Emily Westerfield has given birth to 10 healthy babies in the last 13 years, three of whom were her own biological children. She has served as a gestational carrier for the families of the other seven, including two sets of twins. She is now 28 weeks pregnant with her 11th child.
“I’m probably the unicorn in this industry,” Westerfield tells TODAY.com. Her success in navigating the surrogacy process led her to launch her own full-service agency, which assists egg donors, surrogates, and intended parents in their journeys to build families.
Westerfield’s motivation to become a gestational carrier stems from her personal connection with the struggles of infertility. In 2010, she witnessed the heartbreak of her husband’s cousin, who had difficulty sustaining pregnancies. Touched by her cousin’s experience, Westerfield offered to be a gestational carrier for her embryo.
Although her initial offer was met with resistance, Westerfield’s determination and persistence eventually swayed her husband, Max. After completing her own family with the birth of her third child, Charlie, Westerfield actively sought opportunities to assist other families through surrogacy.
She joined an online forum where she connected with hopeful parents and potential matches. After careful consideration, she chose a couple who seemed like a great fit based on personality, age, and location.
The decision to carry a child for another family was not taken lightly; each story was filled with heartbreak and desperation. The couple Westerfield ultimately chose had two children, but the mother had an emergency hysterectomy during the second birth, preventing them from completing their family with a third child.
The moment Westerfield shared the good news with the couple was filled with overwhelming emotions. Using the embryos the couple had created, she delivered a healthy baby girl in December 2015.
“And that’s when everything started,” Westerfield says. Her first successful surrogacy experience sparked a desire to continue helping others, and she has since delivered healthy babies in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022.
As a gestational carrier, Westerfield emphasizes that her role is to provide a healthy environment for the developing child and deliver it into the loving arms of the intended parents. She understands the heartbreak that couples face during their fertility journeys and finds fulfillment in helping them achieve their dreams.
In August 2023, Westerfield established her own surrogacy agency to provide education and support to potential surrogates and intended families. She believes that her personal experiences and insights can empower others in their journeys.
Westerfield emphasizes the importance of careful screening and preparation for gestational carriers. She believes they should complete their own families before helping others grow theirs and that there should be clear communication and understanding between all parties involved.
Despite the challenges of being a gestational carrier at the age of 37, Westerfield is determined to continue helping families for as long as her body and family circumstances allow. She takes pride in the role she plays in bringing joy and fulfillment to others.
