportunity to be nearby.

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

We are open to maintaining a relationship with our Surrogate after the birth, depending on her comfort level and preferences. We will always be grateful for the incredible gift she has given us and would love to stay in touch in a way that feels natural for everyone involved. Whether that means occasional updates, annual messages, or a more regular connection, we respect her wishes and want to ensure she feels appreciated while also allowing everyone to move forward in a way that feels right.

Would you be open to a home birth?

We are open to a home birth, provided that all necessary medical precautions are in place to ensure the safety of both our Surrogate and baby. We trust medical professionals to assess whether a home birth is a safe option and would rely on their guidance. Our priority is a healthy and positive birth experience for everyone involved.

Are you open to midwifery care?

We are open to midwifery care as part of the overall prenatal and birth experience, but we would prefer it to complement rather than replace obstetric care. Ensuring the health and safety of both our Surrogate and baby is our top priority, so we would like to have medical oversight from an obstetrician while also benefiting from the supportive and holistic approach of a midwife.

Would you like your Surrogate to provide breastmilk?

We do not require our Surrogate to provide breastmilk. Given that we are located in Europe, this would be logistically challenging. While we recognize the benefits of breastmilk, we believe that formula feeding is also a healthy and nourishing option. Our priority is ensuring that our child is well-fed, thriving, and cared for in the best possible way.

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?

As two dads, we believe in being open and honest with our child about their birth story from an early age. We will celebrate the incredible generosity of their Surrogate and Egg Donor, making sure they understand how deeply they were wanted and how many people helped bring them into the world. We would also love to give our child the opportunity to meet their Surrogate and Egg Donor if they are open to it—whether during visits to Europe or when we travel back to Canada. Ultimately, we want our child to grow up with a positive and appreciative understanding of their unique journey into our family.

We would fully support our child’s curiosity and desire to meet their Surrogate. We hope to maintain a positive connection with our Surrogate, making such a meeting possible if she is open to it.

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

Yes, we would like to try again as soon as our Surrogate feels physically and emotionally ready. We understand that an unsuccessful transfer can be a difficult experience, and we want to ensure that she has the time and support she needs before moving forward.

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.)

Yes! Our dream is to have two children, and we would love to embark on a sibling journey if our first surrogacy experience is successful. Ideally, we would be thrilled to work with the same Surrogate again if she is open to it. In terms of timeline, we would want to allow at least a year after the birth of our first child before considering a second journey. However, we are flexible and would prioritize our Surrogate’s well-being and readiness in making this decision together.

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

Our plan is to take a sequenced parental leave to care for our child in the first 6 months after birth, ensuring a strong bond and a smooth transition into our new family dynamic. After that, we will explore childcare options that best support our child's development and well-being, such as a trusted daycare (crèche/kindergarten) or a caregiver. Belgium, where we live, offers great childcare support and solutions, including daycare options from 6-month old onwards. We also expect the support of the child’s grandparents, who would love to be part of this journey.

What does a typical weekend look like for you?

Our weekends are all about intellectual pursuits, culinary experiences, travel, and cherished family time.
We both have a deep love for culture and continuous learning, whether for pleasure or professional growth. Our work in public policy requires us to stay informed, so we immerse ourselves in culture, literature and academic studies to remain at the forefront of current issues. Louis is a nerd for politics, visual arts and pop culture. So we often hang out with our friends to see a movie, a new exhibition or debate about the news and the world! Dani is a bookworm and a fan of design and this passion often takes us to book fairs and antique fairs across different cities. Language learning is another passion—Dani speaks French and Italian and is currently learning Croatian, while Louis is mastering German.
Beyond our intellectual interests, we find great joy in gastronomy. We love exploring local markets, selecting fresh ingredients, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Wine tasting is another shared passion, adding an element of discovery and appreciation to our weekends.
Travel is an integral part of our lives, whether for weekend getaways across Europe or visits to our families in Vienna and Paris. Family is at the heart of our time off, and we make it a priority to reconnect with parents and siblings and create meaningful moments together.
A typical weekend in Brussels would be: shopping (groceries and more) in the morning, brunch together on a terrasse or in a park, sport (badminton for Louis, gym for Dani) and in the evening, hangout with friends at home, at a restaurant or at a cultural event.

What are some of your interests/ activities?

Our main common interest is learning and discovering new things, especially when it comes to culture, politics, society and food.
Louis loves cinema, theatre and comics. He likes visual arts and mind-bending stories. Louis also likes board games and trivia. A passion transmitted by his family and now shared with Dani!
Dani has a passion for literature. He not only reads extensively but also writes and studies the field. Dani also loves beautiful things, antiques, plants or decorations, that can improve our home and wow our guests!

Other fun facts:

We don’t currently have pets, but we are both lifelong dog lovers who grew up surrounded by animals. In the next few years, we hope to welcome a dog into our family—whether a golden retriever or a rescue from a shelter. We look forward to sharing our home with a loyal and loving companion.

We prioritize a balanced diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, following a largely seasonal approach. Both of our families maintain vegetable gardens, and this connection to fresh, homegrown produce has shaped our cooking habits.
Our culinary influences are diverse, reflecting the places we have lived and traveled. Mediterranean cuisine—particularly Italian and southern French—is a staple in our home. Dani, being from Vienna, brings the flavors of Austrian and Central European cuisine, which offers a unique mix of Habsburg culinary traditions. Meanwhile, French cuisine plays an important role in our lives, especially as we frequently spend time in Paris and Charente with Louis' family.
Beyond Europe, we love discovering new flavors from around the world. Our recent honeymoon to Taiwan and Thailand gave us an immersive experience in Asian cooking, including a North Thai cooking class that deepened our appreciation for regional flavors.
We also take great pleasure in grocery shopping—whether at local markets, where we select fresh ingredients, or at specialty supermarkets, where we explore some unique and high-quality products. Cooking is not just a daily routine for us; it’s a passion and a way to stay connected to our roots, our travels, and the cultures we admire.

We take our travels seriously—but mostly in the sense of where (and what!) we’re going to eat. Before any trip, we do a deep dive into the local gastronomy scene so we can make the most of every bite.
We’re also big fans of Eurovision—so much so that we went to Sweden last year to see it live! For us, it’s the perfect mix of two of our favorite things: Europe and pure, unapologetic fun.
As for guilty pleasures: Dani loves watching Formula One with a big bowl of popcorn and very strong opinions about tire strategies. Louis, on the other hand, is a proud solo cinema-goer and tries to catch at least one movie a week—bonus points if it's something moody and/or artsy.

“We’re Dani and Louis, an Austrian-French couple living in Brussels. We got together just before the pandemic, and while that time was difficult for many, it brought us closer and helped shape the strong bond we share today. We got married in the summer of 2024—a day full of joy, sun, and the people we love.
We both work in the public sector, which reflects what we believe in: that everyone can contribute to a more free and caring world. Starting a family feels like the most meaningful step we can take now. We want to raise a child with love, curiosity, and strong values—someone rooted in our families’ histories who can grow into their own person and hopefully give something back to the world in their own way.
We know that surrogacy is a big journey, and it means a lot to us to meet someone who might want to be part of it. If our story speaks to you, we’d be truly happy to connect and see if this could be a good match for all of us.”