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.
The 33-year-old shares her experience of being a surrogate with her 90,000 followers online and says she “cherishes” the opportunity to raise awareness.
But while she recieves a lot of support, she also recieves a lot of negativity.
And some people even think she is being exploited.
“People either think surrogates are rich and making millions, or we are poor and being exploited,” Ariel told What’s The Jam.
“The truth is, we are just regular women who want to help someone else by carrying their baby.
“Intended Parents are just regular couples who have some form of infertility.”
Ariel, who hails from Ontario, Canada, broke down her experience with surrogacy.
“I have been a surrogate five times and have donated eggs six times – experiences that have profoundly shaped my journey and came from my passion to help others,” she said.
Ariel said her primary motivation was simple – she wanted to help someone else experience the joy of becoming a parent, just as she had.
“The idea that I could give that gift to someone who needed it was incredibly powerful to me,” she said.
“I also really loved pregnancy but knew that I was done having children for myself.”
Ariel gave birth to her now nine-year-old daughter Scarlett in 2015.
Later that year, she started her journey as a surrogate and in January 2016, after matching with a family, she underwent an embryo transfer.
An embryo transfer is a medical procedure that involves placing fertilised eggs, or embryos, into a woman’s uterus. It’s the final step in the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) process.
Sadly, Ariel miscarried the couple’s baby at four months in May.
What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is the name given for a type of pregnancy where a woman carries and gives birth to another person’s baby.
The surrogate mother is then expected to give up the baby at birth, so it can be raised by the couple who originally wanted the baby.
Surrogacy is often an option for those unable to have children themselves, or for same sex couples.
According to surrogacy charity Childlessness Overcome Through Surrogacy (COTS), there are two different types of surrogacy.
- Traditional surrogacy: When the surrogate uses her own egg fertilised with the intended father’s sperm.
- Gestational surrogacy: The surrogate carries the intended parent’s genetic child conceived through IVF, for which specialist doctors are needed.
How are surrogate babies conceived?
In traditional surrogacy procedures, the egg is artificially inseminated using a syringe.
Gestational surrogacy is carried out through IVF.
During this in vitro fertilisation process, the egg is removed from the woman’s ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory.
The embryo is then planted in the surrogate’s womb to grow and develop.
This procedure must be carried out by specialist doctors and the biological mother is required to still have working ovaries.
She gave it a second go with a new couple in the Autumn of 2016 and in August 2017, she gave birth to Baby R.
Ariel went on to give birth to another four surrogate babies, delivering Ari in December 2018, Baby J – Baby R’s sibling – in April 2021, and DJ in July 2023.
“Handing over the baby to their parents was always the most rewarding part of the process,” said Ariel, who works as a fertility therapist.
“I was really lucky that pregnancy seemed to agree with me most of the time.
“It made me feel happier and I didn’t gain a lot of weight or have complications.”
Between pregnancies, Ariel says she made sure to focus on getting back to a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) and staying fit.
She had a total of four C-sections, which is the maximum allowed for surrogacy.
“Despite loving pregnancy, by the time I reached my last, my body was telling me it was time to stop,” she said.
“Recovery was much longer and I was so puffy and swollen and sore, so that was a new challenge for me.
I’ll always cherish the experiences I had. I think I was made for surrogacy. And what a really nice way to use my body for good.
Ariel Taylor
“It was my body’s way of saying: ‘That’s enough’, and I had to accept that it was the end of my pregnancy journey.
“I’ll always cherish the experiences I had. I think I was made for surrogacy. And what a really nice way to use my body for good.”
Ariel has also been an egg donor for six different families.
She says her wider family have been very supportive of her choices and have learned a lot about the process along the way.
And Ariel says her partner Brandon has been “incredible.”
“I’m very fortunate that my partner views surrogacy the same way I do – as a beautiful opportunity to help someone else, and be part of something truly special,” she said.
“He takes on so much during the pregnancy and post-partum and I am so grateful for him and the way he took care of me so I could take care of others.”
Ariel also has positive relationships with all of the families she’s helped and loves being able to watch the children grow up.
“We still chat and follow each other on social media,” she said.
I think many people assume that surrogates feel sadness or disappointment after the birth but for many of us, it’s quite the opposite.
Ariel Taylor
“The connection we share is unique and it’s a reminder of how surrogacy brings people together in such a meaningful way.
“There’s a misconception that surrogates never see the children again but in my experience, we’ve become family friends.
“These children know who I am and it’s wonderful to be a part of their lives in some way.
“I think many people assume that surrogates feel sadness or disappointment after the birth but for many of us, it’s quite the opposite.
“I look back so fondly on my surrogacy journeys.
“Every birth was such a beautiful and meaningful experience – challenging, yes, but incredibly rewarding.”
Ariel now also runs her own platform, Carried With Love, which she uses to dedicate time to supporting those who are navigating infertility.
She also owns Smarter Surrogacy, an educational resource to teach future parents about surrogacy.
At home, she lives with Scarlett, her partner Brandon and his two children – Addison, 15, and 11-year-old Alexis – and their family dog and cat.
“Now, I focus on guiding intended parents as they find their surrogates and helping them navigate the process smoothly and safely,” she said.
“I also personally believe that globally, we can change the narrative of surrogacy to be 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.
“I am hoping that this can change surrogacy not only in Canada but everywhere.”