In this deeply insightful episode of The Surrogacy Scoop, we sit down with Rachel Goldberg, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Perinatal Mental Health Certified specialist, who brings extensive expertise in surrogacy psychology and reproductive mental health. Rachel explores all the unexpected emotional factors that come with surrogacy from the intended parents' perspective, the surrogate's experience, and the surrogacy agency's role in supporting mental health throughout the journey. She provides real-world examples of how she has navigated unique surrogacy-related challenges, offering practical guidance for managing the complex emotions that arise during gestational surrogacy journeys.

Rachel discusses the psychological preparation necessary for intended parents beginning surrogacy, including processing infertility grief, managing anxiety about relinquishing control during pregnancy, and preparing for attachment and bonding when you're not carrying the baby. She addresses common concerns like fear that the surrogate won't relinquish the baby, worry about bonding with a child born through surrogacy, and anxiety during the waiting periods between milestones. From the surrogate's perspective, Rachel explains the emotional experience of carrying a baby for someone else, how surrogates manage attachment during pregnancy, and the post-birth adjustment surrogates experience after delivery.