Fiona and Oliver

Medical Information:

General Health:

We are in good health!
We are sporty, eat healthy and have been stated "in good health" by our doctors.

Fertility Information:

We are in the process of creating embryos. We are hoping to start IVF in the next few weeks, we are super excited. They will be PGT tested. We are using our own eggs and sperm.

We are willing to do what ever it takes to start our family, so if we need to create more embryos, we are happy to do so.

Fertility Clinic:

Create Fertility, Toronto, ON.

Why are you looking for a Surrogate?

Fi was diagnosed with a complex version of MRKH.
I was born with a uterus, but my cervix was blocked. I found out after I'd had stomach pains for months and in and out of the hospital for months. One day they discovered I had 5 cm dilation, had been having my period for months and was essentially having contractions. An emergency operation followed. I was 13.
The next few years I was on medication to suppress my cycle. I had a reconstructive surgery at 15. After 6 months of rehabilitation, they found the surgery had failed and I had to go back on the medication.
At 18 I had an allergic reaction to the medication suppressing my cycle, which meant I could no longer keep going as I was. I had a hysterectomy 2 months later.

I have known I couldn't carry a pregancy since I was 18. Not until recently - being with Oli - have I wanted to discover our options and did find that surrogacy is the path we want to take.

Tell us about your family & loved ones.

Our parents are super excited! We keep them updated on our journey.
Oliver's parents are super supportive. Floris (his dad) is a baby whisperer. He is calm and seems to have a calming effect on all babies. Victoria (Oli's mum) is the warmest person you'll ever meet. She is not only supportive, but excited beyond measure to be part of our journey.
We sadly lost Fi's dad last year. He was my best friend and greatest supporter. Fi's mum is known as Omi. She has been with me through this whole journey, and honestly wishes she could be our Surrogate herself. She is never more than a phone call away and will be here whenever we let her.
Our parents will need a reminder that they don't live with us. They are already planning to come with us when our children will be born. They are here for all of it!

Charlotte is Oliver's sister and Fi's best friend. She is excited for us, and has claimed the title of favourite Auntie. She looks forward to having auntie days and spending quality time with our kids. She has the biggest heart and is looking forward to sharing her love with a tiny human.
Floris (Fi's brother) and his wife Laura live 20 minutes away. They just had a baby - Josie - who is currently the showstopper in the family. Thye are loving and always stop by for a cup of tea. Just today they asked if they can pick up anything from the store, even though they were severely sleep deprived after a long night with Josie. We can't wait to share this phase of life with them.
Fi's other brother Friso was Oli's best friend. We sadly lost him 2 years ago. He would have been ecstatic for us, just like the rest of the family. He certainly had "crazy uncle" vibes. We miss him every day.

Most of our friends know that we are on this journey, it's not a secret. They are excited for us, and will be ready with all sorts of advice and food when we come home with a little mini Lemstra.

Would you like to attend appointments with your Surrogate?

If possible, yes. Mostly the big milestones.
We are obviously on the other side of the world, but would like to be there whenever possible.

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

We are open to terminating a pregnancy if genetic abnormalities or significant complications are identified. This would be a deeply personal and difficult decision, which we would approach with care, compassion, and medical guidance.

Before changing careers, Fi worked with children with disabilities. That experience gave her an appreciation of the joy and love those children bring to their families, alongside the support and care some children need. We know that we would love any child of ours deeply. Our concern is whether we are the right family to meet those needs and provide the support, guidance, and long-term care our child would deserve. We want to give our child the best possible quality of life, and we believe it is important to be honest about our capacity to do that.

We would assess each situation individually rather than make a decision based solely on the presence of an abnormality. We would want to understand the diagnosis, how certain it is, the range of possible outcomes, the likelihood of pain or suffering, the treatments available, and the level of care our child might need throughout their life. If there were complications related to the pregnancy, we would also consider the risks to our surrogate's health and wellbeing.

We do not have a fixed list of circumstances in which we would definitely continue or terminate a pregnancy. We would be more open to continuing if, after understanding the situation and taking medical advice, we felt able to meet our child’s needs and support a good quality of life. Ultimately, our decision would reflect the specific circumstances, the advice of the medical professionals involved, and an honest assessment of what we could provide as a family.

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 love the idea of having multiples and would feel excited about the possibility. At the same time, our priority would be the health and wellbeing of our surrogate and the babies. We would take medical advice seriously and work closely with our surrogate and the medical team to understand the risks and how to minimise them.

If selective reduction were recommended, it would be an emotionally difficult decision, but we would be willing to follow medical advice to protect our surrogate’s health and give the pregnancy the best possible chance of a healthy outcome. We would want to understand the reasons for the recommendation, the potential outcomes, and any alternatives.

Our surrogate’s health is a priority, and her needs, wishes, and opinions would be central to these discussions. We respect that this is her body and that any decision would require her informed consent. Although we would welcome multiples, we would approach the situation with care and flexibility, prioritizing everyone’s wellbeing.

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

We have both been vaccinated against COVID-19, although we have not kept up with subsequent boosters or regular flu vaccinations. We believe in medicine and support vaccination, but we would not require our surrogate to be vaccinated against COVID-19. We would respect her personal decision and encourage her to discuss any questions about vaccination during pregnancy with her medical team.

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

We would love to build a warm, trusting, and supportive relationship with our surrogate, with open and honest communication throughout the pregnancy. We hope to share in the experience through regular updates and, where possible and comfortable for her, attending appointments and celebrating milestones together.

It is important to us that she feels valued and cared for as a person. We would want her to feel comfortable sharing how she is doing, what she needs, and any concerns she may have.

We would also respect her privacy, independence, and family life. We would discuss what level of contact feels right for all of us and let the relationship develop naturally. Above all, we hope she feels supported, respected, and appreciated throughout this journey.

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

We are comfortable either way and would like to discuss this openly with our surrogate. We would be happy to be in the delivery room if she wants us there or would find our presence supportive. We would be equally comfortable staying outside to respect her privacy and give her the space she needs.

Her comfort is very important to us. We are confident we can agree on an arrangement together, while remaining flexible if her wishes or the medical circumstances change on the day.

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

We hope to build a lasting relationship with our surrogate, staying in contact and visiting regularly, as we travel to Canada every year. She will always hold a special place in our family’s story, and we would love to share updates, photos, and milestones as our children grow.

We love the idea of her being a “fairy godmother”—someone whose kindness helped bring our family into being. Our children will know her name and, if she lets us, they will know her heart, too.

We would want this relationship to grow naturally, with respect for her wishes, privacy, and family life. Our hope is for a warm, lasting connection that feels comfortable and meaningful for everyone.

Would you be open to a home birth?

We would not be comfortable with a planned homebirth and would want the birth to take place in a hospital. Having medical support and specialist care readily available if needed would give us peace of mind.

We would still be happy to support midwifery care within a hospital setting. We would discuss this preference openly with our surrogate from the beginning, while supporting her wishes for a comfortable and personal birth experience in hospital.

Are you open to midwifery care?

We would be comfortable with our surrogate choosing midwifery care, provided it is medically appropriate for the pregnancy. We appreciate the personal support and continuity that midwifery care can offer, and we want our surrogate to feel listened to, respected, and confident in the professionals caring for her.

We would discuss her preferences openly and take the advice of her healthcare team into consideration. Her comfort matters deeply to us, and we would support her choice of a registered midwife if that feels right for her and meets the needs of the pregnancy.

Our priority will always be the health and wellbeing of our surrogate and the baby or babies. We would want to understand how her midwife works with the hospital and other medical professionals, with a clear plan for involving an obstetrician or transferring care if specialist support becomes necessary. We would remain flexible if the pregnancy’s needs change.

For us, the most important thing is that our surrogate receives appropriate, compassionate, professional care and feels supported throughout the pregnancy, birth, and recovery.

Would you like your Surrogate to provide breastmilk?

We would appreciate our surrogate providing some breastmilk in the beginning, if she is willing and comfortable doing so. We understand that the first milk, known as colostrum, contains nutrients and antibodies that can benefit the baby in those early days.

However, this would be a preference rather than an expectation. Her comfort, recovery, and wishes are important to us, and we would not want her to feel any pressure to provide breastmilk or continue for longer than she wants.

We are equally happy to formula feed from the beginning. We would discuss the options together and follow the healthcare team’s guidance to make sure our baby is well fed and cared for.

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

We will tell our child the truth, openly and lovingly, from the very beginning, in ways they can understand as they grow. Mum and Dad had help from a wonderful “fairy godmother” who carried them in her tummy and helped us become a family.

We want our child to know that their birth is part of a story we are proud of. How cool is it to say you were born in Canada? And that your arrival was made possible by the single biggest act of kindness we have ever experienced? That Mum and Dad wanted you so much they travelled across the world to welcome you?

Our child will know our surrogate’s name and, if she is comfortable with it, have the opportunity to know her, too. We will always welcome their questions and make space for their own feelings about their story.

We love that story. It makes us, us.

We hope our child and our surrogate will already know each other long before that question arises. If, for whatever reason, that is not the case, we would happily travel to Canada together to meet her, provided she is willing and comfortable with it.

If meeting her is not possible, we would support our child in understanding that, make space for their feelings, and answer their questions as openly and honestly as we can. We would share everything we know and can appropriately share, while respecting our surrogate’s privacy and wishes.

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

Yes, we would want to try again. We are deeply committed to becoming parents, and an unsuccessful transfer would not change that hope.
The timing would depend on our surrogate’s willingness to try again, her health, her needs, and the advice of the medical team. We would want her to feel physically and emotionally ready, with the time and space she needs and no pressure from us.
We hope to build a relationship where we can share both the highs and the lows, support one another through disappointment, and decide on the next steps together.

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 to siblings—we are here for all of it! Oliver would love four children, so growing our family is definitely on the table. We both grew up with siblings and would love our children to experience that companionship and shared family life, too.

We love the idea of having our children relatively close in age, but we would stay flexible about the timeline. We also need to see how things go for us, settle into parenthood, and find our new balance as a family before taking the next step.

If we build a good relationship with our surrogate, we would love to explore a sibling journey with her, if she wants to. Her recovery, health, medical advice, and personal and family circumstances would all help determine whether and when that feels right. There would be no expectation or pressure from us.

If another journey together is not possible, we would happily jump back into the hamster wheel and look for someone else to help us on our sibling journey. We are in this for the long term, with all the patience, commitment, and love that growing our family will take.

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

We plan to be very involved, hands-on parents and are looking forward to caring for our child ourselves. Fi is self-employed and has a flexible schedule, which gives us room to organize family life around our child’s needs. We also have incredibly supportive parents who cannot wait to be involved and help.

We live in Belgium, where nursery is a common childcare option, and we would consider it alongside the possibility of a nanny. We will see what works best for our child and our family as we settle into parenthood.

We love the idea of our children spending their early years at home, growing up with our dogs, playing outside, and enjoying time with family before starting school. Whatever childcare arrangement we choose, we want them to feel loved, secure, and surrounded by people who care for them.

What does a typical weekend look like for you?

Our weekends tend to revolve around good food, time outside, and enjoying being together. We love the local market in our town and take our time choosing all sorts of goodies. Fi loves to cook, so those finds usually become an epic lunch at home.

We enjoy walks with the dogs and both make time for exercise—Oli rows at the gym, and Fi goes for a run. At home, there is often a game involved, which Oli will lose unless he cheats, followed by a relaxed movie night. Oli also likes to tidy up around the house, while Fi spends the following week looking for everything he has put away.

Our families are not always nearby, so we make time to call and catch up. Some weekends we spend in London or France with Oli’s friends and family. Those visits usually mean long meals around the table, plenty of conversation, and simply enjoying each other’s company. We love having the time to linger, with no particular rush to be anywhere else.

What are some of your interests/ activities?

Oli loves climbing with friends, sailing, and staying fit whenever his schedule allows. He plays chess online with Fi’s brother and several other opponents, and is an avid reader. He loves knowing what is happening in the world, and when something catches his interest, he will happily spend hours learning everything he can about it. This makes him an excellent travel companion—there is usually a fact or a bit of history to go with wherever we are visiting. His family also makes wine, so he knows A LOT about that particular subject.

Fi runs. Apparently. She enjoys staying fit, loves diving—the more sharks, the better—and is happiest in the kitchen when there are bagels to bake or ice cream to make. Her dogs have her whole heart. The two little ones were already with her before Friso passed away, and the three big ones joined afterwards. They mean an enormous amount to her and hold a connection to him, like having a little piece of Friso close by.

We both love travelling and exploring new places together. Africa holds a very special place in our hearts. Fi enjoys amateur photography on our trips, while Oli supplies the facts about the places we visit. When Fi travels somewhere Oli cannot join, she sends him a postcard every single day—a little tradition that lets her share the trip with him, even from far away.

Fun Facts:

We have five - FIVE - dogs. They are the best. Names are cute, but wait until you see the pictures!!
We have Foxy and Fish - Fi's cocker spaniels.
Fi's brother Friso had three dogs - Speedy, Zuma and Tigris (we call her Tiggy). They all now live with us. (Can't wait to show you all the pictures!)

Favourite foods/meals- Vol au vent is always a favourite - a classic Belgian dish.
Oli loves a tuna melt. Fi doens't fully understand. BBQ is always a good idea. So are burgers!!
Fi loves mash and soup. Baby food, essentially.

We have a favourite Chinese restaurant in London. They do a mean sechuan beef.

We both support the Dutch football team, but Belgium versus France is a different story. Fi grew up in Belgium and Oli in France, so on those days we are firmly on opposite sides.

We also leave spoons in unexpected places for each other to find. A spoon in a coat pocket or a desk drawer is our little way of saying “I love you.” It makes perfect sense to us, even if it needs explaining to everyone else.

Oli grew up spending summers in Canada (Prince Edward County to be specific) where his grandparents lived, and his family still visits every year. Camping, sailing on the lake, s’mores—the whole shebang! It is a much-loved family tradition that we would love to share with our children.

Fi has completed two ultramarathons in memory of Friso, raising money for African Parks, his favourite charity. Both happened to fall on Oli’s birthday, but he has been supportive as always. It means a great deal to Fi to have his support in keeping Friso’s memory close and doing something meaningful in his honour.

Oli proposed this summer at sunset in Zambia. Fi noticed he seemed nervous but assumed it was because there were lions nearby. It turns out he was working up the courage to propose. She got there in the end!

Family means an enormous amount to both of us, and our families’ connection goes back generations—Oli’s grandmother was even at Fi’s parents’ wedding. When we first met, Oli was a teenager and Fi was at university. Oli had an instant crush; Fi needed a little more time!

Later, Fi’s brother Friso and Oli’s sister Charlotte began dating, bringing our families even closer. When Friso suddenly passed away, Oli became a light in the darkness for Fi. We jumped into the deep end and went all in. Something beautiful grew out of an incredibly painful time, and we often say we went from one kiss to being engaged. Once we were together, there was never any question.

The best part of our relationship is how much fun we have together. Fi thinks Oli is the funniest person she knows—he is incredibly quick, and it has become her life’s goal to outwit him. We are equally stubborn, which keeps things interesting and occasionally causes irritation, but we always work things through and never go to bed annoyed with each other.

We are close to both our families and treasure time together. We hope to give our children that same sense of belonging, in a home full of laughter, love, and people who show up for one another. We would be deeply grateful to meet a surrogate who feels comfortable sharing this next chapter with us.