When Shaun Thomas, Founder of The Surrogacy Father, first imagined starting a family with his partner Paul, they knew surrogacy would be a challenging yet rewarding journey. What they didn’t expect was how deeply it would shape their definition of love, family, and community.
Shaun, a senior clinical pharmacist living in London, and Paul, originally from Ireland, always knew they wanted children. After ruling out adoption, they spent months researching domestic and international surrogacy options. The UK’s outdated legal framework was too slow. The U.S. was fast—but financially out of reach. Canada’s waitlists stretched 3–4 years. Kenya felt too risky and unregulated.
Colombia, with its ethical, efficient, and LGBT-friendly framework, stood out.
“We didn’t want shortcuts—just a safe, regulated path that didn’t leave us waiting indefinitely.”
Using the same egg donor, Shaun and Paul decided on a double simultaneous surrogacy—two separate pregnancies with one baby each. This minimised medical risks while allowing them to become parents together, at the same time.
They bonded with their surrogates in Bogotá, prioritising strong relationships over transactional arrangements. “We knew our surrogate would forever be part of our family,” Shaun says. Their children are now being raised bilingual, proud of their British, Irish, and Colombian heritage.
From embryo transfers to hormone results, there were tense moments.
“The hardest parts weren’t legal or financial—they were emotional. The waiting. The uncertainty.”
In October 2022, they flew to Colombia, leaving London as two and returning as four. Both babies were born via emergency C-section; their son needed NICU support. The surrogates and their families were a constant presence—offering support, meals, and love.
“It was humbling. These strangers became family.”
A year later, Shaun and Paul used one of their remaining embryos. On the third and final transfer, their third child was born in July 2024.
All children were born via emergency C-section. Both boys needed NICU support, but all three are now thriving.
“Surrogacy showed me that family isn’t just about genetics. It’s about love, intention, and community.”
Through The Surrogacy Father, Shaun now helps others navigate the journey—sharing what he wishes he’d known: expect the unexpected, build support networks, and connect with other parents.
He also advocates for legal reform in the UK:
“Modern families deserve modern laws. Surrogacy should be safe, ethical, and accessible to all.”
Join him at the upcoming Parenting Through Surrogacy panel, where he’ll share more insights, stories, and advice for intended parents.
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